Sustainable Development Technology Canada

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is a venture capital investment firm based in Ottawa, established in 2001. The organization focuses on funding and supporting Canadian cleantech projects, helping companies advance innovative technologies to market. SDTC's investments span various sectors, including agriculture, energy efficiency, green buildings, transportation, and waste management. By fostering the growth of these companies, SDTC aims to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and generate export opportunities while delivering environmental and health benefits to Canadians. Operating independently, SDTC collaborates with a diverse network of partners from private industry, academia, and government, both domestically and internationally, to enhance the impact of its initiatives. The organization receives funding from the Government of Canada to further its mission.

Leah Lawrence

President and CEO

Timon LeDain

Vice President, Operations

Vicky J. Sharpe

President and CEO

Leo Bever Ph.D

Investment Director

Past deals in Oil and Gas

Arolytics

Grant in 2023
Arolytics is a software company that provides a data management platform tailored for the energy sector, focusing on emissions management and regulatory compliance. The platform is designed to optimize emission reduction strategies by integrating and synthesizing data from various emissions sensors. It automates the generation of regulatory compliance reports and offers actionable recommendations for reducing pollution. Arolytics enables energy companies to gain valuable insights into methane measurement data, facilitating more effective management of emissions while reducing associated costs.

Validere

Grant in 2021
Validere Technologies Inc. is a Toronto-based company that specializes in providing critical information about liquids through innovative measurement, reporting, and verification solutions. Founded in 2015, Validere develops portable devices, including the Validere Identifier, which assesses the hazardous nature of liquids by referencing a comprehensive library. Additionally, the company offers EDGE Connect, a platform that facilitates secure connections between buyers and sellers, enabling the discovery of arbitrage opportunities. Validere's main focus is on liquid fingerprinting, industrial process monitoring, and optimizing logistics within the energy sector. By delivering accessible and verifiable testing data, Validere aids organizations in making informed business decisions and enhances the accuracy of crude oil testing, ensuring accountability and quality across operations. The company's expertise in emissions management and tracking further positions it as a valuable partner for energy companies seeking to improve their financial and environmental performance.

Flyscan

Grant in 2021
Flyscan Systems Inc. is a Québec-based company established in 2015, specializing in the development of airborne technology for detecting oil leaks in pipelines. The company's innovative platform automates the identification of small oil leaks and offers various visual inspection functions tailored for the energy sector. By utilizing industrial optics and photonics systems mounted on airborne vehicles, Flyscan provides remote detection services that enable clients to monitor underground pipelines effectively. This technology helps clients promptly address any leakages, thereby mitigating potential environmental damages.

Axine Water Technologies

Grant in 2021
Axine Water Technologies Inc. is a Vancouver-based company specializing in innovative wastewater treatment solutions. Established in 2010, the firm focuses on developing chemical-free systems designed to address high concentrations of complex and toxic organic pollutants, including phenols, pharmaceuticals, and ammonia, in industrial wastewater. Utilizing proprietary electrolytic oxidation technology, Axine's systems effectively treat various pollutants in a single step without the need for chemicals or the production of sludge. The company's solutions cater to a diverse range of industries, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and waste management, helping clients reduce costs and enhance the performance of their wastewater management processes.

PyroGenesis

Grant in 2021
PyroGenesis Canada Inc. specializes in the design, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and systems. The company offers a range of innovative solutions for various industries, including metallurgical, mining, oil and gas, and environmental sectors. Key products include the DROSRITE process for enhancing metal recovery from dross, plasma atomized metal powders, and the PUREVAP process for producing high purity silicon. Additionally, PyroGenesis provides plasma torches for applications in waste treatment, nanotechnology, and advanced materials production, as well as systems for plasma arc gasification and waste destruction. The company is recognized for its engineering and manufacturing expertise, operating from a significant facility in Montréal, Canada, and serving clients across multiple countries.

