Blog
Andrew Newton
Planetary Technologies: Why We Invested

Planetary offers a scalable, natural alternative to engineered carbon removal solutions by enhancing the ocean’s existing ability to absorb CO2. The ocean already absorbs 31% of global CO2 emissions, and by adding alkalinity, Planetary increases this capacity while neutralizing ocean acidity. The process, called Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE), stores carbon as stable salts within the marine ecosystem for thousands of years, making it a low-energy, cost-effective, durable solution. Early tests in controlled environments confirm successful CO2 removal, and ongoing open-ocean trials show no measurable negative impact on marine habitats.

ThinkLabs AI is a specialized AI development and deployment company focused on advanced engineering systems. With their flagship product, ThinkLabs Copilot, using proprietary physics-informed AI digital twins, ThinkLabs AI is well positioned to transform the way grids operate, rich of clean data and predictive power.

Planetary Technologies: Why We Invested
Blog
Andrew Newton
Ottawa Announces Second Tranche of VCCI Funding ...

An additional five VCs from Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal will receive portions of the $25 million commitment.

The Canadian government announced the second tranche of $25 million in VCCI funding to support underrepresented entrepreneurs, including women, Indigenous, Black, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities. This funding will benefit five venture capital firms, including Amplify Capital. Amplify Capital's managing partner, Kathryn Wortsman, highlighted that our focus remains on achieving strong financial returns alongside measurable impact.

Ottawa Announces Second Tranche of VCCI Funding to Support Underrepresented Entrepreneurs
Blog
Andrew Newton
ThinkLabs AI: Why We Invested

ThinkLabs AI is developing a physics-informed digital twin model, supporting human operations by offering autonomous modeling and orchestration of the power grid. These insights enable power grid operators to connect power from renewable sources to the grid faster and more efficiently, alleviating grid connection queues.

ThinkLabs AI is a specialized AI development and deployment company focused on advanced engineering systems. With their flagship product, ThinkLabs Copilot, using proprietary physics-informed AI digital twins, ThinkLabs AI is well positioned to transform the way grids operate, rich of clean data and predictive power.

ThinkLabs AI: Why We Invested
Blog
Andrew Newton
BioIntelligence Technologies: Why We Invested

To catalyze industrial decarbonization, we must move away from energy-intensive manufacturing to more energy-efficient, low carbon footprint alternatives, such as bio-fermentation. Quebec-based BioIntelligence Technologies (BIT) provides solutions for reducing the carbon footprint in large-scale bio-manufacturing industries like chemical production, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and certain food applications. BIT's analytics can alleviate challenges in biomanufacturing by reducing production losses and increasing yields by 5-10% per batch. This improvement fosters the adoption of more sustainable manufacturing processes. 

BioIntelligence Technologies: Why We Invested
Blog
Kathryn Wortsman
Redefining Returns: The Evolution of Venture ...

Venture capitalists have traditionally focused on high returns and calculated risks. However, in today’s evolving market landscape, there’s a significant shift towards a more purpose-driven approach. Relying solely on financial gains is no longer sufficient. The demand from consumers, governments, and communities for investments that also yield environmental and social returns is growing. This is particularly crucial given the current state of our planet and the challenges faced by health and education systems. Impact investing emerges as a paradigm shift, redefining the fundamental principles of investment for double bottom-line returns.

Redefining Returns: The Evolution of Venture Capital Into Impact Investing

Unlocking a New Future with Synthetic Biology

It’s no secret that we’re in a transformative time for biotechnology and bioinnovation. Today, scientists are unlocking new solutions that are better for both human health and environmental sustainability. These solutions include meat proteins that are no longer sourced from animals, textiles and dyes created from microbes, and new sources of nutrients, such as omega-3 sourced from microalgae. All of these new products are the results of developments in synthetic biology, a rising biotechnology approach to redesign and refabricate existing biological systems already found in nature into products that are better for the environment and people.

Can Impact Funds Support the Climate Transition of Heavy Emitting Industries?

The past few years have brought our planet into a new era of accelerated changes in climate. In 2022 alone, the physical weather conditions have caused global populations to face extremely strenuous conditions such as significant heatwaves in India and the UK, floods in Western China, and wildfires scorching across Canada and the U.S. The climate conditions have reached extremes that cannot be ignored and the push towards decarbonization and climate action is no longer a question of if, rather putting forward plans to determine when.

Low-Cost and More Sustainable Battery Production for Electric Vehicles and Grid Storage Enabled by Sylvatex’s Advanced New Cathode Manufacturing Process

Low-Cost and More Sustainable Battery Production for Electric Vehicles and Grid Storage Enabled by Sylvatex’s Advanced New Cathode Manufacturing Process

“Today’s method for producing cathodes is extremely costly and requires an incredible amount of resources. If we're to realize the clean energy transition, battery production must scale dramatically, and evolve into a more cost-effective and sustainable process”

moozoom: Why We Invested

moozoom: Why We Invested

MooZoom is an interactive and straightforward video-based SEL teaching platform for K-12 students. MooZoom created these videos in collaboration with researchers, psychologists, and teachers. The content adheres to school district curriculum and practice, making it useful for teachers. Rather than considering it as a routine learning exercise, the value of MooZoom is centered on its content, which engages users to build social and emotional abilities while having fun.

LUCID: Why We Invested

LUCID: Why We Invested

LUCID addresses the urgent need for mental health care and support. It is highly scalable and cost-effective for any patient who wants to access support anytime and anywhere. LUCID is affordable, democratizing access to therapy for currently underserved populations. It can be accessed anywhere, anytime, and used as needed by individuals seeking support.