Mike Winterfield

Please join me this July 29 in Olds, Alberta, for the inaugural DiscoveryLab@AgSmart, an AgTech commercialization event being held in conjunction with the AgSmart educational expo. Successfully commercializing AgTech requires: - a viable market, driven by a pressing customer need - a start up with the team, concept, and execution capacity to address that market - capital to build the solution and company DiscoveryLab@AgSmart, a partnership of DiscoveryLabs, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, AgSmart, Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network, and FCC / FAC, brings all the stakeholders together to address all three of these requirements. The DiscoveryLab@AgSmart team has assembled: - DiscoveryLab's proven, efficient, and effective process for driving innovation commercialization. - An opportunity for market validation and customer engagement through AgSmart's Initiator and Exhibitor Programs. - Immediate access to the advisory, demonstration, and validation (Smart Farm, Technology Access for Livestock Production) capacities of Olds College. - Participation of the relevant Innovation Institutions, Communities, and Educators. DiscoveryLab@AgSmart offers a time and cost efficient opportunity for AgTech investors to: - discover investment opportunities - secure independent and informed company evaluations - observe real-time market validation with actual customers DiscoveryLab@AgSmart is the must attend event for AgTech investors. Registration for the day is $49.00, includes lunch and a reception, and can be completed at https://lnkd.in/gUhFt2qd.

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IGA Extra 🏬 Rooftop Farming 🚜 Growing Tomatoes 🍅 Garlic 🧄 Flowers 🌹 Eco Friendly 🍀 Cooling Rooftops 🛖 Using Waste 🗑️ Water💧Using Sunlight 🌞 Eco Friendly Systems ♻️ #technology #innovation #environment Ecomedy #Releaf #sustainability #technology #innovation #sustainablefuture #ecofriendlyinnovation #paperrevolution #success #recycling #environment #energy #construction #ecosystem #technology #Innovation #future #engineering #education #creativity

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I'm thrilled to share that PULP SHRED's story is featured in INNOVATE Alberta! The article perfectly captures our mission: secure document shredding that's kind to the planet. At Pulp Shred, we're changing how document destruction is done. We don't want shredding to hurt the environment, so we found a way to do both security and sustainability right. We built a business model that follows the #TripleBottomLine - making sure our work is good for our company, society, and the environment. We're rewriting the story of security shredding. It doesn't have to mean filling landfills anymore! Pulp Shred saves over 1,700 trees a year and cuts down on CO2 emissions, and the INNOVATE Alberta article did a great job highlighting that impact. This recognition shows how important it is to handle data securely while caring for the environment. We want to prove that every business decision can be a step towards a greener future. P.S With Pulp Shred, sustainability is built right into secure document management. Sven Boermeester Brahm Glickman Carel Van Graan #alberta #innovation #calgarybusinesses

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How do landscape businesses navigate the complexities of digital marketing for sustainable growth? Avi Kumar, CEO of KUWARE Inc., underscores the importance of blending organic and paid media strategies, starting with the essentials: "First, you need a digital home - a website and Google listing - then the question becomes how to get business." He highlights the necessity of a robust digital presence, comparing organic search to the unpredictability of "rain" and paid media to supplemental "irrigation" systems that ensure consistent visibility and growth, ensuring long-term success. Listen to Robert Clinkenbeard's conversation with Avi to explore how a data-driven approach can transform your landscaping business. #360Solutions #ThoughtLeaders #PowerofPeerGroups #BrandAwareness

