Canadian expansion is easier than you think—and a smart business move.
With unrivalled market access, a robust support ecosystem, ample funding and investment opportunities, and stable policies, Canada is the strategic expansion hub for international cleantech ventures. In late January, the Foresight-led Canadian Cleantech Gateway Delegation (CCGD)—a group of leading partners, innovators, investors, and ecosystem enablers—showcases our national cleantech strength on the global stage at Cleantech Forum North America, working to attract both innovative ventures and commercial organizations to expand into Canadian markets.
Canada's Key Benefits
Funding Programs
Canada offers a powerful funding model that allows ventures to leverage the $15 billion Canada Growth Fund alongside specialized provincial grants to fully fund the transition from innovation to industrial scale."
Stable Policy Environment
Canada's legislated carbon pricing trajectory and multi-year Investment Tax Credits provide a predictable regulatory framework that secures long-term returns and reduces risk for global cleantech investors.
Strong Cleantech Investment
Canada is consistently ranked second globally for investment confidence with the G7’s lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio with a resilient financial system—recognized as one of the soundest in the world.
Thriving Innovation Ecosystem
With hundreds of market-ready solutions and a world-class network of experts, Canada is a global powerhouse for cleantech innovation and deployment.
Unrivalled Market Access
Canada is the only G7 nation with duty-free access to the entire G7 and European Union, connecting businesses to 51 countries representing 61% of global GDP.
1.5B+ Consumer Reach
15 free-trade agreements provide Canada seamless entry into the EU (CETA), Asia-Pacific (CPTPP), and North America (CUSMA), connecting us with 1.5 billion consumers.
Regional Strengths, National Impact
From coast-to-coast-to coast, Canada is catalyzing cleantech innovation and adoption, excelling across key sectors and industries:
- British Columbia: Hydrogen and fuel cells, natural resource sector decarbonization, digital cleantech and clean transportation
- Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut: Remote/off-grid decarbonization, critical minerals, building efficiency and energy conservation
- Alberta: Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), hydrogen (blue and turquoise), energy transition
- The Prairies (Saskatchewan & Manitoba): Agtech and precision agriculture, critical minerals and metallurgy, zero-emission vehicles
- Ontario: EV battery supply chain, smart grids and energy storage, water technology
- Québec: Clean manufacturing and industrial electrification, green hydrogen (electrolysis), critical materials and battery components
- Atlantic Canada: Blue economy and marine renewables, Forest Bioeconomy, Green Hydrogen/Ammonia Export, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Guided Expansion
Foresight offers multiple programs for international ventures looking to scale in Canada, providing you with the knowledge and skills to navigate global expansion with confidence:
Meet the
Canadian Cleantech Gateway Delegation
Joining the Canadian delegation at Cleantech Forum North America are market-leading partners who provide US and international cleantech companies with the essential tools—from funding access to legal expertise—to efficiently establish and scale their operations in Canada. Each specializes in providing top-tier regional expertise.
Invest Vancouver
Unlocking North America's Pacific Gateway
Invest Vancouver serves as the Metro Vancouver region’s strategic front door for global capital, helping international ventures navigate market entry through tailored business intelligence, site selection support, and direct connections to a world-class ecosystem of talent and industrial partners.
How can they help?
- Market Intelligence: Customized data on regional industry trends, labour markets, and real estate.
- Strategic Connections: Introductions to 23 local jurisdictions, research universities, and industrial hubs.
- Incentive Navigation: Guidance on leveraging federal and provincial tax credits and grants.
- Talent Acquisition: Direct support for utilizing federal immigration programs and regional talent accelerators.
Expand your business to Metro Vancouver. Contact:
Aaron Aerts
Vice President, Strategic Investment
Invest Vancouver
Emissions Reduction Alberta
Invest in Technology
Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) invests revenues from the province’s industrial carbon price into late-stage technology development, offering international ventures non-dilutive funding to de-risk the pilot, demonstration, and first-of-kind deployment of large-scale decarbonization solutions in Canada.
How can they help?
- Funding Scope: Provides up to $10–$15 million per project (typically covering 50% of costs).
- Technology Focus: Targets hard-to-abate sectors, including hydrogen, CCUS, circular economy, and agri-food.
- The "TIER" Link: Funded by Alberta's Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) system.
- Strategic Support: Offers Innovator Support Services to help SMEs navigate the Alberta market.
Expand your business to Alberta. Contact:
Kevin Duncan
Director, Communications
ERA
Heather StephensChief Operating OfficerERA
Chris OwtrimmExecutive Director, Technology and Innovation
ERA
Calgary Economic Development
Connecting you to Canada’s Energy Capital
Calgary Economic Development (CED) acts as a high-impact connector for international firms, providing access to the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF)—a $100-million initiative—alongside specialized trade accelerators and sector-specific "Living Labs" designed to test and scale industrial clean technologies in a real-world environment.
How can they help?
- OCIF Funding: Provides strategic financial support for companies that create high-skilled jobs and drive innovation in Calgary.
- Trade Accelerator (TAP): Helps firms utilize Canada’s 15 FTAs to use Calgary as a launchpad for broader North American and global expansion.
- Living Labs: Provides access to city assets (transportation, infrastructure) to pilot and validate new technologies before full market rollout.
- The Energy Epicentre: Direct proximity to Canada’s largest concentration of energy HQs, providing a ready-made B2B customer base for cleantech.
Expand your business to Calgary. Contact:
Karim Khamisa
Manager, Business Development, Energy & Environment
Calgary Economic Development
Innovation PEI/PEI BioAllance
Accelerate your Growth with Provincial Support
Innovation PEI serves as the province's lead economic development agency, positioning Prince Edward Island as a "living lab" for cleantech by providing international ventures with tax-free development zones, specialized research grants, and a streamlined path to testing innovations within the province’s goal of reaching net zero by 2040.
- Cleantech Innovation Fund: Provides up to $500,000 for R&D projects that enhance grid resiliency, fuel switching, or renewable energy.
- Tax-Free Zones: Access to designated Cleantech Development Zones in Georgetown that offer significant tax incentives for established and growing firms.
- Cleantech Park & Academy: A 60-acre dedicated business park and net-zero Innovation Centre that connects companies with a specialized workforce and academic researchers.
- Labour & Innovation Rebates: Offers a 25% rebate on eligible labour costs and up to $50,000 via the Innovation Fund to commercialize export-ready products.
- LaunchPad PEI: A non-profit incubator that assists with the Start-Up Visa Program, providing a secure anchor for foreign businesses to immigrate and scale.
Expand your business to PEI. Contact:
Eric Cook
Executive Director, Cleantech
PEI BioAlliance
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Expert Legal Guidance for Canadian Scaleup
As a leading national business law firm, Osler's Emerging and High Growth Companies (EHG) Group is central to the startup and venture ecosystem, advising thousands of ventures and investors from inception to exit. With offices across Canada and New York, Osler partners with innovative companies and investors at every stage, providing integrated corporate, financing, commercial, IP, employment, privacy, regulatory and tax support tailored to growth ambitions.
The EHG Group regularly assists US venture-backed companies and funds in establishing and scaling Canadian operations, helping them navigate structuring, governance, incentive plans, Canadian regulatory requirements and cross-border financing dynamics.
Connect with Osler for expert legal advice to guide your expansion to Canada:
Mark Longo
Partner & Co-Chair, EHG
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Justin Young
Partner, EHG
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
