Author: Chelsie Cake
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RFP – Community Efficiency Financing: Brand and Website Development
Background
econext, a non-profit association working to accelerate clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), is currently in the process of launching a new residential retrofit program in St. John’s, NL. This initiative is designed to help homeowners improve energy efficiency through energy audits, guided support and low-interest financing. econext will also facilitate industry training to support capacity building. By helping residents navigate retrofits while reducing financial barriers, this program will help more homeowners take action to improve energy efficiency, lower utility bills, and reduce their environmental footprint.
Objective
The objective of this scope of work is to create a compelling visual identity, and develop an accessible website that drives engagement from the public and industry professionals. This website will be a key piece of the application process, and will host information and FAQs for interested parties to learn more and assess their own benefits.
The deadline for proposals is 4:30 PM NDT May 21, 2025.
Please Note: An updated copy of the RFP was released on May 16, 2025.
Questions and Answers
Answers provided by econext relating to the RFP will be posted here.
What is econext‘s role in this program, will they be providing the loans and energy audits?
econext will be facilitating and helping guide homeowners through the retrofit process, by connecting them with the appropriate parties to offer these services. econext will not be conducting the energy audits or financial services itself. Further information on the program’s process will be discussed with the successful applicant.
Who will be the main audience for this initiative?
The primary audience for this program will be homeowners based in the St. John’s area. econext will also work to engage those in the industry who may be involved in the home renovation process, to make them aware of the service and the benefits to themselves or their clients.
Will econext be offering renovation grants through this program?
No. econext will work to help make participants aware of existing grants or supports, and assist them in applying to relevant initiatives.
How closely should the new brand align with econext’s existing visual identity?
This brand must be able to be a subset of econext’s activities and stand apart from the main econext brand in order for the program to be scalable.
Will the vendor need to be located within Canada, or can the work be completed from international locations?
Vendors may be based internationally; however, they must maintain a Canadian-based office to ensure effective communication and facilitate meetings across time zones. econext is headquartered in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Will the vendor be required to build a cost-saving calculator from scratch? Are there any other details you can provide about this feature?
For the purpose of this proposal, proponents can exclude this scope of work.
econext celebrates the achievements of of its members with 2025 Industry Awards
econext and TD Recognize Leaders in Clean Growth at 2025 Industry Awards
For Immediate Release
April 22, 2025
econext, in partnership with TD, proudly recognized the achievements of local innovators and leaders in the clean technology and environmental services sectors at its Annual General Meeting and Industry Awards Reception on April 16, 2025.
“Businesses and individuals across Newfoundland and Labrador are leading the way in the green economy,” said Kieran Hanley, CEO of econext. “Our industry awards are an opportunity to celebrate that leadership and shine a light on the incredible work being done in our province.”
The following awards were presented during this year’s event:
- Cleantech Innovation Award – Atlantic XL
- Business Excellence Award – Waterford Energy Services Inc.
- International Business Award – Rutter Inc.
- Industry Champion Award – Ashley Noseworthy, Edgewise Environmental
Each recipient represents a unique contribution to the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador — from commercializing new technologies and expanding into international markets, to championing sustainable practices and shaping the future of our industry.
“Congratulations to all of our award winners,” added Hanley. “Your work is helping to drive meaningful change and build a cleaner, stronger future for the province.”
More information about the awards and recipients can be found in the backgrounder below.
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. For more information, visit https://econext.ca/.
Backgrounder
Business Excellence Award
econext‘s Business Excellence Award recognizes a significant initiative or achievement of a business engaged in Newfoundland and Labrador’s green economy. This could include the completion of specific projects, business growth milestones, or a contribution to the community from a sustainability or corporate social responsibility perspective. The award is judged according to the initiative or achievement’s impact as it relates to economic growth and development, positive environmental effects, and public awareness of green economy and environmental challenges or opportunities.
econext is proud to present the 2025 Business Excellence Award to Waterford Energy Services Inc.
