Month: October 2025

Holiday Social

Posted on by Chelsie Cake

Date: Wednesday December 10, 2025
Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: JAG Hotel, 115 George St W, St. John’s, NL A1C 0B7

Join us for our 2025 Holiday Social!

It’s the most wonderful time of the of year again, our econext 2025 Holiday Social! This event will be held on Wednesday December 10th, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the JAG Hotel in St. John’s.

In lieu of a ticket cost, econext is raising funds for the Community Food Sharing Association and the Single Parent Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. Donations can be made through the registration page.

Register Here

We are looking forward to hosting our members, stakeholders and partners for some festive holiday cheer. Our networking events provide amazing opportunities to meet new contributors in the green economy, chat with familiar faces, and enjoy some refreshments.

Interested in partnering with econext on this event? For more details, please contact Colin Heffernan, Manager of Industry and Community Engagement, by e-mail at heffernan@econext.ca.

 

 

WORKSHOP: Energy Storage with Angler Solutions

Posted on by Chelsie Cake

Workshop Overview

Date: November 25, 2025

Time: 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Location: Co. Innovation Centre, 710 Torbay Rd (Suite A), St. John’s, NL

Angler Solutions Inc. will share insights from a recent paper that explores the potential and opportunities for energy storage systems in Newfoundland and Labrador. The presentation will cover the current technology landscape, applications from industrial, grid-level to export potential, as well as key considerations such as economic impacts and regulatory challenges. Following the presentation, participants will engage in a guided discussion to identify priority areas and potential opportunities for collaborative, industry-driven research and development on energy storage.

Register Here

Virtual attendance for this event is available. 

Workshop Objective:

To spark and advance provincial dialogue on innovation opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean energy sector, with a particular focus on energy storage systems, including hybrid solutions, SDES/LDES, and recommendations. 

Ideal Workshop Participants:

This workshop is designed for stakeholders from academia, industry developers, and policy makers within the province who are engaged in or interested in energy storage technologies and services, and who want to explore how these can be applied to Newfoundland and Labrador’s growing clean energy industry.

Registration

Cost:

$25 + applicable fees + HST for econext members

$50 + applicable fees + HST for non-members

Please register using the above link.

Cleantech Connect – Angler Solutions

Posted on by Chelsie Cake

Description

This series showcases digital, remote, and autonomous technologies designed to optimize operations and maintenance across the province’s energy and infrastructure sectors.

Each week, a Newfoundland & Labrador-based finalist who submitted a solution to the econext Clean Energy Infrastructure Optimization Challenge will take the stage at Co. Innovation Centre to share their story, present their idea, or demonstrate their technology in action. These innovators are developing scalable, sustainable solutions to address real-world challenges.

Time: Thursday December 4, 9:00 – 10:15am NDT
Location: 710 Torbay Road St. John’s, NL A1A 5G9

Register Here

Angler Solutions

Angler Solutions will be featured in this weeks session, offering a short overview of their company and their MESO (Model for Energy Systems Optimization) platform, followed by a brief demonstration.

Angler Solutions Inc. is a Newfoundland-based consulting and technology firm working across the energy and ocean technology sectors. Founded in 2020, their team draws on experience in offshore oil and gas and electricity, now focused on advancing renewable and diversified energy systems.

They specialize in early-phase project development, energy systems modelling, techno-economic analysis, and renewable integration studies. Their in-house MESO platform models and optimizes hybrid energy systems that combine wind, solar, hydro, and hydrogen with energy storage, including batteries and thermal storage. MESO can also simulate diesel generation systems used in isolated or remote communities to evaluate diversification pathways and lower-carbon transitions.

Angler helps clients de-risk early investment decisions and develop practical, data-driven roadmaps toward commercial readiness. They collaborate with partners across Canada, the UK, and Europe to deliver high-impact projects in renewable energy and ocean technology.

Whether you’re in industry, government, academia, or simply passionate about clean technology, Cleantech Connect is your opportunity to engage with the people and ideas driving Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean energy future.

Cleantech Connect – Copsys

Posted on by Chelsie Cake

Description

This series showcases digital, remote, and autonomous technologies designed to optimize operations and maintenance across the province’s energy and infrastructure sectors.

Each week, a Newfoundland & Labrador-based finalist who submitted a solution to the econext Clean Energy Infrastructure Optimization Challenge will take the stage at Co. Innovation Centre to share their story, present their idea, or demonstrate their technology in action. These innovators are developing scalable, sustainable solutions to address real-world challenges.

Time: Thursday November 27, 9:00 – 10:15am NDT
Location: 710 Torbay Road St. John’s, NL A1A 5G9

Register Here

Copsys Technologies

Copsys will be featured in this weeks session, presenting their innovative approach as part of this exciting Cleantech Connect lineup.