Hifi Engineering

Grant in 2020
HiFi Engineering Inc. specializes in the development of advanced fiber optic sensing systems, hardware, and visualization software designed for downhole and pipeline applications. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Calgary, Canada, the company offers a range of products, including its HDS MiCro tool for downhole flow monitoring and the HDS MaCro system for permanent pipeline and reservoir monitoring. HiFi Engineering’s systems are tailored for oil and gas service companies in North America, focusing on critical applications such as reservoir monitoring, well integrity assessment, and leak detection. The company’s technology is supported by over 33 patents, showcasing its commitment to innovation in the field. With a team of experienced electrical and software engineers, HiFi Engineering emphasizes the delivery of high-quality data through its cutting-edge sensing technology and software platforms.

Evercloak

Seed Round in 2020
Evercloak Inc., founded in 2018 and based in Waterloo, Canada, specializes in the manufacturing of ultra-thin graphene and other two-dimensional nanomaterial films tailored for cleantech applications. The company employs an advanced, cost-effective manufacturing process that produces continuous coatings of single-layer nanomaterials. This innovative approach is designed to facilitate the development of disruptive clean technologies aimed at reducing costs, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions across various sectors, including oil and gas, nuclear, energy, mining, and agri-food. Evercloak's vision centers on enhancing indoor comfort while minimizing energy usage and environmental impact, particularly in the context of building cooling solutions.

Qube Technologies

Grant in 2020
Qube Technologies specializes in developing Internet of Things (IoT) devices that leverage artificial intelligence to detect and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in industrial settings, particularly oil and gas facilities, landfills, and mines. The company's innovative technology employs machine learning and edge computing to provide continuous and accurate monitoring of emissions, enabling clients to comply with regulatory requirements in a cost-effective manner. By focusing on the oil and gas sector, Qube aims to facilitate more efficient monitoring of methane emissions, contributing to overall environmental sustainability.

Absolute Combustion

Seed Round in 2020
Absolute Combustion International is a company specializing in burner products and solutions focused on enhancing combustion technology while prioritizing environmental sustainability. They offer a range of services that include greenhouse gas reduction, air pollution control equipment, energy efficiency solutions, and heat transfer efficiency improvements. The company's advanced burner technology enhances the performance of industrial combustion systems, particularly in sectors such as aerospace, oil and gas, and recycling. By improving operational efficiency and reducing emissions, Absolute Combustion enables its clients to lower operational costs and enhance workplace safety. Their commitment to clean combustion technology aligns with the goal of fostering a more sustainable future and minimizing the environmental impact of industrial processes.

Direct-C

Grant in 2019
Direct-C Limited is a Canadian company specializing in the design and development of advanced hydrocarbon leak detection sensors and remote communication systems tailored for the oil and gas industry. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Edmonton, with additional offices in Calgary and Bath, the company has developed innovative solutions such as SubSense, PatchSense, and TankSense. These products utilize proprietary nanocomposite technology, enabling accurate monitoring of pipeline integrity and storage facilities by detecting liquid hydrocarbons with zero false positives and providing instant alerts. The technology, originally developed at the University of Calgary's Schulich School of Engineering, enhances response times to leaks, improves environmental protection, and minimizes product loss by offering precise location information and comprehensive measurements for various applications.

Rotoliptic

Grant in 2019
Rotoliptic specializes in manufacturing positive displacement pumps designed to handle a wide range of multi-phase flows of viscous fluids. Their pump architecture is notable for its simplicity, consisting of only two parts, which contributes to lower deployment and operating costs. The company's products are particularly suited for midstream oil and gas applications, including pumping crude oil. Rotoliptic's pumps are effective in various challenging conditions, such as high temperatures and gassy environments, making them a cost-effective and reliable solution for diverse pumping needs.

