Catherine Bérubé - Cycle Momentum

Ecofuel unveils its 7th cohort

Montreal, March 7, 2018 – Ecofuel, a venture capital fund and specialized and personalized accelerator in the cleantech sector, announces the five companies of the Ecofuel Accelerator Spring 2018 Cohort. Selected amongst 30 applicants, they’re the participants of the seventh cohort of the Ecofuel Accelerator, which will continue until May 2018.

Entrepreneurs from AecopaQ, GiGrow, POTLOC, Senswear and Surveyor.city will experience in the last three months an acceleration program tailored to their needs, which was already a success factor for many companies in the past four years. They will receive mentorship and advice from about forty mentors who are references in cleantech, business, global markets and entrepreneurship.

• AecopaQ: recycled fiber-based food packaging
• GiGrow: injection rotary cultivation system – gigrow.com
• POTLOC: Big data management and analysis for retail – potloc.com
• Senswear: Universal optical sensing technology distribution for harsh environment monitoring – senswear.com
• Surveyor.city: data acquisition platform for the building energy optimisation – surveyor.city

About Ecofuel
Ecofuel is a venture capital fund and a specialized and personalized accelerator dedicated to the cleantech startups. Ecofuel, powered by Cycle Capital, works with entrepreneurs to help build globally competitive companies. Ecofuel Fund invests smart money in seed stage startups that develop and commercializes clean technologies while the Ecofuel Accelerator offers entrepreneurs a specialized and personalized program of training workshops, networking sessions, an experienced mentor ecosystem.

In addition to the funding provided by the Government of Quebec, the Ecofuel Accelerator, founded by Cycle Capital, benefits from the collaboration of Transition énergétique Québec, Écotech Québec and Innovacorp.

Information:
Catherine Bérubé
Head of Communications and Public Relations
cberube@ecofuelaccelerate.com
+1 514 629-1022
Web site: ecofuelaccelerate.com
Twitter: @ecofuelstartups
LinkedIn: Ecofuel

Ecofuel Accelerator announces its 6th cohort

Montreal, December 17, 2017 – Ecofuel, a venture capital fund and specialized and personalized accelerator in the cleantech sector, announces the two companies of the Ecofuel Accelerator Autumn 2017 Cohort. Selected amongst 30 applicants, they’re the participants of the sixth cohort of the Ecofuel Accelerator, which will continue until December 2017.

Entrepreneurs from Biotechnologies Ulysse and Helios UAV have experienced in the last four months an acceleration program tailored to their needs, which was already a success factor for many companies in the past three years. They have receive mentorship and advice from about forty mentors who are a reference in cleantech, business, global markets and entrepreneurship.

• Ulysse Biotech: bacterial solutions for the treatment of plant – ulysse-biotech.com
• Helios UAV: High quality data acquisition solutions by drone for mining industry, geophysics, geomatics, civil engineering and environment – heliosuav.com
Quote
“The Autumn 2016 cohort’s selected companies stand out for their maturity and quality. Through their creative capacity, their vision and commitment, the entrepreneurs will benefit from the mentors’ contribution and advice they’ll receive during the acceleration program,” added Richard Cloutier, president and CEO of the Ecofuel Accelerator.

The Government of Quebec partners with the Ecofuel Accelerator

Montreal, December 17, 2017 – Ecofuel, a specialized and personalized accelerator dedicated to the cleantech companies, announced today, in the presence of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and the Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, Pierre Moreau, the Ecofuel Accelerator received a $5.5M financial support from the Government of Quebec. This partnership comes from the Green Fund and is managed by Transition énergétique Québec, which will also work closely with the Ecofuel Accelerator

Quotes
“Cycle Capital created the Ecofuel Accelerator four years ago with the support of its collaborators and investors. As the president of the Board of directors, I want to thank them for their continued support to startups. Today, the Ecofuel Accelerator is a significant player in the development of cleantech companies. On behalf of the members of the Board, I also want to thank the Government of Quebec and Transition énergétique Québec for the funding announced today, as it will ensure the sustainability of the Ecofuel Accelerator and a lasting collaboration with the entrepreneurs,” said Andrée-Lise Méthot, President of the Board of directors of the Ecofuel Accelerator and Founder and Managing Partner of Cycle Capital Management.

