British Columbia has the people, ideas and resources to address global challenges, while building the local economy. To support B.C.’s boldest and brightest changemakers, the Government of Canada is making strategic investments in businesses that are catalysts for Canadian-made innovation with growth potential beyond our borders.
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), has announced an investment of almost $13 million in PacifiCan funding to help seven Lower Mainland businesses propel the B.C. economy forward.
This includes over $5.8 million for four businesses through PacifiCan’s Jobs and Growth Fund and over $7.1 million for three businesses through its Business Scale-Up and Productivity program.
Many of the funding recipients are in zero waste and clean tech industries that are expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, enhancing online sales technology for used EVs, treating wastewater, and repurposing organic waste into commercial products like cat litter and organic fertilizer.
The projects announced include:
Business Scale-Up and Productivity
Saltworks – $4,800,000
Funding will help scale-up the company’s operations and advanced technology, which treats industrial wastewater and water used in processing lithium – a major component needed for car batteries in electric vehicles and key for the transition to clean energy. Saltworks will expand its current facility, hire new employees, improve manufacturing efficiency, expand sales across Canada, the United States and South America, and build after-sales support.
BQE Water – $1,725,000
Funding will help the company to scale up its capacity and to commission multiple mining wastewater treatment plants concurrently. BQE Water will recruit, hire and train new staff, travel to job sites for plant commissioning and operation, and market its services at industry conferences.
LeadingAhead Energy – $592,750
Funding will be used to scale-up the company’s advisory services for electric vehicle charging stations. With this funding, LeadingAhead Energy will purchase equipment, hire staff, and market their services across Canada and the United States.
Jobs and Growth Fund
Lucid Vision Labs – $552,500
Funding will help the company to scale-up manufacturing of its compact, high performing cameras, used in applications like factory automation. This investment will almost triple the size of Lucid Vision Labs’ production facility in Richmond and allow it to keep up with demand and create new jobs.
Anaconda Systems – $2,500,000
Funding will allow the company to scale-up its innovative composting system, which quickly turns waste into organic fertilizer. Anaconda Systems Limited will also expand and market its waste solution across North America, resulting in less waste in landfills.
MintList – $2,000,000
Funding will help scale-up and enhance the company’s online automotive marketplace (which includes the largest inventory of inspected, certified, pre-owned electric vehicles in B.C.) with new cybersecurity measures and automation tools. To achieve this, MintList Technologies will hire new staff, build new platform features and launch marketing campaigns to grow its customer base.
Tuft and Paw – $750,000
Funding will help the company scale up sales and marketing of its eco-friendly cat litter subscription service. The litter is biodegradable and made from soybean husks, a byproduct of producing tofu. With this support, Tuft and Paw will attend trade shows, develop their mobile app and promote their products to new markets.
In all, these investments are expected to create over 300 jobs and almost $350 million in expected revenue growth for B.C. businesses.
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