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Calgary's tech ecosystem is thriving and home to a growing number of innovative startups and tech companies, with notable strengths in cleantech, fintech and agtech. Calgary's entrepreneurial spirit, access to venture capital, and high quality of life are attracting talent and investment, solidifying its position as one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the world. The Start Alberta Deal Flow database has tracked $3.3B raised in capital across 449 rounds since 2020 in Calgary tech and innovation companies. So far this year, Calgary tech companies have raised $424M and include: • ClearSky Global: $168M USD Early VC • Black Owl Lease Accounting: $400K Seed  • EnviCore Inc. $3M USD Seed • Orpyx®: $20M USD Growth Equity VC • Ayrton Energy: $6.8M USD Seed • Syantra Inc.: $4.9M Seed • FLORA (Flora Fertility) : $1.5M USD Seed • CruxOCM: $17M USD Series A • sylvester.ai: $1M Seed • RocketFrac Services Ltd.: $73.5K USD Early VC • CreditApp: $2.7M Seed • Memory Anchor: $800K Seed • Willow Biosciences Inc: $3.1M Private Placement VC • ResVR: $1.7M USD Seed • Home Spritz: $250K USD Seed  • Hazel Trade: $100K USD Seed • Blackline Safety: $10M USD Private Placement VC • Bōde: $4M Seed • FluroTech: $22M Private Placement VC • Vivid Theory: $4.6M Seed • Galatea Technologies: $2.7M Seed • ApartmentLove Inc.: $300K Private Placement VC • ZayZoon: $15M USD Series B  • Virtual Gurus: $3.4M USD Convertible  • RetinaLogik: $780K USD Seed • PayShepherd: $7M Seed • Helcim: $27M Series B • OpenHouse.ai: $1.5M Seed • Nimble Science: $1.4M USD Seed • CNERGREEN: $2M USD Seed See all investments in Calgary tech companies in the Start Alberta database: https://lnkd.in/gRRfyZxT Calgary Economic Development #AlbertaTech #Alberta #ABTech #Calgary #YYC #YYCTech #CalgaryTech #Startup #Founder #Investor #StartUpEcosystem #Funding #Investments #DealAnalysis #VentureCapital #VC #GrowthCapital #TechCommunity #StartUpEcosystem #Entrepreneur #Tech #Innovation

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The Canadian government’s 2024 budget released Tuesday included a proposal to increase the capital gains inclusion rate We weren’t going to write about this (we had a ton of funny jokes instead), but we received several notes from cleantech founders saying this would be a severe deterrent to cleantech growth in Canada. Cleantech remains one of the fastest-growing venture categories globally. This means the decisions on where companies are built are happening now, vs more mature sectors or where growth has slowed. The policy changes countries make today will impact which countries are leaders in cleantech. Canada talks about being a leader, but this is the latest in a string of decisions that will make it more challenging to build tech companies here vs. the US and the UK. Take a look at our newsletter in comments to get a breakdown of the details and what we believe the excepted impacts are, from hiring delays to new business formation.

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If you are interested in marketplaces then come to Platform Calgary this Thursday to hear how specific parts of the Fuelled platform drive emissions reductions A couple of the interesting themes often underappreciated are below Equipment for everything from power projects to agriculture is one of the largest markets globally - inefficient equipment markets result in equipment sitting unused in a yard while the company next door might order the exact same thing due to lack of data (that costs companies money and drives emissions) Better equipment data and visibility supports leasing for bespoke equipment - a lot of cleantech equipment gets higher rates because banks just haven’t seen it as much and don’t know what the salvage value is - better markets support new efficient equipment used in everything from oil and gas to solar Brownfield sites have a better chance of being repurposed when there is an active market for the legacy equipment (closes bid ask spreads and brownfield sites are increasingly critical for everything from carbon capture to biodiesel) Markets that reduce waste in large supply chains make immediate differences today, and it’s an exciting part of the space to play in

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Foresight Canada offers business cases that justify #cleantech solutions for industry. LEARN MORE » https://lnkd.in/gkRtZ272 “This research proves a profitable business case for deploying innovative solutions in large-scale operations [...]” said director of research Alyssa Kelly. #WaterManagement #energystorage #netzero