“The Ecofuel Accelerator is now a key innovation player in the cleantech sector in Quebec and eastern Canada. Based on the progress of our alumnis, there’s a real need for a acceleration training program and the Ecofuel Accelerator already has a positive impact on the cleantech ecosystem,” said Richard Cloutier, President and CEO of the Ecofuel Accelerator and Managing Partner of the Ecofuel Fund.

Ecofuel also announced that two companies were selected in the Ecofuel Accelerator Autumn 2017 Cohort. With these current selected startups, since its inception in 2014, the Ecofuel Accelerator has supported 24 cleantech startups from Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes.

About Ecofuel
Ecofuel is a venture capital fund and a specialized and personalized accelerator dedicated to cleantech companies. Ecofuel, powered by Cycle Capital, works with entrepreneurs to help build globally competitive companies. The Ecofuel Fund invests smart money in seed stage companies that develop and commercialize clean technologies while the Ecofuel Accelerator offers entrepreneurs training workshops, networking sessions and an experienced mentor ecosystem.

Ecofuel Fund: $30M to support cleantech companies

Montreal, December 17, 2017 – Ecofuel, a venture capital fund and specialized and personalized accelerator in the cleantech sector, announced today the first closing of the Ecofuel Fund, in the presence of the Quebec’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan and the Fund’s limited partners: Investissement Québec, acting as mandatory of the Government of Québec, BDC Capital, the investment arm of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), Fondaction, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ and the Centre Québécois de valorisation des biotechnologies (CQVB). The Ecofuel Fund, a $30M venture capital fund, will invest seed stage funding in cleantech startups from Quebec and eastern Canada.

Quotes
“The Ecofuel Fund will play a very important role in the Canadian cleantech ecosystem,” argues Nicolas Gravel, Director, Fund Investments at BDC Capital. “It meets the urgent need for funding and support of Quebec and Eastern Canada start-ups in this space. Then when these companies are ready to grow, they’ll be able to turn to investment funds in Canada that specialize in more advanced cleantech companies.”

“Clean technology companies are proposing innovative solutions to today’s challenges and are essential in the fight against climate change. By supporting the Ecofuel Seed Fund, we are continuing our commitment to establishing initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that have a positive impact on Quebec society. We applaud the enterprising spirit and creativity of Cycle Capital Management, which created the Fund,” explained Léopold Beaulieu, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fondaction.

“Québec is full of innovative entrepreneurs ready to confront the challenges of tomorrow’s green economy. The Fonds de solidarité FTQ’s investment in the Fonds Ecofuel is part of our commitment to bringing the capital necessary so that these entrepreneurs‘ dreams can become reality,” said Normand Chouinard, Executive Vice-President, Investments at the Fonds de solidarité FTQ.

“The creation of the Ecofuel Fund fills the gap in the cleantech funding chain. Cycle Capital, as an impact investor, is very happy to welcome a new investment player in the cleantech market and on behalf of its limited partners, offers its full collaboration to the Ecofuel Fund team, said Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner of Cycle Capital, Co-Founder of the Ecofuel Fund.

“The innovative tech companies need funding to overcome the early stages of development. Johanne Sévigny, Managing Partner of the Ecofuel Fund and I join hands to thank our limited partners for the new source of smart funding and additional support they provide to help entrepreneurs grow their companies,” added Richard Cloutier, Managing Partner of the Ecofuel Fund.

The Ecofuel Fund is already operating and will soon announce investments in a few companies.

About BDC Capital
With more than $2 billion under management, BDC Capital is the investment arm of BDC, serving as a strategic partner to Canada’s most innovative and high potential firms. It offers a range of equity, venture capital and flexible growth and transition capital solutions to help Canadian entrepreneurs scale their businesses into global champions. To find out more, visit bdc.ca/capital.