Copsys Technologies is a start-up bringing its patented Copsys Intelligent Digital Skin (CIDS) to market, with a mission to digitally transform the way critical infrastructure is protected. Unlike traditional coatings, CIDS is a data-driven system that identifies risks early, reduces asset degradation, extends asset lifespan, and cuts maintenance costs.

CEO Michael Maguire will present recent developments and ongoing projects advancing disruptive applications across industries such as energy, renewables, marine, and naval toward commercial readiness.

Whether you’re in industry, government, academia, or simply passionate about clean technology, Cleantech Connect is your opportunity to engage with the people and ideas driving Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean energy future.

Cleantech Connect – Oil Filtration Solutions

Posted on by Chelsie Cake

Description

This series showcases digital, remote, and autonomous technologies designed to optimize operations and maintenance across the province’s energy and infrastructure sectors.

Each week, a Newfoundland & Labrador-based finalist who submitted a solution to the econext Clean Energy Infrastructure Optimization Challenge will take the stage at Co. Innovation Centre to share their story, present their idea, or demonstrate their technology in action. These innovators are developing scalable, sustainable solutions to address real-world challenges.

Time: Thursday November 20, 10:00 – 11:15am NDT
Location: 710 Torbay Road St. John’s, NL A1A 5G9

Register Here

Oil Filtration Solutions Ltd.

Oil Filtration Solutions Ltd.  will be featured in this weeks session, presenting their innovative approach as part of this exciting lineup.

Presentation Blurb:
Our session will introduce Oil Filtration Solutions Ltd. (OFS) and its innovative oil recycling and purification technologies that enhance equipment reliability, reduce maintenance costs, extend lubricant service life, and reduce environmental impact. The presentation will also feature a brief demonstration of our Oil Recycling Technology and latest smart oil monitoring device designed for remote applications or those requiring constant oil monitoring.

Presenter Bio:
Bill Butler is the President of Oil Filtration Solutions Ltd., based in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland & Labrador. A graduated of Memorial University of Newfoundland (B.A., B.Sc.) and with over two decades of experience in industrial filtration and clean technology, Bill has led the company’s expansion into international markets. His leadership focuses on advancing practical, cost-effective solutions to reduce the consumption, transportation, and storage of hazardous materials and support the global transition toward cleaner, more efficient energy systems.

Company Bio:
Oil Filtration Solutions Ltd. (OFS) is a Newfoundland and Labrador–based clean technology company specializing in advanced oil purification and recycling systems for industrial and renewable energy applications. Founded in 2002, OFS represents technologies that remove water and ultra-fine contaminants missed by conventional oil filtering technologies, from diesel engine, turbine, gear, hydraulic, and transformer oils—restoring oil performance, extending equipment & oil life, and reducing environmental impact. OFS, also offer next-generation smart monitoring technologies measuring key oil health metrics in real time, enabling predictive maintenance and lower operating costs. The company serves clients across the marine, construction, transportation, power generation, and renewable energy sectors in Canada and internationally.

Whether you’re in industry, government, academia, or simply passionate about clean technology, Cleantech Connect is your chance to connect with the people and ideas shaping Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean energy future.

Cleantech Connect – SEM

Posted on by Chelsie Cake

Description

This series showcases digital, remote, and autonomous technologies designed to optimize operations and maintenance across the province’s energy and infrastructure sectors.

Each week, a Newfoundland & Labrador-based finalist who submitted a solution to the econext Clean Energy Infrastructure Optimization Challenge will take the stage at Co. Innovation Centre to share their story, present their idea, or demonstrate their technology in action. These innovators are developing scalable, sustainable solutions to address real-world challenges.

Time: Thursday November 13, 9:00 – 10:15am NDT
Location: 710 Torbay Road St. John’s, NL A1A 5G9

Register Here

Sikumiut Environmental Management Ltd. (SEM)

As part of the series, Sikumiut Environmental Management Ltd. (SEM) will present its technology initiatives, highlighting environmental sensing, AI modeling, and geospatial software development.

Founded in 2022 and proudly rooted in Newfoundland & Labrador, SEM began with a mission to deliver smart, sustainable environmental solutions tailored to local needs. Over time, SEM has grown into a dynamic company offering expertise across five service areas:

Environment
Geomatics
Digital Solutions
Engagement
Recruitment

SEM develops practical, locally informed strategies that promote responsible development. With a growing focus on technology, the company explores innovative ways to solve client challenges. With experience across both public and private sectors, SEM brings a deep understanding of the regulatory, environmental, economic, and social considerations involved in projects of all sizes. Wherever SEM works across the province, the goal is to create meaningful, lasting impact across communities and industries.

Whether you’re in industry, government, academia, or simply passionate about clean technology, Cleantech Connect is your opportunity to engage with the people and ideas driving Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean energy future.