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🚀 AEC Backs Pender Ventures with $100M Fund for Canadian Tech Growth 🚀 Alberta Enterprise Corporation (AEC) has taken a significant step to advance Alberta’s tech sector, becoming a key investor in Pender Ventures' Technology Inflection Fund II LP, which recently closed at over $100 million. This partnership supports AEC’s vision to accelerate Alberta’s innovation ecosystem, particularly in health tech and B2B, as Alberta sees rapid growth in tech startups. With a strong network of investors and the guidance of leaders like Maria Pacella at Pender, AEC is driving real change in Canada’s tech landscape. 🔗 Discover how this funding will shape Alberta’s tech future and strengthen Canada’s global innovation footprint. #TechInvestment #HealthTech #Innovation #Alberta #cdntech

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Exciting updates from today’s Government of Canada announcement! 🇨🇦 https://lnkd.in/gF76Gy6K 💚 One of the standout aspects for me is the inclusion of transition economic activities, broadening the focus beyond just “green” initiatives. This more inclusive approach will empower industries to evolve sustainably while recognizing the complexities of transformation. Additionally, aligning private companies with the financial disclosure requirements of public companies is a crucial step forward in enhancing transparency and accountability across the board. For us at 7 Centre, we’ve been preparing to support businesses of all sizes as they gear up for the information needed to access government incentives. For SMEs in Canada, these guidelines are particularly important because they open up opportunities for green financing and low-carbon projects. Businesses that align with these standards can secure new funding, enhance competitiveness, and contribute to decarbonizing high-emission sectors. There’s still much work ahead, but this is a pivotal moment for Canada’s economic resilience and sustainability. Government of Canada Connect with our team today, and Open to the World! https://lnkd.in/gGJFZeGF https://lnkd.in/gFbbj_AZ

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THERE'S A UNIQUE ALBERTA ADVANTAGE INTERSECTION ON THE PROVINCE'S FUTURE PATHWAY... It's the crossroads at which the #energy industry meets the #agrifood sector beyond which the two navigate forward collaboratively to define a next-generation Alberta Advantage. A key trans-sectoral focus? Awareness through advocacy and education. While in many ways the energy-agrifood interface is as old as the province itself, it has been largely transactional and in the shadows. Ask ten Albertans who is among the largest consumers of natural gas is and nine will be hard pressed to answer: the fertilizer sector. Yes, Virginia, methane is a key input into our food system as an input into the products farmers use to keep our plates full. We need to "know better" as Albertans if these realities are to translate into a better economy and better environment. But thanks to the work we're doing at Agriculture for Life, the sectors are pivoting from the transactional to the strategic. In the process, we're creating a foundation for a future that focuses on the twin pillars of energy and food security and stability of supply -- while enabling a highly resolved focus on climate and environment imperatives. Tomorrow night, at the Agriculture for Life annual Harvest Gala at Heritage Park Historical Village, we're pulling the covers off a unique strategic advisory body comprised of 30 leaders from both sectors. Their role is to guide our board of directors toward initiatives and efforts geared toward education, literacy, and critical thinking. The concept will be brought to life through questions I will put to Glenn Logan of Wheatcrest Farms and Scott Van Vliet, of the Sheppard Creek Cattle Company. Glenn's a fellow board director and both he and Scott sits on the advisory committee -- and both live and work simultaneously in both sectors. That conversation will be reinforced by subsequent perspectives offered at the Gala by key post-secondary leaders like fellow director Stuart Cullum of Red Deer Polytechnic and Brad Donaldson EdD of Lethbridge Polytechnic We're also pleased to welcome a great contingent of energy folks who are members of the Canadian Energy Executive Association, an organization that shares Agriculture for Life's advocacy and education values. Lisa Mueller Mark O. Brian Hamm Jason Sharpe Tim McMillan Luree Williamson Hon. Ted Menzies, P.C. David Hood RJ Sigurdson Rajan Sawhney Brian Jean Rebecca Schulz Rose Lecky Megan Croft John Cassidy John Hartnett Doug M. David Hughes Nick Betts Liam Whitelaw, PMP Scott Bolton Selene Munro Nate Glubish Nathan Neudorf

