New partnership streamlines funding for emission-reducing innovations

Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) have signed an agreement aimed at streamlining support for innovators through easier and timely access to funding. ERA’s Partnership Intake Program allows the not-for-profit organization to consider funding innovative greenhouse gas-reducing projects brought forward by ERA’s “Trusted Partners,” outside of ERA’s traditional call for proposal process. The program gives entrepreneurs and innovators access to the right support at the right time and enables leveraging of funds, said Steve MacDonald, ERA’s CEO. ERA currently has 11 Trusted Partner agreements. BDC tailors its investments toward high-potential cleantech companies with market-ready technology or products and proven potential to scale up. BDC’s Cleantech Practice can help cleantech firms meet the capital-intensive needs of scaling and achieve timely growth and move to the global stage, says Susan Rohac, vice-president, Cleantech Practice at BDC.