Local businesses recognized in climate solutions competition

Last month, Spring Activator – the B.C. business incubator – wrapped up its Angels for Climate Solutions innovation challenge. The initiative saw a group of investors dole out $122,000 to a promising tech company. And while a Victoria startup didn’t win, two made strong showings and were named among the top five firms.

Making composting a breeze

The first company is BinBreeze, an innovative circular-economy composting product. They’ve created an all-natural, non-toxic composting powder that eliminates odours and kills fruit flies associated with recycling organic waste indoors. The company is helmed by Taylor McCarten, who is no stranger to the spotlight. Back in 2020, BinBreeze was featured on Dragons’ Den, an experience McCarten called “fantastic.”

Taking solar power skyward

The other Victoria firm recognized for its innovation is Solaires, which is creating high-output solar power. Solaires’ technology and products enable solar cell manufacturers to produce a new generation of solar panels with a shorter value chain, 40-to-60 percent lower manufacturing costs, and the potential to increase output power up to three times.

Energy output is not the only thing Solaires has been racking up. It’s adding accolades at an impressive pace, as it was recently named one of Douglas Magazine’s 10 To Watch Winners. What should we look out for? “I can’t say it will happen tomorrow,” said Sahar Sam, the firm’s Chief strategy officer, to the magazine, “but when it does, it could take over the silicon market.”

The Angels for Climate Solutions program was launched in September of 2021 with the goal of increasing the flow of capital investment into B.C.-based, early-stage climate technology startups.

The program undertook a cohort-based approach to education and training with two intersecting streams, one geared towards angel investors looking to make early-stage investments into climate technologies, and one designed for climate-focused startups looking to fundraise.

“Angels for Climate Solutions is a result of the strategic imperative to ensure our innovation ecosystem has the support necessary to apply its ingenuity and agility to the climate emergency,” said Vancouver Economic Commission CEO Eleena Marley. “Technology-based solutions will form the backbone of climate action in many cities around the world."