VANCOUVER, B.C., SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 – Through the BC Fast Pilot program, Innovate BC and the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) are jointly investing $1.5M to support eleven B.C.-based companies advance new technologies addressing a wide-range of climate- and environmental-focussed areas of impact including wildfire management, household energy costs, maritime safety and sustainability, and more.
“B.C. companies are leading the charge in solving some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges, and the BC Fast Pilot program helps bring their ideas and technology to the real-world,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance. “Through this round of investments, the recipients are able to showcase their homegrown solutions that protect our communities, strengthen our industries, and build a cleaner, more resilient future for all people in British Columbia.”
The BC Fast Pilot program helps regional small-medium sized enterprises design, build, and operate their technology at pilot scale and in real-world conditions. This allows B.C. technology companies to demonstrate the impact of their product, measure the value of their solution, and encourage customer adoption, with the goal of scaling their solutions while strengthening key industries, solving local and global challenges, and driving prosperity for British Columbians.
“Investing in homegrown innovation and solutions that tackle important environmental challenges strengthens Canada’s sustainability and economic leadership,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. “NRC IRAP and the BC Fast Pilot program provide opportunities to grow B.C.’s cleantech sector while allowing SMEs and Canadians to benefit from the development of these technologies.”
This is the seventh round of funding through the BC Fast Pilot program, which was launched in 2019. Since the program’s inception, and including this year’s awardees, $13M has been invested into 98 B.C. pilot-scale demonstration projects.
Projects funded through this round of BC Fast Pilot are working to provide innovative solutions in support of high-impact sectors such as advanced materials, forestry, marine, transportation, and waste management, emphasizing pilot-scale testing to validate effectiveness and scalability. One of this year’s recipients, Block 9, is piloting its AI-powered recycling bin in Vancouver to encourage on-site beverage container recycling and ESG compliance. Anarampower, piloting their smart drone system in Port Hardy, is addressing the high costs, safety risks, and emissions associated with traditional forestry inspections.
“We are pleased to partner with Innovate BC to help Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises turn innovative cleantech ideas into market-ready solutions,” said Mitch Davies, President, National Research Council of Canada. “These ambitious companies will gain valuable market insight while demonstrating their technologies in real-world applications, allowing them to move one step closer to customer adoption. This support is about fostering Canadian innovation today and building a sustainable future for generations to come."
Previous program participants include 4AG Robotics, a 2023/24 participant that has since raised $40M in Series B funding, opened a new office in Vancouver as part of its expansion, secured $2.5M from PacifiCan’s Business Scale-Up and Productivity program, and was named one of Foresight Canada’s 50 most investable cleantech ventures in 2024. Similarly, Poseidon Ocean Systems, a 2021/22 participant, has since raised US$20.75M in Series B funding, announced a distribution partnership with Norwegian technology supplier Fjord Miljø to expand sales in Norway, and secured patents in both Chile and Europe for its technologies.
This funding prioritizes regional projects, with a focus on cleantech and projects that involve physical installations and are capital intensive in nature, and those that involve Indigenous communities or organizations.
About Innovate BC
Innovate BC helps turn bold ideas into real-world impact. As a Crown agency, we serve as a trusted advisor and partner for British Columbia’s innovation ecosystem. Our diverse programs and initiatives advance opportunities for made-in-BC innovations, giving companies, industries, and communities the resources they need to grow and prosper.
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Media Contact
Michael Gleboff
Communications + Community Manager
mgleboff@innovatebc.ca
604-602-5210
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