Saltworks

Grant in 2019
Saltworks Technologies Inc. is a water technology company based in Richmond, Canada, specializing in the design, manufacture, and delivery of advanced desalination and wastewater treatment solutions. Founded in 2008, the company focuses on providing innovative systems, including turnkey crystallizer systems, ion exchange membrane products, and membrane-stack systems, to effectively treat industrial wastewater and effluent. Saltworks offers a range of products such as ElectroChem Advanced Electrodialysis systems, salt and ammonia splitters, and the SaltMaker Evaporator Crystallizer, all aimed at addressing challenges in ammonia treatment, landfill leachate, and zero liquid discharge management. The company serves a diverse clientele across various sectors, including oil and gas, mining, agriculture, and food and beverage industries. With a commitment to smart design and intelligent automation, Saltworks enables clients to reduce brine volume, lower disposal costs, and comply with environmental regulations.

FIBOS

Grant in 2019
FIBOS Inc., founded in 2016 and based in Toronto, Canada, specializes in developing advanced optical measurement technology for the industrial sensing industry. The company's product line includes the optical gauge amplifier (OGA-01) and optical gauge sensors designed to measure strain with high precision. FIBOS aims to disrupt traditional electrical sensors by offering solutions for load sensing, pressure sensing, vibration sensing, and temperature sensing. These solutions are targeted at industries such as oil and gas, energy, and test and measurement, providing innovative alternatives to conventional sensing methods.

E3P Technologies

Grant in 2019
E3P Technologies specializes in the development of a compact, zero-emission compressor designed to mitigate methane leaks commonly associated with natural gas compression at well sites. By providing a solution that effectively eliminates these leaks, the company aims to help the oil and gas industries significantly reduce their overall greenhouse gas emissions during operations. E3P Technologies focuses on environmentally responsible technology that addresses critical challenges in emissions management within the energy sector.

Fractal Systems

Grant in 2019
Fractal Systems Inc. is a technology company specializing in heavy oil solutions, focusing on enhancing producer margins, streamlining infrastructure, and facilitating the transportation of heavy oil and bitumen. Established in 2006 and headquartered in Sherbrooke, Canada, with additional offices in Calgary, the company develops, patents, and implements innovative technologies. One of its key offerings is JetShear, a suite of technologies designed to improve the quality of bitumen products and reduce their viscosity, thereby allowing processed fluids to flow more easily through transport pipelines. Fractal Systems aims to provide cost-effective solutions that address the challenges associated with heavy oil production and transportation.

Imtex Membranes

Grant in 2019
Imtex Membranes Corp. is a Canadian company based in Mississauga, established in 2007, that specializes in advanced membrane separation technology for the petrochemical and refining industries. The company has developed the Permylene™ membrane system, which offers a high-performance and commercially viable alternative to traditional distillation methods for the extraction and purification of olefins. This innovative technology not only enhances efficiency but also provides substantial economic and environmental benefits, positioning Imtex Membranes as a leader in the field of gas separation. Through its focus on olefin/paraffin separation, the company aims to set new standards within the industry.

Ambyint

Grant in 2018
Ambyint Inc. is a Calgary-based company that specializes in artificial lift optimization solutions for exploration and production (E&P) companies in the oil and gas sector. Founded in 2004 and originally known as PumpWell Solutions Ltd., Ambyint develops advanced software that integrates artificial intelligence with traditional physics-based techniques to enhance production outcomes. Its key offerings include the Amplify Real-Time Controller, which provides real-time control and optimization capabilities, and the Infinity Optimization Platform, designed for real-time visualization and monitoring. The company's solutions automate diagnostic processes, adjust operational parameters, and predict failures, resulting in improved production efficiency and reduced lifting costs. Ambyint's technology can be deployed with existing supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems or through its High Resolution Adaptive Controllers, facilitating higher resolution data acquisition and automated control of artificial lift systems.

