NGIF Grants launches global cleantech challenge
NGIF Grants, part of NGIF Capital, along with the International Gas Union (IGU), launched March 7 a C$10mn global cleantech challenge.
The challenge is a funding call to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups from around the world with clean technology solutions to attract and access grant funding, demonstration host partners, technology validation and future energy customers in Canada.
“I am excited to see this first-of-kind global cleantech challenge bring startups from around the world to Canada to access the NGIF platform,” said John Adams, CEO of NGIF Capital and managing partner of NGIF Cleantech Ventures. “NGIF Industry Grants and its focus on de-risking clean technologies through field trials and pilots are part of NGIF’s integrated model of industry validation, customer creation, and market commercialisation.”
Each demonstration project undertaken in Canada is eligible for up to C$1mn, representing as much as 50% of a project’s qualifying expenses. Winners of the challenge will be announced at the IGU’s International Gas Research Conference in Banff in May 2024, where participants will have first access to the winning entrepreneurs.
Challenge applications will be accepted from technology readiness level (TRL) 6-8 SMEs and startups in three key investment areas:
Responsibly sourced natural gas
Breakthrough technologies that can improve the environmental performance of natural gas across its value chain. The focus is on leading technologies in areas such as carbon capture utilisation and storage, methane mitigation, energy efficiency, emissions monitoring, waste-heat utilisation, and water management to improve the efficiency and resiliency of the natural gas industry.
Alternate gases
Emerging technologies on hydrogen production, transportation, storage, and end-use and Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) to reduce emissions for the natural gas production, transmission, and distribution network.
Natural gas applications
Innovative technologies, processes, and business models that can create new markets for gas or increase the share of gas demand through heat and power generation, natural gas heat pumps, value-added products, fuel-switching, LNG, and transportation applications.
“Innovation has always been front and centre for the natural gas industry in Canada,” said Tim Egan, CEO of the Canadian Gas Association and chair of NGIF Capital. “Committing $10mn to this global competition is the latest demonstration of this focus, and of the determination to keep the industry in the lead on the global innovation agenda for energy.”
More information, including application deadlines and documents, can be found here.