Read five reasons businesses should make Halifax home for their cleantech investments, including collaboration opportunities with NSCC's Applied Energy Research team.
Halifax is quickly becoming a hot spot in Canada for clean and climate technology. It's an ideal place to grow your cleantech business, invest in startups, or discover innovative solutions that boost efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.
From renewable energy to cutting-edge battery technology, Halifax is buzzing with opportunities for companies shaping the future of the green economy. It's a city where connections are easy to make, collaboration thrives, and success is something everyone is rooting for.
If you're looking for the perfect place to innovate, expand, or invest in cleantech, Halifax has everything you need to make it happen. Keep reading to learn why this vibrant city is the ultimate location for your next green venture.
What is the Green Economy?
In a green economy1,2, growth in employment and income come from public and private investments in economic activities that lower carbon emissions, reduce pollution, use energy and resources efficiently, protect wildlife and biodiversity, cut down on waste, and improve quality of life and social inclusion.
What's exciting is that investing in green solutions isn't just good for the planet - it's also good for business. Experts at McKinsey Global Institute predict that the global push for net-zero solutions could bring in over $12 trillion by 2030, with huge growth in areas like transportation, renewable energy, and hydrogen technology.
The green economy is a win-win for businesses, people, and the planet - and it's just getting started.
Canada's Commitment to Sustainability
Canada is dedicated to building a strong economy that thrives in a low-carbon, sustainable world. By working with public, private, and academic partners both at home and globally, the country is bringing innovative and competitive clean technologies to life.
Canada's business environment is designed to support R&D with incentives and forward-thinking policies. These include initiatives for better transportation infrastructure, renewable energy, zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs), disaster relief, cross-provincial projects, and updated national building codes.
For companies focused on clean technology, Canada is a fantastic place to grow and succeed. Many businesses in this space will tell you that it's the perfect environment for turning big ideas into reality.
Halifax: A Growing Hub for Cleantech Investment
Halifax is focused on creating a resilient, healthy, and net-zero future while tackling current and future climate challenges. By working with the private sector, all orders of government, and local universities and colleges, we're advancing climate goals through science, innovation, investment, and infrastructure.
For green sector businesses, Halifax offers everything needed to compete on a global scale. Our research and innovation sectors are leaders in their fields, welcoming partners and investors to collaborate on groundbreaking solutions for climate change and clean growth.
Join our thriving, connected cleantech community - we're ready to build the future together!
Fast fact: HalifACT, Halifax's bold and comprehensive climate action plan, aims for net-zero municipal operations by 2030 and a net-zero community by 2050. This plan provides funding, incentives, and resources to help residents and businesses adopt green technologies and prepare for climate change.
5 Reasons to Make Halifax the Home for Your Cleantech Investment
Here are 5 compelling reasons to choose Halifax as a place to bring your business's cleantech innovations to life:
1. Strategic Location and Connectivity
Halifax's location on North America's East Coast makes it a prime spot for international business. You can easily move goods in and out of global markets, travel to international destinations, and work across European, North American, and Caribbean time zones - all in one day!
The Halifax Gateway is built for speed and volume. It includes the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, the Port of Halifax, the Port of Sheet Harbour (perfect for handling large cargo like wind turbines), CN Rail, robust logistics and warehousing services, and excellent highway infrastructure.
As a multi-modal hub, Halifax ensures goods reach the market quickly and is perfectly positioned for imports heading to the Midwest and Central Canada.
Fast fact: Halifax is 1,500 nautical miles closer to India via the Suez Canal than any North American west coast port and one full day closer to Southeast Asia than any other North American east coast container port.
2. Cost-Competitive Business Climate
Halifax stands out as one of North America's most cost-competitive cities for businesses. With low operating costs and attractive incentives like the Nova Scotia Payroll Rebate and the Nova Scotia Innovation Equity Tax Credit, the city makes it easier for businesses to grow and succeed.
Fast Fact: Halifax ranks in the top 5 among the 50 largest cities in Canada and the U.S. for affordability in sectors like Electronics R&D, Engineering Services, Life Sciences Research, Photovoltaics R&D, Shared Services, and Software Development.
3. A Place to Find the Best and Brightest Talent
Halifax is home to one of the largest concentrations of universities and one of the most educated workforces in North America. With seven universities and three Nova Scotia Community College campuses, the city produces a steady stream of skilled, diverse graduates ready to fuel the growth of cleantech businesses.
Fast Fact: Halifax has seen a 43% increase in workers in the "Professional, Scientific and Technical Services" industry over the past five years, including engineers, researchers, and scientists from a range of disciplines.
