Karn Manhas, the founder and CEO of AgTech startup Terramera, was honoured as an industry icon. The latter is defined as “someone who has made a significant impact and is changing the world of cleantech,” according to Foresight, the cleantech accelerator that hosts the awards.

Terramera unveiled plans in 2020 to create a new $730 million global centre focused on fighting climate change and strengthening the agriculture sector through technology. The startup was named a 2021 Export Star by Export Development Canada for developing technologies that are instrumental in the fight against climate change.

Sarah Applebaum, a partner with Pangaea Ventures, received the award for ecosystem builder, “an influential connector who lifts up others through introductions and networking,” according to the awards.

Pangaea Ventures, which invests in advanced materials, completed the final close of Pangaea Ventures Fund IV in 2019, with commitments of $95 million CAD.

Jonathan Wilkinson, the federal minister of natural resources, was named policy maker, “a self-proclaimed leader in government who’s working hard to move us forward on the path to net-zero.” Wilkinson has previously served as federal minister of environment and climate change. and minister of fisheries, oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard.

The top educator award went to Hassan Farhangi of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) for his innovative and leading approach to education in cleantech. Farhangi is the director of the Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team at BCIT.