When it comes to Metro Vancouver’s burgeoning clean technology sector, the City of Surrey has a serious home field advantage. Right now approximately 10% of British Columbia’s clean tech companies have set up shop east of the Fraser River. With its close proximity to the United States and its vast export market, plus a huge swath of available land, one can expect Surrey’s percentage stake to jump even more in the coming years.
Mayor Linda Hepner said this is part of a larger master plan for the Lower Mainland’s fastest growing municipality.
“For Surrey, we don’t just want to be a hub for clean technology innovation,” she said. “We also want to ensure companies can come to our city and manufacture their technology right here at home. We believe that being a centre for innovation as well as manufacturing is critical to securing our economic future, but it isn’t easy.”
Surrey will take another step towards that goal on Sept. 28 when it hosts The Greater Vancouver Clean Technology Expo and Championship for the second consecutive year at City Hall.
Last year 12 judges oversaw 38 competitors across nine specialized sectors, handing out a total of $13,000 in cash prizes. In addition to the plaza centre where you can take a clean energy vehicle out for a spin, there’s also an opportunity for entrepreneurs in the field to engage in a meeting with major businesses through the B2B Matchmaking component.
Last year’s overall winner TSO Logic, a metrics and automation software company, walked away with $10,000. With more than 500 attendees expected for this year’s edition, it’s clear to see everything clean tech is on the rise. Hepner also noted startup companies will get a chance to pitch Element8, Washington State’s largest clean tech angel investor network.
“With thirty percent of Element8’s existing investment portfolio already focused on B.C. together with the low cost of the Canadian dollar, there has never been a better time for them to invest in our clean tech companies.”
Outlined in the Metro Vancouver 2040: Shaping our Future Regional Growth Strategy Report, Surrey was designated as the second metropolitan core of the region. Councillor Bruce Hayne, also the chair of the Investment and Innovation Committee which oversees the City’s Economic Development strategies including Innovation Boulevard and the clean tech sector said this is one of many assets that feeds into Surrey’s potential.
“In addition, with our youthful demographic (30% of Surrey’s population is under the age of 20) we also need educational opportunities and then attractive jobs and career options upon graduation to retain our best and brightest. Partnering with Simon Fraser University and Kwantlen Polytechnic University on various projects and initiatives helps us achieve those goals.”
Hayne also pointed to Powertech Labs, the BC Hydro subsidiary company that is one of the largest testing and research laboratories in North America. The 11-acre facility, located in Newton, is the premier spot in the province when it comes to the cutting edge of renewable energy research.
Surrey has also formed a strategic partnership with the Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre, Western Canada’s only clean tech accelerator which isfunded by the BC Innovation Council (BCIC)l. Hayne added this is all part of the plan.
“In broad strokes, this is our vision for Surrey in the coming decades. A city with a highly educated engaged workforce with career opportunities in growing, advanced sectors.”
Hepner added of course this isn’t just about claiming the top prize, but helping all of Metro Vancouver take the next step when it comes to clean technology and the environment.
“For us, it’s not just solely about Surrey’s economic growth, but sharing regional prosperity as well.”
For more information on the Championship & Expo, visit www.cleantechchamp.com
