Ontario Cleantech companies are receiving some key ingredients from various programs to help them grow their technology and compete on the world stage.
The Government of Ontario recently announced1 that they are partnering with OCE and investing $99 million into climate change projects for increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. About $75 million will be used to incentivize large industrial plants to use leading-edge technologies and to support entrepreneurs to develop such technologies. The other $24 million is part of a Green Smart energy efficiency program to help SMEs become more energy efficient.
Sustainable Technology Development Canada (STDC) also announced2 support for Cleantech companies with their SD Tech fund and SD Natural Gas Fund that are now open for receiving applications until April 13, 2016. Cleantech companies will be considered that are focused in several technology areas including natural resource development, carbon-free power generation and distribution, remote utility systems and energy efficiency.
The Government of Canada also announced3 that they are investing $12 million in the Southern Ontario Water Consortium (SOWC), which is a group of post-secondary institutions that develops clean and innovative water technologies. The funds will help SOWC work with 90 businesses and non-profit organizations on 80 projects.
These programs are coming at a time when there has been a surge in Cleantech IP filings worldwide. There has been a tripling in the number of Cleantech patent applications and granted patents4 between 2000 and 2014 and an increase in filings that was four times5 that of other technologies during the period of 2006 to 2011.
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) also has
programs in place to support Cleantech companies. Applicants who
file a Cleantech patent application with CIPO can request expedited
examination by submitting a Declaration that the patent application
covers technology that will reduce or lessen environmental impacts
or help conserve the environment and natural resources as well as
by paying a required fee of $500 CAD. CIPO also provides a list of
Canadian patents for green technology6 and Canadian
patent applications for green technology7.
Footnotes
2 https://fundingportal.com/blog/sdtc-now-accepting-applications-cleantech-companies/
4 2015 California Green Innovation Index, International edition, http://next10.org/international
5 Renewable Energy: New Study Shows Patenting Growth, http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/stories/green_tech.html
6 Green Technologies – Patents, http://www.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/eng/greenTechnologies/green_technologies_patent_list.html
7 Green Technologies – Patent Applications: http://www.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/eng/greenTechnologies/green_technologies_pa_list.html
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