WESI stood out in 2024 for its leadership in advancing offshore renewable energy. Key achievements include a feasibility study for ERI NL on floating offshore wind turbines, a port infrastructure study in the Strait of Canso, and a co-authored whitepaper on a 700 MW offshore wind project in Nova Scotia. Their expert contributions to regional and national offshore wind assessments highlight their role as a leader in the clean energy space.
Equally committed to local growth, WESI invests in talent development through partnerships with Memorial University, Dalhousie, and MITACS, supporting research in areas like ice accretion and battery energy storage. Their dedication to applied research, student learning opportunities, and international knowledge-sharing makes them a deserving recipient of the 2025 Business Excellence Award.
Cleantech Innovation Award
econext’s Cleantech Innovation Award recognizes innovation at any stage of development in business and academia – from research and development, to commercialization, to refinement – of products, services, or processes that can mitigate effects to, protect, or enhance the environment. The award is judged according to the uniqueness of the innovation, the potential for positive environmental impact, and the potential for commercial application.
The winner of this year’s Cleantech Innovation Award is Atlantic XL.
This award recognizes game-changing solutions that protect the environment and offer strong potential for commercial impact — and Atlantic XL’s work in additive manufacturing (AM) checks every box. Their 3D printing solutions reduce supply chain risk, cut lead times, and help businesses extend the life of critical equipment by producing parts on demand, minimizing downtime and waste.
What sets Atlantic XL apart is their commitment to sustainability. By localizing production, their AM technology reduces transportation emissions and material waste, while supporting the circular economy here in Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s a clear example of how innovation and impact can go hand in hand — and we’re proud to celebrate their leadership in cleantech.
International Business Award
econext‘s International Business Award recognizes a significant initiative or achievement of a Newfoundland and Labrador organization engaged in international business activities relating to cleantech or environmental services. Initiatives or achievements could include export success, diversification into new sectors or markets, collaborative research and development, or the establishment of international partners. The award is judged according to the relative impact of the internationalization activity for the individual business and/or the industry at-large.
The winner of this year’s International Business Award is Rutter Inc.
A long-time leader in radar image processing, Rutter continues to set the standard for maritime innovation from right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. Their newest platform, Rutter Unify, connects radar systems across vessels, platforms, and control centers — and is already being used in Brazil by energy sector operators and ocean conservation organizations to monitor oil spill detection systems in real time. With over 2,000 systems shipped worldwide and more than 25 years of export success, Rutter’s global impact is clear.
Through cutting-edge technology, international partnerships, and a commitment to safety and environmental monitoring, Rutter is proudly representing NL on the world stage. We’re thrilled to recognize their achievements with this year’s International Business Award.
Industry Champion Award
econext’s prestigious Industry Champion Award recognizes the contribution of an individual to the growth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean technology and environmental services sector.
Ashley Noseworthy, Founder and CEO of Edgewise Environmental, is the recipient of econext’s 2025 Industry Champion Award!
A recognized leader in marine environmental monitoring, Ashley has been instrumental in modernizing the ocean technology sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. Through her work as CEO and Founder of Edgewise Environmental, she’s helped grow the province’s global reputation in sustainability-focused innovation, while leading a multidisciplinary team. Her contributions include launching Canada’s first formal training programs for MMOs, SBOs, and PAM operators — and expanding access to critical offshore skills and expertise.
Ashley’s commitment to industry transformation, inclusivity, and long-term impact sets her apart. She continues to shape best practices, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and push for more opportunities for women in offshore and marine industries. Her leadership is helping define the future of environmental services in this province and beyond.
Green Roots – Corner Brook Edition
Empowering Newcomers for Careers in the Green Economy – Corner Brook Edition
Are you a newcomer to Canada looking to build your career in the green economy? The Green Roots Career Series offers a unique opportunity to develop essential job-seeking skills, expand your network, and connect with potential employers. Through workshops, participants will gain valuable insights and even have a chance to secure an internship with a participating company.
*While attendance at each workshop not mandatory for program participation, it is highly encouraged to give applicants the best chance at securing an internship.
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Upcoming Events
Workshop: Power Up Your Personal Brand + Grow Your Network
Location: MUN Grenfell Campus, Corner Brook
Date: Thursday, May 1st, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.
