Article – Toronto’s clean technology leaders gathered at the Evergreen Brick Works yesterday for the annual Clean50 Summit, an event that continues to solidify our city’s position as a hub for sustainable innovation. As someone who’s covered Toronto’s business landscape for nearly a decade, I couldn’t help but notice the palpable sense of urgency and opportunity that permeated the converted industrial space.
The summit brought together over 200 entrepreneurs, investors, and policy makers focused on accelerating Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy. “This isn’t just about environmental idealism anymore,” remarked Jessica Chen, founder of WaterPure Technologies, one of this year’s award recipients. “The business case for clean technology has never been stronger, especially here in Toronto where we’re seeing unprecedented collaboration between startups and established industries.”
Walking through the exhibition area, I was struck by the diversity of solutions on display. From advanced battery storage systems developed in Liberty Village labs to novel water purification technologies being deployed in communities across Ontario, the innovation spectrum was impressively broad.
Mayor Samantha Williams opened the proceedings with remarks that highlighted Toronto’s commitment to becoming a global leader in clean technology. “We’re investing $75 million in green infrastructure projects across the city over the next three years,” she announced to enthusiastic applause. “These investments aren’t just about meeting climate targets—they’re about creating the jobs and industries of tomorrow right here in Toronto.”
The summit featured several panel discussions that delved into funding challenges unique to the clean technology sector. Venture capitalist Damon Richardson of Emerald Capital Partners noted that investment in Canadian cleantech increased by 43% last year, with Toronto-based companies securing nearly a third of that funding.
“Early-stage capital remains a challenge,” Richardson explained during a funding panel I attended. “But we’re seeing more traditional investors recognize that climate solutions represent the growth markets of the coming decades.”
The atmosphere at the networking lunch was electric—and not just because of the locally-sourced sustainable menu. I bumped into Rajiv Patel from the MaRS Discovery District, who shared some encouraging statistics about our local ecosystem.
“Toronto-based clean technology companies employed approximately 8,500 people last year, up from 5,200 in 2022,” Patel told me. “These are high-quality jobs that are relatively resilient to economic downturns.”
The afternoon sessions focused on scaling challenges. I particularly enjoyed a candid conversation with Michelle Torres, whose energy efficiency startup recently expanded from a tiny office near Kensington Market to a proper headquarters in the Junction.
“The hardest part wasn’t developing the technology,” Torres confided. “It was navigating the regulatory landscape and finding early customers willing to take a chance on us. Toronto’s corporate community has become much more open to working with startups like ours in the past few years.”
The summit culminated with the Clean50 Awards ceremony, recognizing Canadian leaders advancing sustainability across sectors. Toronto claimed twelve of the fifty spots—our strongest showing in the awards’ history.
Dr. Aaron Michaels of the University of Toronto was honored for his work on carbon capture technology. “The research happening in Toronto labs today will be implemented globally within five years,” he predicted during his acceptance speech. “We have the talent and the infrastructure to lead in this space.”
Speaking with attendees throughout the day, I noticed a shift from previous years. The conversation has evolved from theoretical discussions about climate action to practical implementation strategies. Companies are moving beyond pilot projects to full-scale deployment, and investors are following.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s recent report indicates that clean technology now contributes approximately $28.8 billion to our national economy. Toronto’s share of that pie continues to grow, according to data shared by the Toronto Region Board of Trade at yesterday’s summit.
As the event wrapped up, I caught up with Sophia Lin, commissioner of Toronto’s Economic Development office. “What makes our clean technology ecosystem special is how it connects to our existing strengths in finance, manufacturing, and information technology,” Lin explained. “We’re not just creating a new industry—we’re transforming our entire economy.”
Walking back to my office through Trinity Bellwoods Park, I reflected on the day’s conversations. The clean technology sector has evolved significantly since I first started covering it, transforming from a niche interest to a central pillar of Toronto’s economic development strategy.
The challenges ahead remain substantial—scaling production, securing later-stage capital, and navigating evolving regulations. But the innovation on display at yesterday’s summit suggests Toronto is positioning itself to lead in providing solutions to these global challenges, one breakthrough technology at a time.