MEG Energy

Grant in 2018
MEG Energy Corp. is a Canadian energy company specializing in sustainable in situ thermal oil production in the southern Athabasca region of Alberta. The company holds a 100% interest in approximately 750 square miles of mineral leases and primarily focuses on its Christina Lake Project, employing steam-assisted gravity drainage extraction methods to enhance oil recovery while reducing carbon emissions. MEG also operates significant midstream assets, including a 50%-owned joint venture, Access Pipeline, which connects the Christina Lake Project to transportation hubs, and the wholly-owned Stonefell Terminal, a 900,000 barrel storage facility. These assets enable MEG to optimize logistics and mitigate risks associated with pipeline constraints. Additionally, MEG is advancing innovative technologies like its Diluent Removal Facility and HI-Q® project, which aim to improve transportation efficiency and lower environmental impacts. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Calgary, MEG Energy is well-positioned in the oil sands sector, supported by a skilled team dedicated to responsible energy development.

KMX Technologies

Grant in 2018
KMX Technologies specializes in membrane distillation technology aimed at enhancing the separation and recovery of valuable chemicals and water treatment processes. The company offers innovative solutions that integrate with conventional methods like reverse osmosis and distillation to achieve more efficient separations. Its primary applications span various industries, including mining, desalination, oil and gas, environmental remediation, and industrial waste management. By providing next-generation systems that focus on low-cost solutions for brine concentration and organic solvent recovery, KMX Technologies addresses critical mineral extraction and water treatment challenges effectively.

Acceleware

Grant in 2017
Acceleware Ltd. is a Canadian clean-tech company focused on developing innovative technologies for the oil and gas sector, specifically in heavy oil and oil sands production. The company operates through two main segments: Radio Frequency (RF) Heating and High-Performance Computing (HPC). Acceleware's RF Heating technology, known as RF XL, is designed to provide a low-cost, low-carbon solution for oil extraction that minimizes environmental impact, eliminates greenhouse gas emissions, and does not require water or solvents. The HPC segment offers advanced computational software solutions, including tools for electromagnetic modeling and seismic imaging, which enhance oil exploration and reservoir characterization. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Calgary, Acceleware aims to support a transition towards cleaner energy production while improving economic performance in the energy sector. The company collaborates with Indigenous groups to promote sustainable practices that respect land and water.

Ground Effects Environmental Services

Grant in 2017
Ground Effects Environmental Services (GEE), established in 1998 and headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan, specializes in innovative environmental solutions for various industries, including oil and gas, mining, and industrial sectors. The company has developed over 70 patented in situ remediation technologies, focusing particularly on mobile remediation solutions and electrokinetic technologies. GEE's proprietary electrokinetic platform effectively removes solids and contaminants from fluids, supporting applications such as frac flowback treatment, salt remediation, drill cuttings treatment, and invert drilling mud treatment. Additionally, Ground Effects provides bio-decontamination units designed to eliminate viruses and bacteria from surfaces, positioning itself as a leader in the field of environmental services.

PurLucid Treatment Solutions

Grant in 2017
PurLucid Treatment Solutions is a North American services company focused on innovative water treatment technologies. It designs and manufactures advanced water and wastewater treatment systems specifically tailored for the heavy oil, mining, forestry, and industrial sectors. The company's proprietary systems excel in hydrocarbon recovery and provide ultra-filtered water, effectively removing water and solids to enhance oil recovery processes. Through its cutting-edge solutions, PurLucid is transforming water treatment practices in various industries.

waterStrider Treatment

Grant in 2017
waterStrider treatment removes oil, sulphide, bacteria, metals, and suspended solids from frac water, making it reusable for a fraction of the price of current fresh water use at fracking sites. In doing so, the environmental impact and costs associated with fracking are dramatically reduced.

Agar Corporation

Grant in 2017
Agar Corporation is a leading pioneer of non-nuclear, versatile, multi-phase flow meters used to optimize oil well testing and production. Agar provides innovative solutions for applications such as: heavy oil well testing, waste water treatment, automatic tank dewatering, desalters and gas liquid foam control.

