CarbonRun of Dartmouth and Aeon Blue of Sydney have been named to the 2026 Foresight 50, an annual list of 50 Canadian cleantech companies identified for their investment potential.
The honourees were announced at last week's Foresight 50 Celebration in Vancouver. The program, now in its sixth year, recognizes companies developing technologies aimed at reducing emissions and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Led by CEO Luke Connel, CarbonRun is developing a technology that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while restoring rivers damaged by acid rain.
Its River Alkalinity Enhancement process involves adding crushed limestone to acidified rivers. The limestone restores the water's natural chemistry and helps convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into bicarbonate, which eventually flows into the ocean and can remain stored for more than 1,000 years.
The process also improves river conditions for salmon, aquatic insects and other species affected by acidification.
CarbonRun's technology is based on intellectual property developed at Dalhousie University and three decades of watershed research. The company says it has secured $30 million in pre-sold carbon removal contracts.
Aeon Blue is developing technology to produce synthetic aviation fuel and other e-fuel feedstocks using seawater, wind energy and captured carbon dioxide.
The Sydney company was co-founded by CEO Lark Meadows and chief technology officer Deóis Ua Cearnaigh. Its patented seawater electrolysis platform combines hydrogen production and carbon capture to produce synthetic fuels, including its AeonAir sustainable aviation fuel.
Aeon Blue says its process could provide an alternative to conventional jet fuel without relying on agricultural feedstocks or other limited raw materials. The company was named Startup Venture of the Year at the Canadian Cleantech Awards in May.
Last month, Aeon Blue and Eskasoni Mi’kmaq First Nation announced a joint venture to develop a sustainable aviation fuel project at Sydport in Cape Breton.
The partners established eFuels Mi’kmaq Ltd., which they say will be Canada's first clean fuels company majority-owned by a Mi’kmaq First Nation.
The project will begin with a proposed $4-million pilot facility on Eskasoni land. The First Nation is investing $1.5 million. The facility will use Aeon Blue's technology to produce aviation fuel and capture atmospheric carbon dioxide. Other outputs will include ultrapure water and an oxidizer that can be used in rocket fuel.
