Ecofuel Accelerator is accepting applications for its next cohort. Early-stage cleantech companies have until Friday, November 20th 5:00PM to submit their application for cohort 3 that’s starting in January 2016.

“After a year, the accelerator model developed by Ecofuel is now supported by a wide network a partners in the cleantech ecosystem. Ecofuel is growing very fast and we want to reach and benefit a maximum of cleantech entrepreneurs!”, said Richard Cloutier, strategic advisor at Ecofuel Accelerator.

The four-month acceleration program is targeted for early-stage startups and offers a seed investment of up to $100,000. It involves an intensive program with training workshops, networking sessions and a heavy-hitting mentoring ecosystem. Participating companies will be hosted in a dedicated facility in Montreal.

A group of world-class and internationally experienced mentors and trainers have been recruited to support the development of the participants including: Simon Olivier, Vice President Growth, Market Strategy and Business Development at GE Canada; Jane Kearns, Senior Advisor, Cleantech at MaRS; Jean Lamarre, Managing Partner at Lamarre consultants; Alexandre Taillefer, Managing Partner at XPND Capital; and Tony Van Bommel, Senior Managing Partner, Industrial, Clean and Energy Technology Venture Fund at BDC Capital.

To apply, please submit your project online at ecofuelaccelerate.com.

About Ecofuel

Ecofuel is an accelerator for startups that works with exceptional entrepreneurs in clean technology to help build globally competitive companies. In addition to seed financing of up to $100,000, Ecofuel offers its entrepreneurs an intensive program of training workshops, networking sessions, and an experienced mentor ecosystem. Participating companies will be hosted 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, Innovatech, BDC and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC).

Information

Catherine Bérubé
Head of communications and public relations
cberube@cyclecapital.com
T : 514 495-1022 x 203
C : 514-629-1022

Website : ecofuelaccelerate.com

Twitter : @ecofuelaccelerate

Press release_Application C3

“SabrTech will soon start testing its algae-production product, the RiverBox, marking the beginning of the Halifax-based environmental technology company’s commercialization plan.”

— Sabine Wex, Entrevestor

Ecofuel’s board of directors is proud to announce the nomination of Richard Cloutier as strategic advisor to the cleantech startup accelerator.

“Richard acquired a strong experience in innovation, tech transfer, start-up management, international business transactions and financial strategies, in Canada and abroad. This expertise will be very profitable to the companies selected in the accelerator”, said Simon McDougall, CEO and Head Coach of Ecofuel.

“Ecofuel’s selected companies and the whole cleantech ecosystem will benefit from the experience Mr. Cloutier’s acquired in the high tech biotech cluster. His expertise in biotech is extremely valuable, especially to startups”, said Denis Leclerc, president and CEO of Ecotech Quebec and member of Ecofuel’s board of directors.

Until recently, Richard Cloutier was the President and CEO of the Centre québécois de valorisation des biotechnologies (CQVB) – an innovation and tech transfer organization involved in Biotechnologies, including sectors like Life Sciences, Industrial Bioproducts, AgriFood & Human Nutrition. Over the last 30 years, he has played a significant role in the Life Sciences sector, acting mainly as CEO of biotech companies and in organizations in the public sector, investment manager and research professional. He was the founder and CEO of Gelkem for near 10 years – a private biopharmaceutical company involved in drug delivery systems.

Mr. Cloutier graduated with a B.Sc in biochemistry from Sherbrooke University and a MBA from Laval University. His expertise is requested on different public and private boards and he was part of numerous international business missions and tech transfer projects mainly to promote Quebec’s Biotech innovations (China, India, Israel, France, United States and Germany).

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 $100,000, 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 support entrepreneurs and help in the successful creation and growth of companies.