About Fondaction
Fondaction invests in Québec’s SMEs to contribute to maintaining and creating jobs in Québec within a context of sustainable development. It manages more than $1.7 billion in assets from the retirement savings of more than 137,000 shareholders. Through its investments or commitments, either directly or through partner or specialized funds, Fondaction supports the development of more than 1,200 SMEs that contribute in a distinctive manner to the economic, social, and environmental development of Québec, in which there are many social economy enterprises.

About the Fonds de solidarité FTQ
The Fonds de solidarité FTQ is a capital development fund that channels the savings of Quebecers into investments. With $13.1 billion in net assets as at May 31, 2017, the Fonds has helped create and maintain over 186,440 jobs. The Fonds has more than 2,700 partner companies and 645,664 shareholder-savers. For more information, visit fondsftq.com.

About Ecofuel
Ecofuel is a venture capital fund and a specialized and personalized accelerator dedicated to cleantech startups. Ecofuel, powered by Cycle Capital, works with entrepreneurs to help build globally competitive companies. Ecofuel Fund invests smart money in seed and early stage startups that develop and commercializes clean technologies, while the Ecofuel Accelerator offers entrepreneurs training workshops, networking sessions, an experienced mentor ecosystem.

The Ecofuel Fund, a $30M venture capital fund co-founded by Cycle Capital, is funded by Investissement Québec, acting as mandatory of the Government of Québec, BDC Capital, the investment arm of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), Fondaction, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ and the Centre Québécois de valorisation des biotechnologies (CQVB).

Ecofuel Accelerator is now accepting applications for its Spring 2018 Cohort

Montreal, November 02, 2017 – The Ecofuel Accelerator is launching the recruitment for its Spring 2018 cohort. Seed stage cleantech companies have until December 31st to submit their application for the accelerator’s seventh cohort that’s starting in February 2018.

The four months Ecofuel acceleration program offers a seed investment of up to $75,000 and an access to training workshops, networking sessions and mentors who are a reference in cleantech and/or their respective fields of expertise.

To apply, please submit your project online at www.ecofuelaccelerate.com/apply or contact Olivier Gagnon-Gordillo, Operations Director at oggordillo@ecofuelaccelerate.com.

About Ecofuel
Ecofuel is a specialized and personalized accelerator dedicated to cleantech companies. Ecofuel, powered by Cycle Capital, works with entrepreneurs to help build seed and early stage companies that develop and commercialize clean technologies and are globally competitive. The Ecofuel Accelerator offers entrepreneurs training workshops, networking sessions, an experienced mentor ecosystem.

In addition to the support of Cycle Capital, which also founded the accelerator, Ecofuel benefits from the collaboration of Écotech Québec and Innovacorp.

Fourth Edition of the Green Light Event

The Ecofuel Accelerator has now accelerated 16 startups in the cleantech sector

Montreal, December 9th, 2016 – The Autumn 2016 Cohort of the cleantech startup accelerator Ecofuel ended its journey in front of investors, entrepreneurs and representatives of the industry. Entrepreneurs of AEPONYX, ARDA Power, NB BioMatrix, Electrobac and Jaza Energy presented the improved version of their businesses after participating to a tailored program for them in a highly specialized and effervescent industry, and which will play a strategic role in the Canadian economy and for climate change.

During their four months participation to Ecofuel, the selected entrepreneurs were propelled through personalized coaching adapted to their specific needs. They were counselled by forty mentors renowned for their knowledge and their expertise in the cleantech sector.

“The entrepreneurs of every cohort have confirmed to us the added value we bring as an accelerator for the cleantech startups”, says Richard Cloutier, President and CEO of the Ecofuel Accelerator. “Our role will scale up in the future, considering the strategic importance of the cleantech industry in the Canadian economy and for climate change. Our financial support can be used as leverage in the financial plan of the companies, but what continues to really make an impact is our capacity to provide a personalized and specialized framework for our entrepreneurs, with mentors who have significant knowledge and expertise in the cleantech sector and who invest time and energy to discuss with all of them individually.”

