Announcing the 2025 Climate Solutions Prize Finalists 2025/06/06

Montréal, Québec – June 6, 2025 — The Climate Solutions Prize (CSP) is proud to unveil the finalists for the 2025 edition of the CSP Festival. These innovative startups and researchers will compete for over $1.75 million in prizes during the third annual Festival, taking place June 17–18 in Montréal.

For the first time, submissions were opened nationally, catalyzing climate innovation across Canada. In total, 382 applications were received: 234 in the Startup Track and 148 in the Breakthrough Research Track.

Climate Tech Trailblazer Prize Finalists (Canada & Quebec) 

• Patrick Racine (Montréal, QC): ChillSkyn is leveraging smart materials to block solar radiation from converting into heat.

• Mina Zarabian (Calgary, AB): Carbonova converts CO₂ emissions into high-performance carbon nanofibers.

• Amir Soleimani (Port Coquitlam, BC): TreeTrack uses drones to plant forests with proprietary Seedpods.

• Jason Robinson (Toronto, ON): Evoco developed patents for plant-based leather alternatives.

• Gillian Holcroft (Montréal, QC): Green Graphite Tech has devised an energy-optimized method for graphite purification.

• Rebecca Waroway (Calgary, AB): Ayrton Energy is advancing unique hydrogen storage technologies.

• Amy Richardson (Langford, BC): Solaires developed photovoltaic tech tailored for indoor lighting.

• Luke Connell (Halifax, NS): CarbonRun boosts rivers’ natural carbon capture capacity.

• Myra Arshad (Kitchener, ON): ALT TEX turns food waste into next-gen polyester.

• Arielle Hogan (Vancouver, BC): Arca is scaling carbon mineralization technology.

Climate Startup Prize Finalists (Powered by Cycle Momentum) 

• Gillian Holcroft (Montréal, QC): Green Graphite Tech optimizes natural and recycled graphite for lithium-ion batteries.

• Craig Buntin (Montréal, QC): Rise combines robotics, materials science, and AI for low-carbon construction.

• Emily Farrar (Montréal, QC): Genuine Taste produces real animal fat—without animals—for a better alternative meat.

• Michael Di Mare (Montréal, QC): Bauxite Technologies delivers a dual solution for green aluminum and construction.

• Michelle Secours (Montréal, QC): Frëtt Solutions, via etrëma, offers reusable medical masks good for 100+ uses.

• (Montréal, QC): Harvest Moon is cutting the environmental footprint of dairy with B2B solutions.

• Nathan Hostettler (Montréal, QC): EleQtrion designs safer, cleaner batteries for energy and mobility.

• Parinaz Pakniat (Montréal, QC): PakVille reinvents prefab housing with sustainable materials.

• Samy Benhamza (Montréal, QC): CAPSolar makes solar panels tailored for electric mobility.

• Farhad Farnia (Montréal, QC): Ecofilter Tek created reversible, chemical-free charge-switching surfaces.

Breakthrough Research Prize Finalists 

• Maxime Vaidis (Chicoutimi, QC): Groupe Carvi/Université Laval’s ScanTree helps forestry workers avoid waste.

• Martin Brouillette (Sherbrooke, QC): Université de Sherbrooke: Direct CO₂ capture from industrial sites.

• Andy Lam (Halifax, NS): CarbonRun enhances CO₂ absorption in rivers.

• Majid Bahrami (Burnaby, BC): Simon Fraser University: Transforms industrial waste heat into clean energy.

• Jaber Darabi (London, ON): VoltaMat is innovating greener synthetic graphite production.

• Aaron Guan (Markham, ON): Neptune Nanotechnologies transforms seafood shell waste into biodegradable plastic alternatives.

• Josh Clarke (Thorold, ON): Destiny Copper slashes emissions in copper production by up to 90%.

• James Cotton (Hamilton, ON): McMaster University + Pizza Pizza: Recycling heat from cooking to warm potable water.

• Kevin Danner (Headingley, MB): Carbon Lock Technologies turns CO₂ into sequestered biochar and bio-oil.

About the Climate Solutions Prize 

Founded in 2020, the Climate Solutions Prize (CSP) was created to serve as a catalyst for climate action by accelerating innovation, investment, and collaboration. Through its annual flagship event, the Climate Solutions Prize Festival brings together innovators, investors, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders to spotlight and scale breakthrough environmental technologies and solutions — creating a nexus between innovation and investment to accelerate a sustainable climate future.

For more information, visit www.climatesolutionsprize.com.

Media contact 

EGS PR

Jennifer Ahken

ja@egspr.com 

514-952-2072