This call for innovation closed March 4, 2024
CICE is introducing a new funding avenue for emerging B.C.-based ventures that have recently graduated from university entrepreneurship programs. $75,000 in early-stage funding will be allocated to a maximum of twelve ventures nominated from leading universities across British Columbia.
Applications were accepted from January 22 (9am PT) until March 4 (5pm PT).
University Call Q&A (Recorded December 12, 2023)
The funding opportunity
The pathway to securing early-stage funding and partnerships is challenging, especially for early-stage ventures fresh out of universities. Many innovative ideas lose momentum due to a lack of critical support – including solutions with the potential to be the next groundbreaking advancement in the transition to clean energy and decarbonization.
In response to this critical need, CICE has partnered with entrepreneurship@UBC-O, entrepreneurship@UBC-V, SFU VentureLabs, UNBC Innovation Program and UVIC Coast Capital Innovation Centre to bridge the funding gap that typically hinders ventures between early solution validation and the development of a commercialization strategy (Technology Readiness Levels 4-9). Ventures applying must be incorporated in British Columbia.
The funding will be structured in two stages, beginning with an initial upfront grant of $75,000 per selected venture, and additional follow-on funding contingent on successful project milestone achievements. Funding priority will be given to ventures that are on the pathway to developing scalable technology solutions and business models with high decarbonization potential, aligned to the following CICE focus areas:
- Battery technology and energy storage
- Bio and synthetic fuels
- Carbon management
- Low carbon hydrogen
How to apply
Clean energy ventures that are interested in applying will need to seek nomination from their respective B.C. university entrepreneurial program. Participating entrepreneurial programs and designated leads are listed here:
| University | Program | Lead | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Fraser University | SFU VentureLabs | Thomas Partridge | inc_changinstitute@sfu.ca |
| University of British Columbia | entrepreneurship@UBC-V | Sean Lumb | sean.lumb@ubc.ca |
| University of British Columbia Okanagan | entrepreneurship@UBC-O | Kayla Cartlidge | kayla.cartlidge@ubc.ca |
| University of Northern British Columbia | UNBC Innovation Program | Mark Barnes | mark.barnes@unbc.ca |
| University of Victoria | UVIC Coast Capital Innovation Centre | Jerome Etwaroo | icead@uvic.ca |
For full details on how to apply, download the 2024 CICE UNIVERSITY CALL FOR INNOVATION GUIDE
2024 CICE University Call for Innovation timeline
If you have questions, contact info@cice.ca