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

Information:

Catherine Bérubé
Chief of communications and public relations
cberube@cyclecapital.com
T : 514 495-1022 x 203
C : 514-629-1022

Website: ecofuelaccelerate.com

Twitter: @ecofuelaccelerate

Press release – Richard Cloutier nomination

“L’accélérateur Ecofuel, une sorte de FounderFuel pour les start-ups du secteur des technologies vertes, a tenu son premier Demo Day mardi soir. L’événement, qui s’est déroulé à l’Écomusée du fier monde, à Montréal, a permis aux quatre start-ups de la première cohorte de l’accélérateur de se présenter devant un public d’investisseurs.”

—Julien Brault, Les Affaires

“La première cohorte de l’accélérateur d’entreprises vertes Ecofuel passait à la prochaine étape mardi, à Montréal. Ce sont donc quatre jeunes entreprises sur une trentaine de postulants qui ont présenté leur plan d’affaires devant quelque 120 investisseurs potentiels, après trois mois intenses d’ateliers et de coaching. Coup d’oeil sur les projets proposés.”

— Jeff Yates, Journal Métro

Press release

More than 120 investors, entrepreneurs and cleantech ecosystem representatives attended Tuesday night Ecofuel’s first “Green Light Event”, the presentation of the accelerator’s first cohort of companies: Electrocatalysis Canetique, FilmOrganic, SabrTech and Netlift.

“We are very proud of the progress made by Eric Proietti, Michel Lefèvre, Hugo Meunier, Roger Tambay, Mather Carscallen and Marc-Antoine Ducas. The entrepreneurs underwent an intense three-month process with workshops and coaching from our network of top mentors, experts and investors. But it is because of their dedication and hard work that each company is now ready to compete globally”, said Simon McDougall, CEO and Head Coach of Ecofuel.

“Innovation do not exists without the talent and creativity of entrepreneurs. Because ingenious entrepreneurs and good business sense are the keys to develop technologies and change ways we do things, Cycle Capital is very proud to invest in the acceleration of company growth and push towards a greener economy”, said Andrée-Lise Méthot, founder and managing partner of Cycle Capital and chairperson of the Ecofuel board of directors.

“Enerkem was based on a revolutionary idea: manufacturing biofuels and renewable chemical products from non-recyclable waste. This innovative solution is a game changer, as the ones developed by Ecofuel’s entrepreneurs, and this is why Enerkem is proud to support the first cohort”, said Esteban Chornet, cofounder and chief technology officer at Enerkem.

The Ecofuel Accelerator is currently accepting applications for the second cohort of 2015. Early-stage cleantech companies who would like to apply have until Sunday, May 31st at 5:00PM to submit their application for the next cohort, targeted to begin in August 2015.

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 $100,000, 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, Innovatech and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC).

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 northeastern North America. Cycle Capital is composed of experienced 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.

About Enerkem

Enerkem makes biofuels and renewable chemicals from waste. With its proprietary technology, Enerkem converts non-recyclable municipal solid waste into methanol, ethanol and other widely used chemical intermediates. Headquartered in Canada, Enerkem operates both a demonstration plant and a pilot facility in Quebec as well as a full-scale commercial facility in Alberta. The company is developing additional biorefineries in North America and globally, based on its modular manufacturing approach. Enerkem’s technology and facilities help diversify the energy mix and make everyday products greener while offering a sustainable alternative to landfilling and incineration. www.enerkem.com

Information:

Catherine Bérubé
Chief of communications and public relations
cberube@cyclecapital.com
T : 514 495-1022 x 203
C : 514-629-1022

Website: ecofuelaccelerate.com

Twitter: @ecofuelaccelerate

Press release – Ecofuel Green Light Event

Ecofuel Accelerator is accepting applications for the second cohort of 2015 Early-stage cleantech companies who would like to apply have until Sunday, May 31st 5:00PM to submit their application for the next cohort that’s starting in august 2015.

“In addition to receiving support and seed investment, Ecofuel’s Accelerator program gives seed stage companies access to relevant mentors and investors. These resources are rare and precious, and since we are looking for the best opportunities, we invite all the entrepreneurs to submit their project”, declared Simon McDougall, CEO and Head Coach of Ecofuel Accelerator.