All of the work that we do with Dalhousie University and other colleges has been a huge benefit for us. As we develop talent pipelines here through university programs, especially within more emerging clean tech sectors like the battery space, there's a desire for people to be here and stay here. We've done extremely well at being able to retain talent in the industry.
Chris Burns, Founder and CEO, Novonix
4. Thriving Cleantech Ecosystem
Halifax boasts one of North America's most vibrant innovation districts. Startups and scaleups, established companies, innovation hubs, and leading post-secondary institutions are driving R&D and bringing green technologies, products, and services to market.
This collaborative ecosystem makes Halifax the perfect place to develop, test, and commercialize your cleantech innovations.
Bring your ideas to life in Halifax - it's where green innovation thrives!
About Halifax's Innovation District
Situated in the heart of Halifax, on both sides of the harbour, the Halifax Innovation District is a hub for technology and research. It's home to over 2,100 companies across sectors like cleantech, ocean tech, IT, life sciences, financial services, and transportation and logistics.
Fast Fact: In 2023, 39% of Atlantic Canada's startups were founded in Halifax, with over 15 startup incubators, innovation hubs, and R&D facilities concentrated in the Innovation District.
Meet our Ecosystem Players and Partners
In Halifax, a diverse and collaborative community of partners awaits to help you grow your company at every stage. Some of the key players in our thriving cleantech ecosystem include:
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Dalhousie University is leading groundbreaking R&D on battery technology, clean and NextGen materials, renewable energy, sensors and AI, and the biophysical aspects of sustainability.
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NSCC's Applied Energy Research team develops and tests sustainable energy alternatives and has extensive experience in solar energy technologies, monitoring devices, and microgrids.
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HCi3 invests in projects and enterprises that accelerate the transition to net zero in the Halifax region.
There is so much support for someone coming in and investing in the region, the multiples on your investment are absolutely huge.
Mike Kelland, CEO of Planetary Technologies
5. Generous Government Support and Incentives
Halifax offers strong government support and incentives to help businesses grow and thrive. From R&D tax credits to hiring programs, there's no shortage of resources for companies building Canada's green economy.
Here are a few key programs and incentives:
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The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Incentive is one of the G7's most generous R&D tax regimes, providing ~$3 billion annually to support innovation.
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The Accelerated Investment Incentive allows businesses to write off up to 100% of the cost of machinery and equipment for manufacturing, processing, and renewable energy projects.
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The Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program offers funding for projects that boost energy efficiency (through NRCan).
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Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) support investments in energy and sustainable technologies.
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Invest Nova Scotia provides startups with venture capital, incubation facilities, expert guidance, and growth support.
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National Research Council Canada gives businesses access to top-tier research infrastructure and experts, reducing R&D risks and speeding up product development.
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The Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) Program offers salary incentives for hiring recent graduates while the GTO Innovate Program offers Nova Scotia businesses looking to hire a recent masters or PhD grad for an innovation-focused job 30% of the first year's salary and 15% of the second year's salary.
Green Economy Job Opportunities in Halifax
Are you looking to grow your professional network in Halifax and find employment in the cleantech field? We're here to help!
Connector Program: Our award-winning Connector Program helps new immigrants and recent graduates grow their professional network in Halifax.
Green economy jobs: Explore cleantech companies in Halifax and visit their career pages for job opportunities.
For more tips and resources for job seekers, including local job boards and networking events, visit the Halifax Partnership careers website.
Ready to Learn More about Investing in Halifax's Green Economy? Let's Connect!
In Halifax, you'll find unmatched access to senior leaders and a supportive business community. Halifax Partnership brings together government, industry, post-secondary institutions, and community partners to help your business thrive.
We're here to assist with everything from finding the right location to expanding your operations. Here's how we can support you:
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In-depth research and economic data
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Customized business cases and value propositions
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Introductions to the right partners
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Connections to business resources and incentives
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A focused after-care program
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A long-term partnership to support business growth and success
Let's work together to bring your vision to life in Halifax's green economy! Get in touch today. Contact Brandon Miller, Business Attraction Account Executive at bmiller@halifaxpartnership.com.
Halifax Partnership was crucial because they made all the right connections... These contacts helped us raise funds, make business connections, and make business partnerships. All of these supports have enabled us to build the right foundation to grow the company and expand. Now, we're entering international markets because of the foundation we've built through these partnerships.
Dr. Ravi Kempaiah, CEO, Zen Electric
