The Canadian Gas Association (CGA), the voice of Canada’s natural gas delivery industry, announces the appointment of John Adams as the President and Chief Executive Officer of its recently launched NGIF Capital Corporation, and Managing Partner of the new investment fund, NGIF Cleantech Ventures. The appointment marks an important milestone for CGA, affirming its commitment to maximizing environmental and economic performance and advancing innovation in the natural gas industry.
John is a recognized leader in the innovative ecosystem and has a distinguished career in energy and cleantech businesses. Most recently, he led the flagship Natural Gas Innovation Fund (now rolled into NGIF Capital Corporation as ‘NGIF Industry Grants’) through growth and development in its four years of operation. During that time, NGIF has raised capital, invested in, and managed a portfolio of over 50 startup companies. In so doing, it has helped de-risking technology solutions for a wide variety of applications in Canada’s gas industry.
“John has been instrumental in helping us build the innovation agenda in the natural gas sector. He is the right leader to capitalize on the positive momentum of NGIF – driving growth, creating value, and improving environmental performance,” said Timothy M. Egan, President and CEO of CGA. “CGA looks forward to working with John in his new capacity of President and CEO of NGIF Capital Corporation and Managing Partner of NGIF Cleantech Ventures.”
Jointly funded by key companies from across Canada’s gas industry, NGIF Capital Corporation will be the home of three separate Natural Gas Innovation Fund (NGIF) enterprises: NGIF Industry Grants (with $14M granted to start-ups to date); the NGIF Emissions Testing Centre (with a project value of $35M); and NGIF Cleantech Ventures (with $35M in committed capital).
NGIF Capital Corporation – through its various enterprises – offers a hybrid investment model and a market validation platform, working with start-ups from concept to commercialization and offering ready access to markets. It offers equity financing for new ventures that deliver solutions to environmental and other challenges facing the natural gas sector.
“I am humbled and enthusiastic to lead Canada’s first venture capital firm created by and for Canada’s natural gas sector,” said Adams. “It is a privilege to be chosen to lead this team and to advance the innovation and financing ecosystem in Canada, all while ensuring Canadians have ready access to affordable, reliable energy. Together, we will harness our strengths and reputation to accelerate NGIF’s growth and industry leadership.”
Before joining NGIF, John held several executive roles at Sustainable Development Technology Canada. His early career included environment consulting and developing & managing domestic and international cleantech and clean energy commercial business. John earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto in Environmental Science and is a graduate of the Berkeley Venture Capital Executive Program.
About NGIF Capital Corporation
NGIF Capital Corporation is a Canadian venture capital (VC) firm offering grant and equity financing for startups that deliver solutions to the environmental and other challenges facing the natural gas sector. NGIF Capital Corporation is unique in how it brings Canada’s energy industry leadership to every investment. Like other VCs, it takes new companies and their ideas from concept to commercialization. However, unlike other VCs, NGIF Capital Corporation has strong connections to every part of the gas value chain, from production through to end-use, offering it a means to test, develop, and accelerate the commercial implementation of innovative gas technology wherever it fits in the sector. The model benefits consumers, investors, and Canadian society as a whole. NGIF Capital Corporation operates NGIF Industry Grants (the original Natural Gas Innovation Fund), the NGIF Emissions Testing Centre, and NGIF Cleantech Ventures.
About NGIF Cleantech Ventures
NGIF Cleantech Ventures is a $35-million industry-led seed fund that makes equity investments in early-stage startups. The fund will deliver superior returns for its investors, as well as significant environmental benefits for Canada’s natural gas sector. NGIF Cleantech Venture investments include solutions that lead to emissions reductions and other environmental benefits in existing natural gas production, transmission, distribution, storage, and end-use applications, as well as projects that will lead to the expanded production of emerging fuels like renewable natural gas and hydrogen. NGIF Cleantech Ventures’ seed financing is operated by NGIF Capital Corporation.
About the Canadian Gas Association
The Canadian Gas Association is the voice of Canada’s natural gas delivery industry. Its membership includes natural gas distribution and transmission companies, equipment manufacturers, and suppliers to the industry. Our utility members are active in eight provinces and one territory and meet 35 per cent of Canadians’ energy needs through a network of over 566,000 kilometers of underground infrastructure. This infrastructure can also be used to deliver renewable gases including renewable natural gas and hydrogen, in order to contribute to Canada’s greenhouse gas emission reductions. Today, over 7.2 million customer locations representing approximately two-thirds of Canadians, rely on natural gas for clean, affordable and reliable heating and power.
Associated Links
Natural Gas Innovation Fund
Canadian Gas Association
NGIF LinkedIn
NGIF Twitter
Media Information:
Aysha Raad
Director, Communications
Canadian Gas Association
613-748-0057
araad@cga.ca
Sarah Robinson
Manager, Communications
NGIF Capital Corporation
613-282-1126
srobinson@cga.ca
Fund Information:
John Adams
President and CEO
NGIF Capital Corporation
613-748-0057
jadams@cga.ca