Flyscan

Grant in 2017
Flyscan Systems Inc. is a Québec-based company established in 2015, specializing in the development of airborne technology for detecting oil leaks in pipelines. The company's innovative platform automates the identification of small oil leaks and offers various visual inspection functions tailored for the energy sector. By utilizing industrial optics and photonics systems mounted on airborne vehicles, Flyscan provides remote detection services that enable clients to monitor underground pipelines effectively. This technology helps clients promptly address any leakages, thereby mitigating potential environmental damages.

Saltworks

Grant in 2016
Saltworks Technologies Inc. is a water technology company based in Richmond, Canada, specializing in the design, manufacture, and delivery of advanced desalination and wastewater treatment solutions. Founded in 2008, the company focuses on providing innovative systems, including turnkey crystallizer systems, ion exchange membrane products, and membrane-stack systems, to effectively treat industrial wastewater and effluent. Saltworks offers a range of products such as ElectroChem Advanced Electrodialysis systems, salt and ammonia splitters, and the SaltMaker Evaporator Crystallizer, all aimed at addressing challenges in ammonia treatment, landfill leachate, and zero liquid discharge management. The company serves a diverse clientele across various sectors, including oil and gas, mining, agriculture, and food and beverage industries. With a commitment to smart design and intelligent automation, Saltworks enables clients to reduce brine volume, lower disposal costs, and comply with environmental regulations.

Axine Water Technologies

Grant in 2016
Axine Water Technologies Inc. is a Vancouver-based company specializing in innovative wastewater treatment solutions. Established in 2010, the firm focuses on developing chemical-free systems designed to address high concentrations of complex and toxic organic pollutants, including phenols, pharmaceuticals, and ammonia, in industrial wastewater. Utilizing proprietary electrolytic oxidation technology, Axine's systems effectively treat various pollutants in a single step without the need for chemicals or the production of sludge. The company's solutions cater to a diverse range of industries, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and waste management, helping clients reduce costs and enhance the performance of their wastewater management processes.

Illusense

Grant in 2016
Illusense Inc. is a machine vision technology company based in Vancouver, Canada, founded in 2013. The company specializes in developing advanced laser-based internal inspection technology for oil and gas pipelines, aimed at enhancing pipeline maintenance services. By utilizing ultra-high resolution lasers, Illusense enables clients in the energy sector to proactively manage pipeline integrity, prioritize maintenance tasks, and ultimately achieve zero-leak goals. The company's innovative platform generates 3-D data sets that provide critical insights into the condition of pipeline assets, thereby improving business productivity, operational effectiveness, and supply chain logistics for corporate clients.

DarkVision

Series A in 2016
DarkVision Technologies Inc., established in 2013 and headquartered in North Vancouver, Canada, specializes in developing and commercializing advanced ultrasound-based imaging technology for oil and gas wells. The company's core product is a high-resolution ultrasound imaging system that can visualize the interior of multi-kilometer long wells at a sub-millimetric level, even through opaque fluids. This innovative technology enables oil and gas operators to identify and address various downhole issues, such as production tubing defects, casing corrosion, and sand screen damage, leading to informed decision-making that enhances operational efficiency, improves well integrity, and minimizes environmental impact. As of 2020, DarkVision operates as a subsidiary of Koch Engineered Solutions.

Quantiam Technologies

Grant in 2016
Quantiam Technologies, Inc. is a manufacturing technology company headquartered in Edmonton, Canada, specializing in the development and commercialization of advanced materials, catalysts, coatings, and surfaces designed for extreme-operating environments and energy-related applications. The company offers high-performance coatings for the internal surfaces of complex shapes, such as tubulars, with a significant production capacity. Its product range serves various industries, including aerospace, automotive, mining, chemical processing, and the cleantech sector, focusing on reducing energy consumption and emissions. Quantiam also develops catalyst systems and nanomaterials, particularly for the methanol-hydrogen economy, and provides technical services related to nanomaterials characterization, surface analysis, and materials performance. Founded in 1998, Quantiam Technologies aims to deliver innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and sustainability across multiple sectors.