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How can businesses better account for ecosystem services in Canada and beyond? 🌍🇨🇦 At Greene Economics, LLC, we know that truly sustainable business practices depend on understanding the full range of environmental impacts—especially ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, pollination, and stormwater management. In 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮 🇨🇦, frameworks like Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Environmental Social Governance (ESG), B Corps, and Multiple Account Evaluations (MAE) are helping businesses and governments incorporate these ecosystem services into decision-making. While these frameworks are growing in prominence in Canada, there are important lessons for organizations worldwide on strengthening their sustainability practices. Sabine Postma, an environmental scientist at Greene Economics, will be presenting at #ACES2024 this week, exploring how Canadian frameworks can help businesses better account for ecosystem services—and how organizations can integrate these approaches into their own sustainability efforts. Sabine will explore frameworks like: 1. 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 (𝗧𝗕𝗟) 🌱💰: A broad approach that encourages companies to evaluate their impact on People, Planet, and Profit, though it can lack detailed metrics for ecosystem services. 2. 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 (𝗘𝗦𝗚)🌎⚖️: A tool for assessing environmental and social impacts, but often missing certain intangible ecosystem services. 3. 𝗕 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻♻️🌿: A rigorous certification requiring businesses to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, but lacks the flexibility needed to capture less tangible ecosystem services. 4. 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (𝗠𝗔𝗘)📊🌳: A framework used primarily in Canada 🇨🇦 to evaluate project alternatives, considering financial, environmental, and social impacts, but needing more standardized methods to account for ecosystem services. 👉 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 in your sustainability efforts? Are you using any of these frameworks or others to assess environmental impact? 👇Share your thoughts below or reach out to explore how Greene Economics can help integrate ecosystem services into your projects. #EcosystemServices #ESG #EnvironmentalImpact #SustainabilityStrategy #NaturalCapitol

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Cleantech in Canada remained steady last year, with over $1 billion invested in #cleantech companies and startups. The Foresight Canada 50 list showcases Canada's most investable cleantech companies, demonstrating our progress in areas like emissions reduction and food security. https://lnkd.in/gaMtBWZE

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Our sister solution space, Canadian Alliance for Net Zero Agri-Food (CANZA) by Generate Canada, was on the main stage at last week’s Sustainable Finance Forum. Geoff McCarney of Smart Prosperity Institute moderated a thought-provoking discussion on cultivating investment in sustainable agriculture. Top three insights that stood out to us:  💡 Alison Sunstrum of CNSRVX-Inc and The51: Spoke about the $10T/year opportunity in transforming agriculture systems and outlined five pillars for systemic change: innovation, investment, policy, collaboration, and standardization. 💡 Charlie Angelakos of McCain Foods: Vehicles like CANZA allow us to come together across the supply chain in a pre-competitive space, allowing us to share best practice and get to a better place. It is not about a competitive advantage for any one organization, but rather it is about working together and working with the farmer-base. Otherwise we will be dead in the water from a business perspective,  and most importantly, when it comes to feeding our world. Farmers cannot bear the burden of transition alone. 💡 John Stackhouse of RBC: Farmers are already doing good work, just not being rewarded for it. We know a certain number of practices have soil carbon capturing potential, so let’s not wait for technology to prove that for a check to be written. Let’s get on with a comfort of, say, 80%. We need to be time-minded so we can meet the urgency. Investing in sustainable agriculture is an important part of conservation finance, and we are pleased to see the momentum as the conversation takes to the mainstage. ✨ #sustainableagriculture #conservationfinance #sustainablefinance

