We’re excited to announce our investment in QEA Tech, a company using innovative drone and AI technology to reduce energy inefficiencies in buildings. This investment is part of our Climate Innovation Fund, which focuses on scaling climate-positive solutions that support Calgary and Edmonton’s ambitious climate action plans. Through the Fund, we seek out impactful and forward-thinking initiatives like QEA Tech’s, which directly contribute to reducing urban greenhouse gas emissions and driving Alberta towards a more sustainable future.

By partnering with QEA Tech, we’re taking a significant step toward decarbonizing Alberta’s built environment and addressing one of the most overlooked areas of building efficiency—the building envelope.

Why This Investment?
Buildings are often overlooked when it comes to energy efficiency, especially their envelopes—the outer structure responsible for insulation and heat retention. Yet, inefficiencies in this area can lead to significant energy waste and increased emissions. QEA Tech’s innovative AI-based technology allows building owners to identify these weak spots quickly and efficiently while also quantifying energy loss throughout the building envelope, offering a clear path to reducing energy consumption and costs. With detailed insights, building owners can prioritize upgrades in a phased, manageable way, maximizing both impact and cost-effectiveness.

For our Impact Investing efforts, it’s not just about investing in a company—it’s about investing in the future of building decarbonization. By supporting QEA Tech, we’re not only aiming to address energy inefficiencies in individual buildings but also setting a precedent for large-scale emissions reductions across Alberta’s urban landscape. This kind of change is critical as we continue to push for climate solutions that meet the ambitious goals set out in Calgary and Edmonton’s climate action plans.

The Investment and Its Impact
Through our Climate Innovation Fund, we participated in a $3M seed round, contributing $500,000 to help QEA Tech scale its operations. Alongside other forward-thinking investors like Avesta Fund and Clean Energy Venture Group, we’re ensuring QEA Tech has the resources needed to continue developing AI-driven tools and enhancing data processing capabilities. This will allow them to enter new markets and grow in existing markets—including right here in Alberta—accelerating the trend of decarbonizing buildings across the province.

For us, this investment is a key part of our broader efforts under initiatives like the Retrofit Accelerator program, which aims to break down barriers to large-scale energy retrofits. By helping QEA Tech grow, we’re making it easier for more buildings in Calgary and Edmonton to undergo vital envelope upgrades, ultimately reducing their carbon footprints and contributing to our net-zero goals.

Looking Ahead
This partnership is about more than just financial support—it’s about collaboration, innovation, and shared goals. QEA Tech has already proven its impact in places like New York, where its technology helped commercial buildings significantly cut energy use and comply with tough local regulations. With over a million data points collected across sectors like residential, industrial, and academic buildings, they’re well-positioned to drive similar successes in Alberta.

By integrating QEA Tech’s technology with our own programs, such as the Emissions-Neutral Building Information Exchange (ENBIX), we can further strengthen our partnerships with municipalities and other stakeholders. Together, we can build local capacity for sustainable building practices and help more building owners realize the benefits of energy retrofits.

Ultimately, our investment in QEA Tech is a step toward a future where decarbonizing buildings is no longer a challenge but a standard practice. It’s about empowering building owners to take meaningful climate action and demonstrating what’s possible when innovation meets environmental stewardship.

At Alberta Ecotrust, we’re proud to be part of this exciting journey, and we can’t wait to see the impact QEA Tech will have—not just on buildings, but on the future of our environment.