Cycle Momentum (formerly Accélérateur Ecofuel), founded by Cycle Capital, and Hydro-Québec are proud to announce the launch of the Open Innovation Challenge: Greenhouses as part of Écotech Québec’s Semaine de l’économie verte [Green Economy Week]. The Challenge was created to promote the development and integration of technologies designed for optimal environmental and energy management within the context of greenhouse farming. This initiative aims to support Québec’s transition toward food self-sufficiency.
Today, Cycle Momentum and Hydro-Québec are launching a call for expressions of interest (EOI) to the agri-food business ecosystem. The two companies are looking for start-ups and SMEs that offer innovative technologies designed for the greenhouse farming industry—systems designed to manage energy, lighting, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, heat recovery, irrigation, humidity control, etc. The deadline for submitting an EOI is July 2, 2021. For more information, refer to the website.
The businesses selected will receive assistance from Cycle Momentum and Hydro-Québec in developing and implementing their solution. They will also have the possibility of creating a pilot project directly involving greenhouse growers.
In addition, Québec’s Ministry of Economy and Innovation will support the businesses selected through the Appui aux jeunes entreprises innovantes à fort potentiel de croissance – Primo-adoptants program. The program is associated with a financial contribution from the Québec government of up to $50,000 per business or 50% of eligible expenses paid to a start-up for the creation of pilot projects. The businesses are required to meet the program’s eligibility criteria.
For more information about the criteria, objectives, and advantages of the Open Innovation Challenge: Greenhouses, join the Green Economy Week webinar on May 19.
Economic recovery
“As part of the economic recovery, the Quebec government recently unveiled the 2020-2025 Greenhouse Growth Strategy, which aims for greater food independence in Quebec. The initiative of Cycle Momentum and Hydro-Québec makes a concrete contribution to this vision through the deployment of innovative and clean technologies that create wealth and allow our greenhouse companies to improve their energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases," says Jonatan Julien, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Government of Québec.
“In recent years, food self-sufficiency has become a key issue for Quebecers. The Challenge will help us to stimulate innovation in the greenhouse farming industry in Québec and therefore help to meet that goal as part of the energy transition," explains Simon Racicot-Daignault, President of InnovHQ, a Hydro-Québec subsidiary that was created to stimulate innovation and develop business opportunities designed to accelerate the energy transition.