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💡 Did you know? By 2030, AI's transformative potential is expected to increase data-center power demand by 160%, that's equivalent to Canada's total electricity consumption. 🤯 Bridging this gap is crucial for sustainability, and at Sodaclick, we have been tackling this challenge head-on by testing our #ConversationalVoiceAI solutions on different operating systems and devices and analysing the results for optimum performance and efficiency. The results have been outstanding, and at Sodaclick we saw an 8.2x average performance boost with Voice AI on ChromeOS. 👏 Notably adding that ChromeOS devices consume 46% less energy than other comparable competitor devices, this combination not only enhances customer interactions and improves performance but also promotes #sustainability. 🌱 Key benefits include: ✅ Enhanced Efficiency: AI automates routine tasks and analyses data to enhance decision-making, reducing operational costs and improving service speed. ✅ Sustainability: ChromeOS devices consume less power and require less maintenance, promoting a sustainable tech environment. ✅ Scalability: ChromeOS allows centralised management, making it easier to scale operations securely across multiple locations. ✅ AI Performance: With an 8.2x average performance boost with our Voice AI on ChromeOS, we can ensure reduced wait times, operational efficiency, and enhanced customer satisfaction. ChromeOS & Chrome Enterprise #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Sustainability #TechInnovation #ChromeOS #EnergyEfficiency #GreenTech #DataCenters #TechPerformance #CustomerExperience #VoiceAI #Sodaclick #FutureTech #TechTrends #SustainableTech #ConversationalAI #ConversationalVoiceAI #Future #IoT #FutureProof #TechStack #LessEnergy #LessPower

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Glitter Parade is leading us to Net NoWHERE Fast! RESTRICT USE OF GAS FIRED HEATING EQUIPMENT??? AND PHASING OUT THE SALE OF FOSSIL-GAS FIRED HEATING?? AND HOT WATER EQUIPMENT??. better learn to service yours CANADA Make sure to visit TAF Canada to find out all the PATHs TO NETZERO. nothing in it for you. they have youtube videos discussing their numbskullery https://lnkd.in/eSUuF7HZ Use federal regulations to restrict the use of gas-fired heating equipment Priority Actions Restrict the use of fossil gas heating equipment in new construction Require all new central air conditioners to have heating capabilities (i.e. be heat pumps). See specifics from Efficiency Canada’s 2023 report “The Cool Way to Heat Homes”.. Establish a 2030 timeline for phasing out the sale of fossil-gas fired heating and hot water equipment Impacts A growing number of countries have passed regulations phasing out gas fired heating equipment, as has the province of BC. Policy certainty is needed to allow manufacturers, distributors and installers prepare for the transition to electric heat pumps and other non-fossil alternatives. Clear regulatory signals will also limit investment in stranded assets and ensure decarbonization happens in the most cost-effective way possible –at time of construction or HVAC replacement. Heat pumps also provide high efficiency cooling, which protects the health of Canadians during increasingly frequent extreme heat events. Glitter parade is leading us to Net Nowhere Fast.

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Event Alert! Scaling Deep Tech for a Decarbonized Future 📅 October 23, 2024 📍 Platform Calgary, Alberta Calling everyone interested in #cleantech! Deep Tech Energy is bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to showcase Canada's advancements in sustainable, green technologies. 🌍⚡ Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect, learn, and lead the way in building a sustainable future! 🌱 Featured Topics: 🔹 Industrial Decarbonization: Roadmaps, Requirements, and Vision 🔹 Globalizing Decarbonization Tech: Bringing Innovation to Global Markets 🔹 De-risking Investments: Navigating Material Standards & Regulations 🔹 Cellulosic Nanomaterials: The Future of Sustainable Resources 🔗 Register now: https://deeptechenergy.ca/ #CleanTech #DeepTech #Sustainability #Decarbonization #Innovation #GreenTech

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Unlock your municipality's revenue potential with the Accela Civic Platform! By streamlining operations, digitizing processes, and enhancing compliance, Accela helps local governments optimize workflows and create new revenue streams across sectors like building, permitting, business licensing, and more. Discover how Accela and 3SG Plus can transform your revenue generation strategy while improving service delivery. https://lnkd.in/gFmREjHS #SmartGovernment #MunicipalTech #GovTech #DigitalTransformation

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