This project is supported by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces through the Atlantic Trade Investment and Growth Agreement.

A program to help Atlantic Canada companies scale export sales in the Houston market.

techNL and its Partners are launching Scale-up Hub: Houston program with a focus on energy and clean tech companies.  

The Scale-up Hub: Houston program (the “Program”) is designed to help Atlantic Canada-based energy tech and clean tech companies build an international presence and grow their export sales. The Program helps these high growth companies scale through targeted access to strategic markets in the Houston region that have a growing focus on energy tech, sustainable operations, environmental stewardship, and new and renewable forms of energy. 

techNL is the lead of the Program on behalf of its Partners at the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Global Affairs Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Invest Nova Scotia, Innovation PEI, and Opportunities New Brunswick. 

What does Scale-up Hub Houston offer?

The Program offers eligible Atlantic Canada high growth energy and clean tech companies access to the following resources for ten (10) months: 

• • Dedicated services of in-market business development professional(s) who provide strategic advice on how to access the energy market; they also provide a thorough understanding of how to sell to energy industry like exploration and operational firms, oilfield service and supplier companies, and transportation companies. 
• • Dedicated shared workspace in Houston, TX (ION Centre). 
• • Attendance at up-to two (2) program dedicated in-market events in Houston.  These events may consist of, but not limited to: reception with local businesses; business-to-business meetings; and / or venture capitalist pitch event. 
• • Access to capital markets including VC and angel investors. 

Up to ten (10) companies will be accepted into the Program. Successful applicants must: 

• • be technology-focused, high-growth companies within the energy and clean tech verticals that are presently selling outside of Atlantic Canada, and 
• • Pay a non-refundable participation fee of $2645.00 CAD ($2,300.00 plus $345.00 HST).

How to Apply

The deadline for applications is Friday April 26, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. NDT.  

For Program details please refer to the Scale-up Hub Houston Guidelines or contact the project lead or your respective provincial representative listed below: 

Newfoundland and Labrador (Project Lead)
Dwayne Hopkins, P. Eng
Manager, Digital Oil and Gas
techNL
t: 709.800.5430
e: dwayne@techNL.ca
www.techNL.ca

Nova Scotia
Linde Greening
Business Development Executive
Government of Nova Scotia
Natural Resources and Renewables
t : 902.424.0716
e: Linde.Greening@novascotia.ca
www.novascotia.ca  

New Brunswick
Stephanie Savary
Export Development Executive / Chargé du développement des exportations
Opportunities NB / Opportunités NB
t: 506.566.1373
e: stephanie.savary@onbcanada.ca 
www.ONBCanada.ca 

Prince Edward Island
Julie Alford
Business Development Officer, ICT
Innovation PEI
t: 902.894.0381
e: jealford@gov.pe.ca
www.innovationpei.com

Newfoundland and Labrador
Wayne Roebothan
Provincial Trade Commissioner
Government of Newfoundland & Labrador
Industry, Energy and Technology
t: 709.729.0594
e: wayneroebothan@gov.nl.ca
https://www.gov.nl.ca/iet/ 

The Scale-up Hub: Houston Program has been designed for utilization in complement with each provincial partners’ suite of export-support programs and federally support programs such as Mitacs and CanExport. For information about the additional resources and funding options available to assist with travel, etc. please contact one of the provincial leads listed above. 

This Request for Proposals (the “RFP”) is an invitation by techNL on behalf of its Partners to identify a suitable consultant to coordinate the activities of the Scale-up Hub: Houston Program (the “Program”).   

The Program is designed to provide business development support to achieve accelerated sales growth in a target market for a maximum of ten (10) Atlantic Canadian tech companies (the “Cohort”), that are technology-enabled, high growth, and possess distinct innovation within the energy and clean tech sectors. The Cohort will be comprised of experienced entrepreneurs with the capacity to scale internationally. The Cohort will possess sufficient financial resources and a keen commitment to support a long-term presence within the Houston/US market.  The Program will be offered to companies in a hybrid format with participants travelling to Houston as required. 

The selected consultant (the “Coordinator”) will report directly to the Program Manager, techNL and will be tasked with ensuring a smooth flow of information between the Cohort and the in-market consultant(s) in Houston.  The Coordinator will also assist in in-market activities, as well as supporting all documentation and quality assurance requirements. 

The Program is anticipated to run from May 2024 to February 2025. 

Consultants interested in the role must complete and submit a proposal.  For full scope of work details and submission requirements, access the full RFP HERE.  

Date of Issue: April 5, 2024

Submission Deadline: April 26, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. NDT

This Request for Proposals (the “RFP”) is an invitation by techNL on behalf of its Partners to prospective proponents to submit proposals for the provision of Business Development Consulting Services (the “Proponent”) for the Scale-Up Hub: Houston Program (the “Program”).  techNL and its Partners are seeking a Proponent with strong competencies on how to sell energy and clean tech solutions into the US Energy market in the Houston region. 

The Program is designed to provide business development support to achieve accelerated sales growth in a target market for a maximum of ten (10) Atlantic Canadian tech companies (the “Cohort”), that are technology-enabled, high growth, and possess distinct innovation within the energy and clean tech sectors. The Cohort will be comprised of experienced entrepreneurs with the capacity to scale internationally. The Cohort will possess sufficient financial resources and a keen commitment to support a long-term presence within the Houston/US market.  The Program will be offered to companies in a hybrid format with participants travelling to Houston as required. 

techNL and its Partners require the services of a senior business development consultant to work one-on-one with the Cohort to achieve the objectives of the Program.  The Proponent will, first and foremost, create high value for the Cohort by both introducing and supporting sales opportunities with the goal of maximizing sales revenue for each program participant.  Other activities include: working closely with the Program Coordinator, working with the Program to organize in-market event(s), and provide monthly progress reports. 

The Program is anticipated to run from May 2024 to January 2025. 

Proponents interested in the role must complete and submit a proposal.  For full scope of work details and submission requirements, access the full RFP HERE.

Date of Issue: April 5, 2024

Submission Deadline: April 26, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. NDT