“When you’re in an Accelerator, You Should Feel Accelerated”
There’s a core belief that is underlying our work at Foresight Cleantech, a belief that drives us forward and inspires our work with cleantech companies, and it’s this:
…. it shouldn’t take so long to get good ideas and viable solutions out into the market.
We are in a time of rapid change, we’ve signed on to the Paris Agreement, and a climate emergency has been declared - the business as usual approach to technology adaptation isn’t going to work anymore. We have to get solutions to the market faster - it can’t take years or even decades to adapt low carbon solutions into our systems of production, or to find healthier ways to grow food, or more energy efficient ways to transport people and goods.
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Deliver Program - Accelerating Tech
Foresight’s Deliver program is designed to accelerate the process of technology development - to help transform ideas and test products into real, viable products and fast track business development.
Cleantech is leading the way in a new industrial revolution, and is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy - and Foresight's Deliver Program is growing right along side it.
We ran (and yes, it felt like we were running, as the sector is growing so fast and the participation rates were high), 6 full Deliver programs this year - 3 in Vancouver, 1 in Victoria, 1 in Kelowna and 1 in Calgary.
Foresight’s programs are known for how they deliver real (trackable) results - 3000 jobs created, +120 million in funding, +35 million in revenue from the over 300 companies we’ve supported.
The Deliver program includes valuable mentoring and feedback sessions and covers topics such as values, financial literacy, 3rd party vendors, contracts/intellectual property, blue sky thinking, and pitching/presentation skills.
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Best Practices in Program Design = Quality Results
We’re proud of our commitment to best practices in program design, assessment and participant feedback, and our students consistently rank the overall effectiveness of our programs in the 80-90% range.
Here’s what some of our participants had to say:
“CruisiO was in Foresight's Cohort 1 Technology Accelerator Program. The program has been of tremendous value to us on a number of fronts. With access to entrepreneurs in residence, we were able to receive candid feedback and insight into our technology readiness level, we gained new tips and suggestions on how to commercialize our offering, and we received the opportunity to practice pitching our product roadmap and the company itself which has allowed us to refine so many aspects of our pitch. We highly recommend the team that brought put it on and are looking forward to continuing relationships with Foresight and our fellow Cohort 1 members.” - Jay DilleyCruisiO
“I've heard similar material, but it wasn't until I heard it from the Foresight team that things finally clicked.The pacing of the course was just right and I never felt overwhelmed. Even if you have taken the course already, I highly suggest taking it at least once a year to reconfigure your vision and strategy. Thank you, Foresight! - Mike Reina, Therabyte App
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Exciting Times Ahead for Foresight Companies
From 2S Water in Victoria to Origen Air Systems in Vancouver and Audacious Energy in Calgary, these companies have solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems, and it’s been a fun and exciting ride helping them to unfold their visions and get their products to market faster.
Stay tuned for announcements about next year’s programs - we’re not only going to have more regional programs across Western Canada, the demand is growing for more specialized industry or community-specific programs and even more custom workshops.
It’s full steam ahead for technology acceleration in Western Canada - and it’s exciting to see Foresight companies leading the way!
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Tony Dhaliwal
Program Manager
Foresight Cleantech Accelerator
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-dhaliwal-50697866/
Tony has a demonstrated history of working in the renewables and environment industry, and is highly skilled in consulting, operation management, project management, sustainable marketing and education. He is a strong community and social services professional having dealt with a cross-section of individuals and ethnicities. Tony previously worked for G-Pak Technology as a Sustainability Project Manager and at RecycleSmart Solutions as an Operations Manager.
Tony began his educational journey at the University of Calgary where he was on scholarship for the Dinos Men’s Basketball team. He completed his BA Geography and Minor in Sociology at the University of Fraser Valley (UFV). Tony is set to complete his MA Natural Resources & Environmental Studies from the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) in 2019. His thesis research assessed the City of Abbotsford’s waste management program through the lens of intergenerational Sikh families.
