Earth Tech supports early-stage startups and nonprofit social enterprises in advancing their technology and business, becoming financially sustainable, and creating meaningful impact.
Eligibility
Earth Tech is open to early-stage startups and nonprofit social enterprises developing technologies that aim to achieve any of the following climate and water outcomes:
CLIMATE SOLUTIONS:
- Mitigating climate change
- Strengthening resilience to its impacts
- Increasing knowledge and awareness about climate change
WATER SOLUTIONS:
- Improving water quality
- Increasing water-use efficiency
- Protecting and/or remediating waterways
- Increasing knowledge and awareness of protecting waterways or water management
Ventures must also meet the following criteria to be considered:
- Majority Canadian-owned and headquartered
- Incorporated for-profit startups or nonprofit social enterprises (i.e., nonprofits that derive a portion of revenue from business activities)
- Pre-Series A investment
- Must be at the Validation or Efficiency stage:
- Validation: The entrepreneur is validating their business and impact models, has or is working on a minimum viable product, verifying clients, and testing their go-to-market strategy.
- Efficiency: The entrepreneur has initial market traction, is scaling sales and marketing, is starting to measure and report on environmental impact, and is forecasting based on actuals.
- Technology Readiness Level 3 or higher
- At least two full-time equivalent people devoted to the venture
- Able to commit to fully participating online during the six-month program, which includes attending online workshops and coaching sessions (approximately 4-6 hours/month during the daytime) and being responsive with our program staff in our Slack workspace.
There are no costs to participate in Earth Tech!
Benefits
During Earth Tech climate programs, participating early-stage ventures have earned and raised nearly $33 million while supporting 400 full-time jobs.
MENTORSHIP & ADVISING
Bi-weekly one-on-one time with top, seasoned Entrepreneurs-in-Residence for outcomes-based coaching, and office hours with dozens of expert advisors.
LEARNING
Quality, customized workshops on topics like financial modeling, pitching, and impact measurement; invitations to lunch & learns, panels, talks, and more!
CONNECTIONS & PROFILE
Access to our extensive network, connections to funding and other business opportunities; increased visibility through our marketing and investor pitch events.
PEER SUPPORT
Regular cohort circles for peer-to-peer support and learning with like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators from across Canada.
Timeline
APPLICATIONS OPEN
October 8, 2021
Recruitment opens for Earth Tech 2022.
COHORT SELECTED
December 3, 2021
Selected applicants are invited to pitch online in November. The cohort is selected by early December.
PROGRAM STARTS
January 10, 2022
The program kicks off in early January 2022 online, across Canada, and offers ongoing mentorship, learning, and peer support throughout the six months.
