INVESTMENT ACTIVITY IN 2021 Emerging Industries
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Cleantech tends to be capital intensive, presenting a challenge for entrepreneurs seeking investors. Additionally, since sectors like clean energy, agriculture technology, and ocean technology are relatively new and are developing quickly, prospective investors face unmet needs for specialized, sector-focused education. Organizations like Foresight and VANTEC Angel Network are stepping up to fill these educational gaps by providing sector-specific investor readiness workshops. Since many cleantech ventures are developing emerging technologies, the reluctance of some investors to invest at such an early stage presents a barrier to capital access. A portion of the investor community has a preference for investing in companies developing more mature technologies, particularly within verticals with an established customer base and market traction. Startups developing emerging technologies tend to be in the customer discovery phase, a potential challenge
when raising capital. However, Canada sits at the precipice of building new skills for a forward-looking economy. A significant amount of reskilling is required to meet the green transition: creating an opportunity for entrepreneurs, investors, and government to create new products, new companies, and new jobs: securing a better future for all. An evolving economy demands an evolving workforce. Clean Energy Canada predicts that roughly 650,000 Canadians will be working in the cleantech sector by 2030. 20 Even as we enter an apparent economic downturn, companies are operating from a position of strength given the recent occurrence of the largest fundraising year ever. We have an immediate opportunity to create sustainable jobs, reduce carbon pollution, and improve resilience against future risks and shocks, diversifying our economy and setting Canada on a new track to thrive in a safer, more affordable, and more equitable
20 Rapid job growth in Canada’s clean energy sector set to outpace losses in fossil fuels: report
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