Syscor

Grant in 2016
Syscor specializes in developing and manufacturing wireless sensor systems designed for the petroleum industry. The company's primary focus is on monitoring floating roofs in petroleum storage tanks. Their sensor systems provide real-time data on various parameters, including rainwater accumulation, liquid hydrocarbons, volatile hydrocarbon vapors, acceleration, vibration, temperature, and roof misalignment. By offering these advanced monitoring solutions, Syscor enables clients to enhance safety and operational efficiency in their industrial assets and facilities.

CelluForce

Grant in 2015
CelluForce is a manufacturer specializing in cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), an advanced biomaterial derived from wood. The company produces CNC in both spray-dried powder and liquid suspension forms, making it suitable for diverse applications across various industries, including cosmetics, oil and gas, adhesives, paints, coatings, packaging, plastics, and composites. By leveraging patented technology, CelluForce ensures that its products can be efficiently distributed to end users, significantly reducing storage and transportation costs. The company focuses on providing bio-based, natural, and biodegradable materials that enhance product performance for its clients, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable solutions in industrial applications.

Fractal Systems

Grant in 2015
Fractal Systems Inc. is a technology company specializing in heavy oil solutions, focusing on enhancing producer margins, streamlining infrastructure, and facilitating the transportation of heavy oil and bitumen. Established in 2006 and headquartered in Sherbrooke, Canada, with additional offices in Calgary, the company develops, patents, and implements innovative technologies. One of its key offerings is JetShear, a suite of technologies designed to improve the quality of bitumen products and reduce their viscosity, thereby allowing processed fluids to flow more easily through transport pipelines. Fractal Systems aims to provide cost-effective solutions that address the challenges associated with heavy oil production and transportation.

ElectroKinetic Solutions

Grant in 2014
ElectroKinetic Solutions is a technology company that specializes in dewatering and decontamination processes through innovative electrokinetic applications. Its technology is designed to address challenges in various industrial environments, particularly those involving difficult-to-dewater slurries, sludge, and unstable clay soils. The company's solutions are particularly beneficial for oil sand producers, as they facilitate the effective management of tailings generated from oil sands and other mining operations. By leveraging electrokinetics, ElectroKinetic Solutions aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of dewatering processes, thereby enhancing operational outcomes in industries facing complex environmental challenges.

Saltworks

Grant in 2010
Saltworks Technologies Inc. is a water technology company based in Richmond, Canada, specializing in the design, manufacture, and delivery of advanced desalination and wastewater treatment solutions. Founded in 2008, the company focuses on providing innovative systems, including turnkey crystallizer systems, ion exchange membrane products, and membrane-stack systems, to effectively treat industrial wastewater and effluent. Saltworks offers a range of products such as ElectroChem Advanced Electrodialysis systems, salt and ammonia splitters, and the SaltMaker Evaporator Crystallizer, all aimed at addressing challenges in ammonia treatment, landfill leachate, and zero liquid discharge management. The company serves a diverse clientele across various sectors, including oil and gas, mining, agriculture, and food and beverage industries. With a commitment to smart design and intelligent automation, Saltworks enables clients to reduce brine volume, lower disposal costs, and comply with environmental regulations.

CVT Corp

Venture Round in 2007
CVT Corp. is an international technology company that specializes in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). These advanced transmission systems are utilized across various industries, including power generation, oil and gas, mining, farming, and off-road equipment. The company serves a diverse customer base across multiple regions, including Canada, the United States, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Founded in 2001 and originally known as S.O.E. Technologies, CVT Corp. rebranded in June 2007 and is headquartered in Sainte-Julie, Canada.
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