RSVP Here
Open House: Industry Connector Event
Location: City of Corner Brook
Date: Friday, May 2nd, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.
RSVP Here
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Internship Selection
At the conclusion of the events, one participant from the Corner Brook region will be selected for an internship with a participating company.
• Internship Duration: May – July
• Eligibility: Newcomer to Canada
This is your chance to kickstart your career in a growing industry!
CNA students shine Bright in econext’s first virtual ideathon
St. John’s, NL — From March 12–28, students from across the College of the North Atlantic came together virtually to innovate, collaborate, and pitch bold solutions to some of the province’s most pressing sustainability challenges. The event, econext‘s first-ever virtual ideathon, challenged participants to think creatively and develop sustainable solutions to real-world problems.
Top Placing Teams
First Place Winners
Hydro Heroes (Keenan Crawley, Breanna Seward, Nathan Cave, and Dyana) took home first place for their concept that focuses on biogas production as a clean, renewable energy alternative for the seafood industry, reducing waste and emissions in one of Atlantic Canada’s most vital sectors.
Second Place Winners
Best Kind Solutions (Ashley Hoskins, Corvin Greenham, and Ethan Lane) earned second place with their idea centered on lithium-ion battery recycling. Their proposal aimed to minimize environmental harm while promoting sustainable practices within the rapidly growing tech industries.
Third Place Winners
Earth Advocates (Victoria Osmond, Amber Chippett, Claire Bombis, and Bethany Roberts) took third place with the introduction of Trash for Tokens, a mobile app that encourages waste reduction by rewarding users for recycling, while also supporting local businesses.
“We really enjoyed opening up the challenge theme to let students explore what they were passionate about,” said Chelsea Linfield, Project Finance Manager with econext. “That flexibility sparked a lot of creativity and led to some really innovative ideas we might not have seen otherwise.”
Alex Rumbolt, econext‘s Business Sustainability Lead who also helped lead the event, agreed. “The ideas from the students were incredible. Even though it was virtual, the collaboration and enthusiasm felt just as strong as any in-person event. It allowed us to connect with students across the province.”
econext extends sincere thanks to all its partners, mentors and judges who helped make the first virtual ideathon a success. econext would also like to thank its sponsor, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Credit Union, for supporting this event and helping students explore opportunities in the green economy.
This ideathon was made possible through partnership with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER), and with support from the Government of Canada.
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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.
About BHER
The Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that brings together Canada’s top businesses and post-secondary institutions. BHER works to strengthen partnerships, expand work-integrated learning opportunities, and drive innovation. Learn more at www.bher.ca.
The Project Zero econext Circular Economy Incubator is looking for big ideas to power a circular economy
St. John’s, NL – March 31, 2025 — If you’ve got an idea that could reduce waste, rethink resource use, or create cleaner, more sustainable ways of doing business, econext wants to hear from you.
The Project Zero econext Circular Economy Incubator is a free clean growth incubator designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs build solutions for a circular economy—where materials stay in use, waste is designed out, and environmental impact is part of the equation from day one.
You don’t need to have a full business plan or a finished product. If you’ve got a concept, a prototype, or even just the beginning of a big idea, this virtual program can help you take it to the next level.
Selected participants get:
• Access to expert mentorship
• Workshops and training
• Support with funding, pitching, and commercialization
• A network of people who care about solving real-world problems
Whether you’re working on sustainable fashion, circular design, food waste—or something completely unexpected—this incubator is a space to build, test, and grow your idea from wherever you are in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Applications are open now and close April 6, 2025.
Apply today at econext.ca/project-zero
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.
About Synergy Foundation
Synergy Foundation was created in 2013 by the Synergy Enterprises team and a group of passionate community members and leaders who recognized the need for a non-profit organization to lead the transition towards a green economy on the west coast. Since its inception, Synergy Foundation has focused on innovative projects and programs that have pushed the envelope, supported hundreds of businesses, and turned great ideas into action.
Our core focus areas include supporting communities and businesses in adopting circular economy practices and advancing green business operations to foster a regenerative, inclusive, and equitable economy. This is represented in our core initiatives: BC Green Business, Project Zero, and the Ecostar Awards.
