gcfa-comp-project

Objective

• Climate Impact Monitoring– Provide continuous, real-time data to better track and adapt to the impacts of climate change
• Community Empowerment – Create local employment opportunities and ownership of data resources
• Sustainable Business Model– Create revenue generating opportunities for local communities through data sales and the trading of carbon/biodiversity credits, while building local capacity

Opportunity

For Investors

• Tangible Assets– Investors own the deployed kits that generate ongoing revenue.
• Scalable Impact – Expansion to more locations increases revenue potential.
• Dual Returns– Financial gains (estimated 17% IRR) alongside measurable climate and social impact.
• Growing Demand– Rising global need for real-time climate data and resilience solutions.
• Low risk– Proven technology with a pilot in the Bahamas

Climate and socio-economic impacts

• Empowers women and youth entrepreneurs and increases access to revenue-generating opportunities in emerging markets.
• Facilitates technology and knowledge transfer between Canada and Africa, paving the way for scalable, bankable climate finance projects.
• Connects high-impact emerging market initiatives with global capital to advance both climate goals and inclusive economic development.

Objective

To diversify investment risk and increase the chance of investing in winning technologies focused on industrial electrification.

Opportunity

For investors

Investing in a portfolio of deep technologies at the commercial demonstration stage, rather than placing all bets on a single technology, offers significant advantages by spreading risk across multiple potential innovations. While one specific technology may align with the right industry, the uncertainty inherent in early-stage development means there is always a chance that a promising solution may not deliver as expected.

By diversifying investments across several technologies, investors increase their chances of backing the one that succeeds, ensuring they secure equity in the breakthrough that ultimately works. This approach not only mitigates the risk of betting on the wrong technology but also allows the investor to benefit from the upside potential of multiple technologies, increasing the likelihood of finding a winner in a high-risk, high-reward field. It offers a more balanced approach to navigating the uncertainties of emerging industries, especially in complex sectors like deep tech.

Climate and socio-economic impacts

• Bridges gap between traditional venture capital financing models (high-growth, scalable startups, with a 3 – 7 investment horizon) and the large capital investments and extended development timelines, which can be as long as 10-15 years due to the complex and time-intensive nature of developing and commercializing breakthrough technologies.
• Address climate change and advance manufacturing innovation while driving economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness

Objective

To develop late stage, clean energy projects that benefit tribal communities.

Opportunity

• Untapped potential – Reaching 90% or more carbon-free electricity by 2035 — a key element of achieving a clean energy economy — would require 60-70 GW of new renewables per year over the next decade, as well as other forms of carbon-free power in the US. Figure 2-3 illustrates the growth in renewables, particularly solar and energy storage, in the US.
• Green economy – According to Deloitte, clean energy jobs represented more than half of energy jobs added in 2023, with hiring for renewable energy — particularly solar — at twice the levels of the fossil fuel industry.
• Market demand – 2024 saw 100% clean electricity commitments and enhanced vehicle emissions standards at the state level.
• Vermont updated its renewable portfolio standard to require that utilities achieve 100% clean energy by 2035.
• Maryland’s governor signed an executive order requiring the state to develop a framework for a 100% clean energy standard by 2035.
• Massachusetts passed a climate omnibus bill that is, in part, intended to accelerate clean energy deployment through permitting reform.

Climate and socio-economic impacts

• Reduces risk of stranding renewable energy assets
• Enhances energy resilience in disadvantaged communities
• Creates revenue-generating opportunities for Indigenous communities
• Replicable across the country with opportunities to acquire additional assets from established developer
• Presents cross-border (US/Canada) collaboration opportunities

Objective

To convert underutilized warehouse rooftop spaces into productive energy-generating areas by installing solar panels, thereby helping small and mid-size businesses reduce their reliance on grid electricity, lower utility costs, and decrease carbon emissions.

Opportunity

• Untapped potential – Ontario has 14 GW of rooftop solar potential, yet only a fraction has been developed. There is a massive opportunity to invest in a first-mover advantage and scale projects across C&I space.
• Green economy – The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 could create 14 million new clean energy jobs by 2030.
• Market demand – Rooftop solar is projected to grow 20-40x by 2050, driven by corporate PPAs, energy cost savings, and net-zero commitments. With the right policies, Ontario could see a sharp uptake in the solar capacity, making private investments highly profitable.
• Climate goals – To meet net-zero emissions by 2050, Canada must scale clean energy production. Behind-the-Meter (BTM) solar could contribute 24–48 TWh annually, helping decarbonize industries and reduce grid dependency. Investors in private solar projects will play a key role in the energy transition.

Climate and socio-economic impacts

• Helps SMEs undertake climate projects without adding financial strain to their balance sheets.
• Reduces the fiscal burden on governments for national decarbonization by attracting private capital.
• Enhances climate resilience and economic competitiveness with potential revenue streams.
• Replicable across countries as well as in emerging markets, particularly those without access to clean grids.