Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Cleantech Industry

With a raging climate crisis, it has become increasingly important for entrepreneurs, innovators and governments to act in order to shift the world away from traditional energy sources. However, innovation in the sector requires both the state and the individual entrepreneurs to work in tandem to foster real change. Today we speak to Prof. Dan Breznitz to discuss the dynamic of innovation policy and entrepreneurship in Canada.  We will then speak to Mr. Tim Stoate of The Atmospheric Fund to discuss how individual investment funds view the scope of entrepreneurship in the cleantech space.

Tim Stoate is charged with levering The Atmospheric Fund’s (TAF) pool of financial assets by expanding financial relationships and services through existing and new partners and borrowers.

Tim designs and tests new financing options that support carbon reduction. His innovative solutions for TAF have included establishing a non-debt financial instrument called the Energy Savings Performance Agreement (ESPA TM), sourcing an energy performance warranty, and incubating Efficiency Capital, a company now run by private investors that finances a wide variety of energy efficiency projects.

Tim has 35 years of experience in corporate finance advisory work, banking, and investment syndications. Portfolios under his management have exceeded $100 million in committed funds and have included residential real estate, construction transactions, and commercial loans. Tim has arranged senior debt, mezzanine financing, subordinated debt, and equity investments for early stage and growth businesses.

Dan Breznitz is a Professor and Munk Chair of Innovation Studies, at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy with a cross-appointment in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto where he is also the Co-Director of the Innovation Policy Lab. In addition, he is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research where he co-founded and co-directs the program on Innovation, Equity and the Future of Prosperity.

Produced by:

Shail Vin - Junior Producer

Thea Koper - Executive Producer

Music:

“All Hands” by Tim Baker

“Far Away” by Nickelback