“Most of the 16 startups that we have accelerated since the foundation of Ecofuel have reached important milestones. Some have concluded follow-on financings, others have reached critical operational and strategic objectives in pursuing their growth. These are indicators that confirm the significant value add we bring to entrepreneurs with our acceleration program”, explains Mr. Cloutier.

Ecofuel already launched the recruiting process for the Spring 2017 Cohort. Workshops for this fifth group of cleantech entrepreneurs is targeted to kickoff at the end of January.

Ecofuel entrepreneurs’ quotes

“The Ecofuel Accelerator helped us focus on our customer facing and go to market scale-up plan as well as helping us to identify our business plan weaknesses and turn them into strengths.”

– Keith Brunt, Chief Scientific Officer, BioMatrix

“The Ecofuel accelerator connected us to the North American cleantech community. It was a great experience that helped shape how we think about our company. Now we’re ready to take things to the next level.”

– Jeff Schnurr, Chief Executive Officer, Jaza Energy

“The program exceeded our expectations and helped us reposition our value proposition, made our strategy clearer and we are now working on a more focused execution plan.

– Aleksey Toporkov, Chief Executive Officer, ARDA Power

“Working with Ecofuel was a great experience. The program group sessions which were followed with one on one meetings with great and dedicated mentors significantly helped us tune our business plan and our strategy.”

– Philippe Babin, Chief Executive Officer, AEPONYX

“Ecofuel has definitely helped our company accelerate its growth. We were impressed by the quality of the mentors and their willingness to share their broad experience and knowledge.”

– Philip Bénard, President, Électrobac

About Ecofuel

Ecofuel is a startup accelerator that works with entrepreneurs in clean technology to help build globally competitive companies. Ecofuel offers founders and their team an intensive program of training workshops, networking sessions, an experienced mentor ecosystem, and a potential seed financing of up to $75,000, under certain conditions. The objective of the program is to support entrepreneurs and help in the successful creation of companies.

In addition to financial and operational support from Cycle Capital, Ecofuel is also counting on the support and collaboration of Écotech Quebec and Innovacorp.

Ecofuel Accelerator: New Recruiting Process

Deadline for the Spring 2017 Cohort is on December 31

Montreal, November 28^th, 2016 – The Ecofuel Accelerator establishes a new recruiting method for the next cohorts of its acceleration program. Instead of having fixed recruiting periods for every cohort, it is now possible to apply at any time for the acceleration program, and Ecofuel will announce periodically the deadline to remember for participating in a cohort.

For the Spring 2017 Cohort, scheduled to begin at the end of January, the Ecofuel Accelerator announces that it will consider all applications filed before December 31^st at midnight. Early-stage cleantech companies which would like to apply need only to fill in the simplified application form available on the Ecofuel website before this date. Companies who will apply after December 31^st will automatically be considered for the next cohort.

“The Ecofuel Accelerator specialized and personalized program provides access to renowned international mentors and investors to accelerate startups’ development. This combination is precious and rare. The progress and success of our alumni, after participating to a tailored program for cleantech entrepreneurs, are the best indicators of the value we bring to our cohorts. Since we are looking for the best companies, we invite all entrepreneurs to submit their project”, said Richard Cloutier, President and CEO of the Ecofuel Accelerator.

The four months Ecofuel acceleration program will offer a privileged access to training workshops, networking sessions and mentors who are a reference in cleantech and their respective fields of expertise. A seed investment of up to $75,000 could also be offered, under certain conditions.

To apply, please submit your project online at www.ecofuelaccelerate.com or contact Hélène Filion, Operations Director, at hfilion@ecofuelaccelerate.com, or at +1 514 495-1022, extension 212.

About Ecofuel

Ecofuel is a startup accelerator that works with entrepreneurs in clean technology to help build globally competitive companies. Ecofuel offers founders and their team an intensive program of training workshops, networking sessions, an experienced mentor ecosystem, and a potential seed financing of up to $75,000, under certain conditions. The objective of the program is to develop entrepreneurs and help in the successful creation of companies.

