Two Calgary-based companies are among five women-led ventures selected for a $2.46 million investment by the B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE), part of a national effort to scale breakthrough technologies that address industrial decarbonization.
Ayrton Energy and EnviCore, both headquartered in Calgary, were chosen from a pool of 58 applicants through CICE’s inaugural Women in Climate Tech Call for Innovation. The program aims to support climate hard tech solutions with the potential for outsized impact in transportation, construction, and bio-industrial sectors.
Ayrton Energy is working to make hydrogen easier to store and transport using existing fuel infrastructure, a critical step in accelerating adoption of hydrogen-powered systems. EnviCore, meanwhile, is tackling emissions from the construction industry by transforming industrial waste into low-carbon cement alternatives.
“Solving today’s climate and energy challenges will take innovation, practical leadership, and strategic investment in technologies that can scale,” said Sarah Goodman, President and CEO of CICE. “By backing women-led climate tech ventures, we’re strengthening Canada’s economy, driving real-world solutions, and unlocking the full potential of Canadian talent.”
Other recipients include Agora Energy Technologies and Seacork Studio from Vancouver, and Halifax-based Gaia Refinery. Collectively, the five ventures are developing carbon-negative building materials, one-step CO₂-to-power conversion, and scalable carbon removal tools for bio-industries.
CICE says this initiative is about more than capital—it’s about closing equity gaps and tapping into underrepresented entrepreneurial talent. Research from MaRS Discovery District shows that increasing women-owned small- and medium-sized enterprises by 10% could add nearly $200 billion to Canada’s GDP.
“Backing diverse founders isn’t charity—it’s how we win,” Goodman added. “When we bring more voices to the table, we unlock better ideas, build stronger businesses, and find smarter solutions.”
To date, CICE has invested nearly $40 million into 65 climate innovation projects valued at more than $260 million.
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