Calgary-based Summit Nanotech's lithium extraction technology doubles yield from 40 per cent to 80 per cent and reduces processing time from 18 months to five hours. Used as a key component for batteries in electric vehicles, energy storage and cell phones – the solution came to founder and CEO Amanda Hall after seeing a monk pull out a cell phone on a Tibetan mountaintop.
While inspiration came from afar, Hall credits Calgary’s collaborative tech ecosystem to the success of Summit Nanotech.
“Calgary is the right place to grow Summit Nanotech,” said Hall. “We can readily find the knowledge, experience and mindset needed to grow a global company at home in Calgary.”
Calgary is home to over 35 business accelerators and incubators helping turn big ideas into real-world solutions. Hall participated in Creative Destruction Labs-Rockies (CDL-Rockies), which provides startups with access to mentorship and venture capital.
After graduating from the program, Summit Nanotech acquired 15 investors, including The51, which beyond financial backing and mentorship, provides a source of community for women-identifying entrepreneurs to build their network.
OCIF announced support of both CDL-Rockies and Movement 51, The51’s not-for-profit organization, to help accelerate the growth of local tech companies in alignment with the economic strategy, Calgary in the New Economy.
“I think of all the people who have supported me over the last four years in Calgary and smile. Different institutions and individuals have provided advice and guidance at different stages of our growth,” said Hall.
Along with lithium extraction efficiencies, Summit Nanotech is sharing ESG framework and benchmarks commonly used in Alberta’s energy industry to customers in Chile, Argentina, the United States and Europe. The company is an example of the innovative local cleantech startups that will help Alberta reach the $61 billion opportunity on a net-zero pathway as identified in the Alberta Energy Transition Study.
“Albertans know how to develop projects sustainably, responsibly and with respect to Indigenous communities – which is less common in certain countries – so we’re also exporting Alberta’s best practices in resource extraction,” said Hall.
“We want to do what’s best for the planet and want to make sure everything we do is sustainable.”
Powering the global energy transition, the bright minds at Summit Nanotech are passionate about helping solve global challenges. With ambitions to grow the team from 50 to 250 people and be Calgary’s next $1 billion unicorn, Summit Nanotech is on pace to push the boundaries of science.
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