Program members encourage sustainable, smart city and digital solutions
March 31, 2021 (Vancouver, BC): Today, Vancouver Economic Commission debuted Project Greenlight, a regional demonstration platform that facilitates connections between public and private enterprises (members) and the local and global innovation community. The initiative launched with founding members FortisBC, TransLink, City of Vancouver, City of New Westminster and QuadReal introducing open and targeted calls intended to advance their sustainable, smart and digital goals.
Project Greenlight is built around a challenge process that enables members to source, screen and onboard solutions at a rapid pace, and connect innovators to valuable demonstration opportunities. By unlocking new opportunities for innovation and facilitating a rapid and streamlined path for greenlighting solutions, the platform aims to amplify Metro Vancouver’s startup ecosystem and accelerate smart and sustainable transformation across the region.
Innovators can submit proposals to open calls at any time, while targeted calls indicate deadlines for submission. Proponents whose solutions are selected for implementation can pilot their proposed technology in a real-world environment, using the pilots as a launchpad to scale innovation, create jobs and attract investment.
Two Project Greenlight members have issued targeted calls requiring innovative solutions:
- City of Vancouver – seeking smart technology monitoring solutions for green rainwater infrastructure, which would provide real-time system performance data and maintenance trigger data for less cost. *Details to be posted mid-April.
- QuadReal – seeking leak detection and prevention solutions that reduce the need for water-damage restoration
Several members have issued open calls that will be evaluated on an ongoing basis. These include:
- TransLink – seeking technologies that improve work in digital services, infrastructure and fleet, and building energy management; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and develop ridership
- FortisBC – identifying technologies that improve utility maintenance and operations work, including drones, augmented reality and virtual reality, and artificial intelligence
- City of New Westminster – seeking innovations in digital technologies that increase resident engagement and improve the city’s operational effectiveness; and solutions to build intelligent infrastructure that supports a safe, smart and resilient community
- City of Vancouver – exploring innovative ideas that address several sustainability goals and digital priorities, with each solution falling within the areas of transportation, zero-waste, rainwater and buildings and digital infrastructure
- QuadReal – exploring technologies to implement across its residential, office and light-industrial real estate portfolio, including improvements to connectivity and digital security, occupancy tracking systems, and anything that enhances sustainability and the tenant experience
Project Greenlight will announce new targeted or open calls as they are posted. To view active challenges, click here.
“Our Government is committed to building a greener, more innovative and more inclusive economy,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and Minister responsible for PacificCAN. “Project Greenlight provides innovators with ongoing opportunities to offer much-needed climate solutions that will stimulate growth, create high quality jobs and ensure a sustainable transition to a clean economy.”
“Today’s launch is a demonstration of how creativity, collaboration and innovation from community members, the private sector and government can help create more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities,” said Nicole Vadori, Associate Vice President and Head of Environment, TD Bank Group. “Through the TD Ready Commitment, the Bank’s global citizenship platform, we are thrilled to support the Vancouver Economic Commission and their development of Project Greenlight. This unique program embodies our joint commitment of helping create tailored solutions that drive low-carbon economic growth.”
Project Greenlight is supported by program delivery partner Foresight, and sponsored by an investment from TD Bank Group and $353,550 from PacificCAN. For more information, visit www.projectgreenlight.io.
About Project Greenlight:
Project Greenlight is a membership-based demonstration platform that supports public and private enterprises (members) by advancing their sustainability, smart, and digital goals. The platform is built around a challenge process that addresses members’ innovation needs and enables them to source, screen, and onboard solutions at a faster pace than would be possible under conventional procurement processes. By unlocking new opportunities for innovation, Project Greenlight aims to amplify Metro Vancouver’s startup ecosystem and accelerate smart and sustainable transformation across the region.
About the Vancouver Economic Commission:
The Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC) serves one of the world’s fastest-growing, low-carbon economies. VEC works to strengthen Vancouver’s economic future by supporting local companies, attracting high-impact investment, conducting and publishing leading-edge industry research, and promoting international trade. As the economic development agency for the city’s businesses, investors and citizens, VEC’s contributes to building a prosperous, inclusive, zero-carbon and resilient local economy, competitively positioned in the global market.
VEC respectfully acknowledges that it is located on the unceded ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ / sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