Residential Building Deep Retrofit Discovery Session

Posted on by Chelsie Cake

The ReCover Initiative, in partnership with econext, is pleased to invite you to the next round of community sessions for residential and small multi-unit owners on the afternoon of November 6, 2025. These workshops build on insights gathered during the March 2025 sessions and are designed to foster deep retrofits for homes and buildings.

Register Here

About the Community Sessions

Session Goal

To present key findings from the March 2025 sessions and gather your feedback on proposed strategies.

Session Format

This session will include a:

  1. Lunch
  2. Brief presentation outlining the background
  3. Discussion on the following key topics: Building understanding and awareness about deep retrofits through clear messaging and communication, helping you chart a deep retrofit pathway that maximizes your investment, defining the role and responsibilities of a Navigator to support homeowners through the retrofit process, and exploring financial incentives for deep retrofits.

Who Should Attend

Homeowners and owners/operators of multi-unit residential properties (three storeys or less) and subject matter experts who are:

  • Interested in energy efficiency and deep retrofitting
  • Willing to share their views openly

No knowledge of energy efficiency or deep retrofit experience is required.

Date: November 6th, 2025

Time: 12.30 p.m. – 5 p.m. NDT

Location: Alt Hotel, Cyan Room

What to Expect

  • An overview on the findings from the March community sessions
  • Presentation of current research findings and common building types
  • Next steps for reporting back to you

We recognize the value of your time and greatly appreciate your commitment to supporting homeowners and small multi-unit building owners in advancing deep retrofits. This session is planned to be both practical and energizing. You’ll hear from experts on strategic communications, retrofit planning, and funding options.

One participant from each province will be selected for a personalized ReCover session to discuss deep retrofit opportunities for their property. Participants will also receive a branded workshop kit.

We hope you’ll join us for this important session, an opportunity to co-create strategies to help homeowners navigate deep retrofits for existing buildings.

The capacity is limited, please register soon!

From runways to rooftops: Students explore sustainable solutions at fifth econext Ideathon

Posted on by Chelsie Cake

St. John’s, NL  — From September 19–21, Memorial University hosted the fifth econext Clean Growth Ideathon, bringing together students with one shared goal: to come up with real solutions that help reduce carbon emissions.

This year’s challenge asked participants to design a system, product, or approach that could meaningfully reduce or offset a carbon footprint, whether for individuals, communities, or companies. Over the course of the weekend, students worked in teams, guided by mentors and industry professionals, to turn their early ideas into pitchable concepts.

First Place Winners

First place went to NLight (Farhan Probandho, Aria AzadiPour, Aayushman Srivastava, Kasey Keats), a team tackling the environmental impact of fast fashion and textiles. Their project focused on turning discarded clothing into new, usable materials, cutting down on textile waste and the emissions that come from fabric breakdown.

Second Place Winners

In second place, Fantastic 4 + 1 (Aiyan Raaid, Mohammad Rajin Hasan, Allison Wragg, Kelvin Fumo, Jake Clarke), proposed a plan to bring green roof technology to buildings throughout the downtown St. John’s core. The team highlighted how vegetated rooftops could help lower building emissions, improve insulation, and save energy, while also cooling the city and supporting biodiversity.

Third Place Winners (Supported by NLCU)

Third place went to HARRA – TERRA (Blessing Torti, Abdullah Khan, Okechukwu Ezekwesili, Zainab Parween), whose idea turns organic and fish waste into clean electricity. Their proposed system captures methane produced during decomposition and converts it into power, creating a local energy source from materials that would otherwise go to waste.

“These ideas show how practical, creative, and forward-thinking students are,” said Timilehin Oguntuyaki, Green Career Development & Training Lead with econext. “Every team approached the challenge differently, but all shared the same drive to find solutions that could work here in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The ideathon included workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities throughout the weekend. Students gained hands-on experience developing ideas with sustainability at the core, an approach that reflects econext’s ongoing work to support the green economy across the province and represent a wide array of diverse perspectives for change .

econext thanks all mentors, judges, and partners who contributed to the event, and extends special appreciation to takeCHARGE NL and NLCU for their continued support.

For more information about future ideathons or partnership opportunities, contact:
Timilehin Oguntuyaki – timilehin@econext.ca

About econext
econext is a not-for-profit association with a mission to accelerate clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador by: (1) stimulating research, development, and innovation; (2) preparing its workforce for a greening economy; and (3) acting as a catalyst for climate change action within its industries, businesses, and communities. econext has been working for over 30 years on behalf of its members across many sectors to support environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

EOI – Scale-Up Hub Benelux

Posted on by kieran

Request for Expressions of Interest

International Business Development Consulting Services for Atlantic Canadian SMEs Exploring Opportunities in the Benelux Region



Scale-Up Hub Benelux is a strategic initiative designed to help Atlantic Canada’s clean tech and energy innovators land and grow in Europe.