The four-month acceleration program is targeted for early-stage startups and will offer a seed investment of up to $100,000. It involves an intensive program with training workshops, networking sessions and a heavy-hitting mentoring ecosystem. Participating companies will also be hosted in a dedicated facility in Griffintown Innovation pole in Montreal.

A group of world-class and internationally experienced mentors and trainers have been recruited to support the development of the participants including: Simon Olivier, Vice President Growth, Market Strategy and Business Development at GE Canada; Jane Kearns, Senior Advisor, Cleantech at MaRS; Jean Lamarre, Managing Partner at Lamarre consultants; Alexandre Taillefer, Managing Partner at XPND Capital; and Tony Van Bommel, Senior Managing Partner, Industrial, Clean and Energy Technology Venture Fund at BDC Capital.

To apply, please submit your project online at ecofuelaccelerate.com.

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 $100,000, 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, Innovatech and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC).

Information:

Catherine Bérubé
Chief of communications and public relations
cberube@cyclecapital.com
T : 514 495-1022 x 203
C : 514-629-1022

Website: ecofuelaccelerate.com

Twitter: @ecofuelaccelerate

 

“La pile à combustible fait rêver depuis longtemps, notamment dans le domaine automobile. Son coût de fabrication élevé en ralentit encore l’adoption par le grand public, mais une jeune entreprise de Varennes pourrait détenir une partie de la solution.

Canetique a été fondée en 2010, à partir d’une technologie développée dans les laboratoires de l’Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS), à Varennes.”

— Jean-François Codère, La Presse

“Le Covoiturage est-il illégal? – Is carpooling illegal?”

— Claude Bernatchez, Radio-Canada – Première

Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner of Cycle Capital Management and Simon McDougall, CEO and Head Coach of Ecofuel have announced the companies selected to participate in the first cohort of the Ecofuel Accelerator.

The companies are Electrocatalysis Canetique, FilmOrganic, Netlift and SabrTech.

Electrocatalysis Canetique is a technology start-up founded in 2010 by Eric Proietti and Michel Lefèvre and located in Varennes, which develops and commercializes a patent-pending disruptive technology to replace platinum-based catalysts in PEM fuel cells with lower-cost high-performance iron-based catalysts. This innovation offers a compelling value proposition for fuel cell OEMs and users, expanding the PEM fuel cell market in numerous sectors.

FilmOrganic, based in Laval and founded by Hugo Meunier and Roger Tambay, develops and commercializes crop-specific, soil-compostable, bioplastic mulch films, geared at increasing yield of field grown produce. FilmOrganic also helps growers simplify their operations by saving time and labour. It is a highly efficient and cost effective solution.

Netlift, founded in 2012 by Marc-Antoine Ducas, is a real-time intermodal carpooling platform that helps daily commuters travel easier. Its technology helps you find a lift to commute from home to work and back again by matching drivers and passengers.

SabrTech founded in 2010 by Mather Carscallen is a Nova Scotia-based cleantech company and developer of the “RiverBox”, an algae production platform technology. SabrTech exists to sustainably solve some of today’s most complex global problems and preserve the ecosystem that we call home. SabrTech designs and develops the next generation of cost-efficient and scalable algae production technology that enable the commercial production of micro-algae world-wide for a variety of applications, from food to fuel.

« The innovations developed by these cleantech companies are competitive on an international level and have the potential to be game changing in their areas of expertise. This is why we are proud to participate in these companies’ growth strategy and support these dynamic and creative entrepreneurs », has declared Mr. McDougall.

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 $100,000, 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 and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC).

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 northeastern North America. Cycle Capital is composed of experienced 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.

Information:

Catherine Bérubé

T: 514-495-1022 X203

C: 514-629-1022

Web site: ecofuelaccelerate.com

Twitter: @ecofuelaccelerate

Press release – Ecofuel First cohort