In addition to financial and operational support from Cycle Capital, Ecofuel is also counting on the support and collaboration of Écotech Quebec and Innovacorp.

The Ecofuel Accelerator Announces its Autumn 2016 Cohort

Five cleantech businesses will experience a tailored acceleration

Montreal, September 28 2016 – The Ecofuel Accelerator, the leader for the cleantech entrepreneurs, announces the five businesses of its Autumn 2016 Cohort. These five companies selected among 30 applicants compose the fourth cohort of the Ecofuel Accelerator.

Entrepreneurs from AEPONYX, ARDA Power, BioMatrix, Electrobac and Jaza Energy will experience a mentoring program tailored to their needs in the next four months, which was already a success factor for many companies accelerated before. They will be advised and taken care of by about forty mentors who are a reference in cleantech, business, global markets and entrepreneurship.

AEPONYX is the leader in micro optical switch chips design and marketing for greener fiber optic access to the cloud.
ARDA Power is an emerging Canadian cleantech company that uses its patent pending DC-DC converter and DC microgrid control technologies to deliver the first fully plug-and-play system for microgrids using renewable energy.
BioMatrix is actively commercializing NaquaPure^TM, their first nanotechnology product that effectively removes heavy metals from contaminated industrial waste-water.
Électrobac, known for its smart bin network, is an e-waste collection company specialized in small electronics. The company also has a corporate buy back program for used cellphones.
Jaza Energy electrifies last mile communities using centralized solar energy hubs.

The Ecofuel Accelerator continues to innovate and now offers the Ecofuel Initiation Program, aimed at young cleantech companies that just began their operations. Five startups will participate to the program before a future acceleration.

“The number, quality and diversity of applications we received during the selection process demonstrates the entrepreneurs needs for the acceleration stage, says Richard Cloutier, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ecofuel Accelerator. We are particularly proud of the five businesses Ecofuel will accelerate in the coming months. The financial support is strategic, but what really makes a difference is our capacity to provide a personalized approach to meet our entrepreneurs’ needs. Our mentors take the time to discuss with every one of our entrepreneurs during the program. If we look at our alumni companies, we can predict our mentors’ contribution will make a huge difference in the development of these five companies without any doubt.”

“We’re always proud to provide a strategic financial support to the Ecofuel Accelerator and the entrepreneurs participating in their program. The progression of the entrepreneurs in the previous cohorts demonstrates the acceleration program delivers results. We are confident Richard, his team and the mentors, will do a great job with this new cohort”, says Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner at Cycle Capital and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Ecofuel Accelerator.

This fourth cohort will end in December 2016.

-30-

About Ecofuel

Ecofuel is an accelerator for startups that works with entrepreneurs in clean technology to help build globally competitive companies. In addition to seed financing of up to $75,000, Ecofuel offers its entrepreneurs an intensive program of training workshops, networking sessions, and an experienced mentor ecosystem. Participating companies will be hosted in a dedicated facility in Montreal for the duration of the program. The objective of the program is to develop entrepreneurs and help in the successful creation of companies.

In addition to the financial and logistical support from Cycle Capital, Ecofuel is also counting on the support and collaboration of Écotech Quebec, Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), Innovacorp and the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation.

About Cycle Capital Management

A pioneer among Canadian venture capital funds focused on the clean-tech sector, Cycle Capital invests in companies developing and commercializing clean technologies and striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource use, and improving process efficiency throughout a product’s life cycle.

With assets under management of $230 million, Cycle Capital, invests in Quebec and North America. Cycle Capital, based in Montreal with an office in Toronto and presence in New York and Seattle, regroups seasoned investment professionals, strategic advisors and industrial partners with in-depth knowledge of the sector. Cycle Capital has a special relationship with its strategic partners, notably Brookfield Renewable Energy, Rio Tinto Alcan, Cascades, Group M3, Lonza, Gaz Métro, Systemex Énergies, Aluminerie Alouette, and Hydro-Québec. For more information on Cycle Capital visit: cyclecapital.com.