This program will help small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) throughout Atlantic Canada unlock new partnerships, gain market access, and position themselves for long-term growth across the European Union (EU), using the Benelux region as the launchpad.

econext is leading the program in collaboration with the governments of Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador with and tech NL supporting.

This EOI is an invitation by econext on behalf of its partners to prospective proponents to submit proposals for the provision of consulting services.

Date of Issue: October 22, 2025
Submission Deadline: November 19, 2025

Download Request for EOIs

Questions and Answers

Questions received on or before November 25, 2025 will be published here (unattributed) with accompanying answers.

The EOI mentions a total budget of CAD 150,000 (including applicable taxes). Could you please confirm whether this amount represents the total available budget for all 15 participating SMEs combined? We would like to confirm whether this figure covers all costs, such as travel and expenses for the organization of two trade missions, or whether it refers only to consulting fees.
The budget represents the total available for all participating SMEs. This figure is meant to cover consulting fees. Consultants are not expected to travel or organize trade missions.

The EOI states that the maximum project budget is $150,000 ‘inclusive of applicable taxes’. This stipulation puts companies in jurisdictions with a higher taxation rate at a disadvantage.
The EOI has been adjusted (October 25, 2025) to indicate that the maximum project budget is $150,000 ‘exclusive‘ of applicable/required taxes. This places all respondents on event ground regardless of geography.

Please provide more information on Atlantic Canadian SMEs.
​The Atlantic Canadian SMEs that will participate in the project have not yet been selected. SMEs will be selected following a competitive process before the end of 2025. To get a general idea of the types of companies that might participate in this program, you can view the econext membership directory. It is important to note that this list of SMEs is only representative of clean technology and environmental service companies in Newfoundland and Labrador, whereas Atlantic Canada also includes the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

The organization of two trade missions: are these the main activities or just a small part of the overall program? What would be the targeted number of meetings per participant during these trade missions? And would be the target countries for these trade missions (only one country or all three)?
The two trade missions are important activities in the overall program because they will provide opportunities for in-person meetings and the building of business relationships. The level of importance to each company will depend on their specific needs. For some companies this may be the centerpiece of their market engagement. For other companies this may be more straight-forward and used to maintain existing relationships. It is expected that the minimum number of new business leads or potential clients will be at least 15 per company. The target countries for the trade missions is ‘to be determined’ as this will depend on the expressed preferences of the companies.

What would be the specific interest of companies from the sectors concerned in Luxembourg? For the Netherlands and Belgium, the market opportunities are clear. However, for Luxembourg, market opportunities in these sectors might be smaller.
We agree that opportunities in each market will be different and at different scales. Ultimately, it will be up to the companies selected to the program to identify which market(s) they are interested in and why.

What will be the most decisive expectations for this project?
Quantitative measures include (1) total number of new business leads or potential clients for companies, and (2) total number of capital engagements (i.e., funding/financing, strategic partnerships, MOUs, etc.) through the life of the project.

To what extent do the services go? For example, is it limited to selecting trade partners for the delegates and presenting these partners to them? Does it include setting up one-on-one meetings with these partners? Or does it go beyond this, such as participating in meetings with prospects or trade partners, carrying out direct follow-up initiatives, and providing assistance during possible negotiations?
This depends on the needs of each participating company. It is possible that assistance is provided in all of the ways that are described above. Ultimately, each company will be able to use the hours available to them from consultants towards services that the company and consultant agree would be the most helpful and impactful.

Insight Accounting Professional Corporation

Posted on by Colin Heffernan

Insight Accounting is a boutique accounting and advisory firm based in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador. We provide customized, high-value financial solutions to help small and medium-sized businesses, not-for-profits, and entrepreneurs achieve clarity, compliance, and growth. Our team of experienced CPAs and accounting professionals offers hands-on support ranging from bookkeeping to fractional CFO services.

Core Services

• Fractional CFO & Controller Services – Strategic financial leadership, cash flow management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Accounting & Bookkeeping – Day-to-day accounting, reconciliations, month-end close, and year-end preparation.
• Financial Reporting & Analysis – Preparation of management reports, KPI dashboards, and variance analysis.
• CRA Compliance – HST returns, payroll remittances, and other government reporting requirements.
• Payroll & Benefits Administration – Full-service payroll setup, processing, and CRA compliance.
• System Implementation & Process Improvement – QuickBooks Online setup, automation tools, and workflow optimization.
• Not-for-Profit Financial Management – Grant tracking, fund reporting, and board-ready financial statements.
• Advisory & Consulting – Business planning, cash flow forecasting, and financial structure optimization for growth.