Energy from the Earth - new media

InterviewTechnology Canada (SDTC) or theQuébec Technology Showcase tohelp companies cross the “valley ofdeath”.According to sources, Quebecfalls short in two aspects namelyinnovation and publicprocurement policy preventingit from being one of the mostcompetitive provinces inCanada. What are some of theinhibiting factors that projectYou are probably referring to Enerkem, a Quebecbased waste to biofuel company, that ranked asthe top non-US VC deal around the world (with aninvestment of US$ 60M) in the 2nd quarter of2011. We want to have moresuccess like this that can inspireother entrepreneurs. This is aquestion we ask ourselves,what can we do to help createa Bombardier or a Cirque duSoleil of Cleantech?Could you highlight theQuebec as a leader in this area? How contributions being madeis Ecotech Quebec addressing theseby small and medium-sizedshortcomings?businesses in this sector?Québec is in fact Canada's most dynamic province inR&D, with the highest ratio of R&D to GDP. TheGovernment recently took a strong stand in favor ofcleantech R&D, by funding large scale demonstrationprojects involving companies: green plane, electricbus, forest biorefinery and green ICT. As per publicprocurements, or more generally speaking publicpolicies, they could be leveraged better to help thegrowth of our companies. This is why Écotech Québecworks closely on advocacy to propose to both levels ofgovernment (Federal, Provincial) down to earthmeasures and programs that can help the sector, suchas a tax credit for commercialization of cleantechnologies.What are some of the international trends in thecleantech sector? How far is Quebecimplementing them?Our companies evolve in the global economy so theyare directly influenced by those trends. At ÉcotechQuébec, we strongly believe in identifying andadapting the best practices of other cleantech clustersaround the world. This is in part why we have joined theGlobal Cleantech Cluster Association (GCCA), a newnetwork of the best cleantech clusters around the world,which held its first conference in Montreal last August.We also think that the relationships we build with othersimilar clusters in Canada and abroad can serve asbridges to commercial relations of our companies.The second quarter of 2011 witnessed somesignificant results in terms of investment forQuebec? Could you shed some light on this?Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are centralto the development of a stronger Québec cleantechsector, in terms of growth, jobs and technology. Theyare the main drivers of innovation, especially when theycan be connected with end-users, like municipalities orlarge industries, which act as first buyers and lower therisk for investors. How can we connect our SMEs toIndia's large industrial groups is something we want toexplore.Like in many other sectors Quebec has excelled incleantech as well. Why has it been kept as aclosely guarded secret?The Québec economy has been known for its successesin aerospace, ICT or life sciences sectors. Cleantecharound the world is a relatively new and fragmentedsector ranging from traditional environmentaltechnologies to green energy. Écotech Québec hasbeen created to unite and mobilize the cleantechindustry around common goals and actions.In your visit to India how do you intend sellingEcotech Quebec?We are not here to “sell” Écotech Québec. We are hereto promote the Québec cleantech sector, its companiesand its expertise. We are looking for partnerships.What is your message to Indian companies thatwant to foray in this sector?Think outside the box. Focus on market driveninnovation not only technology development. Build acore team of people with business experience. 12Indo-Canadian Business October - December 2011