Information:
Mathieu Lavallée
Head of Communications and Public Relations
mlavallee@ecofuelaccelerate.com
+1 514 495-1022 x 203
+1 514 947-7628

Web page: www.ecofuelaccelerate.com
Twitter: @ecofuelstartups
LinkedIn: Ecofuel

The Ecofuel Accelerator is now accepting applications for its Autumn 2016 Cohort

NOTE: the deadline to file an application for the next cohort was extended until July 5 2016.

Montreal, June 13, 2016 – The Ecofuel Accelerator is launching the recruitment for its Autumn 2016 cohort. Early-stage cleantech companies who would like to apply have until June 30^th to submit their application for the accelerator’s fourth cohort that’s starting in September 2016. Ecofuel is taking this opportunity to use a simplified application process.

“The Ecofuel Accelerator specialized and personalized program gives companies access to renowned international mentors and investors, as well as the support of a seed investment to accelerate startups’ development. This combination is precious and rare. The progress and success of our alumni, after participating to a tailored program for cleantech entrepreneurs, are the best indicators of the value add we bring to our cohorts. Since we are looking for the best companies, we invite all the entrepreneurs to submit their project”, said Richard Cloutier, President and CEO of the Ecofuel Accelerator.

The four months Ecofuel acceleration program will offer a seed investment of up to $75,000, and a privileged access to training workshops, networking sessions and mentors who are a reference in cleantech and their respective fields of expertise.

To apply, please submit your project online at www.ecofuelaccelerate.com or contact Catherine Saine, Operations Director at csaine@ecofuelaccelerate.com, or at +1 514 495-1022, extension 212.

About ecofuel

Ecofuel is a startup accelerator that works with entrepreneurs in clean technology to help build globally competitive companies. In addition to seed financing of up to $75,000, Ecofuel offers founders and their team an intensive program of training workshops, networking sessions, and an experienced mentor ecosystem. The objective of the program is to develop entrepreneurs and help in the successful creation of companies.

In addition to financial and logistical support from Cycle Capital, Ecofuel is also counting on the support and collaboration of Écotech Quebec and Innovacorp.

The Ecofuel Accelerator announces its Spring 2016 Cohort

The Ecofuel Accelerator, a reference for the cleantech entrepreneurs, announces the three businesses of its Spring 2016 Cohort. These three companies selected among 28 applicants compose the third cohort of the Ecofuel Accelerator.

Entrepreneurs from Azastra Opto, Kelvin Storage and Lito will experience a mentoring program tailored to their needs in the next four months. They will be advised and taken care of by about forty mentors who are a reference in cleantech, business and entrepreneurship.

Azastra Opto is a business founded in 2013 that focuses on the development and sales of optoelectronic components such as high efficiency optocouplers for hybrid and electric cars and high performance phototransducers for a wide range of applications using optical fiber for power transmission.
Kelvin Storage designed an energy storage unit transforming power produced in off peak hours in high temperature energy to redistribute it in a thermal form. Their system allows a better power supply management and reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Lito makes the first 100% electric luxury motorcycle, the Sora. This vehicle provides a maximum range of 200 km and an impressive acceleration.

“The number of applications we received during the selection process demonstrates the entrepreneurs needs for the acceleration stage in the cleantech sector, says Richard Cloutier, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ecofuel Accelerator. Also, the quality of these applications, even those that were not selected, confirms we are becoming a reference. We are particularly proud of the three businesses Ecofuel will accelerate in the coming months. The financial support is strategic, but what really makes a difference is our capacity to provide a personalized approach to meet our entrepreneurs’ needs. Our mentors take the time to discuss with every one of our entrepreneurs during the program. If we look at our alumni companies, we can predict our mentors’ contribution will make a huge difference in the development of these three companies without any doubt.”

This third cohort will end in May 2016.

About Ecofuel

In addition to the financial and logistical support from Cycle Capital, Ecofuel is also counting on the support and collaboration of Écotech Quebec and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC).

Information:

Mathieu Lavallée
Head of Communications and Public Relations
mlavallee@ecofuelaccelerate.com
+1 514 495-1022 x 203
+1 514 947-7628