Dr. Jacques Martel , Partner, Canadian Cleantech Fund

Jacques is one of Canada’s foremost experts on energy related research and development.  He has over 25 years experience in innovation, specifically in the strategic planning and operational implementation of R&D activities. He had responsibility for Hydro-Québec’s innovation programs for 6 years. As the managing director of Hydro-Québec’s research institute, Dr. Martel ensured the implementation of an integrated innovation management process. The financial benefits from innovation at Hydro-Québec are currently  assessed at over $1 billion over 15 years.  As General Manager for Energie Capital Innovation S.E.C., Jacques oversaw Hydro-Québec investments in a number of companies which became part of Hydro-Québec’s CapiTech's holdings.

As a member of numerous boards and committees, Dr. Martel exerted a strong influence on the direction of both Quebec and Canadian policies with respect to R&D and innovation. Jacques was chairman of the board of directors of Ouranos and NanoQuébec. He was a member of the board of directors of CRIQ, the Commission de l’enseignement et de la recherche (Conseil supérieur de l’éducation), the Institut de Génie de l’énergie électrique, of the advisory board of SGF Minéral, TechnoVision Montréal and, more recently, member of Natural Resources Canada’s National Advisory Panel on the Sustainable Energy Science and Technology Strategy. He was also on many committees such as FCAR, NSERC and CFI.

As the director general of the Industrial Materials Institute (IMI) of the National Research Council of Canada, Jacques helped foster partnerships, networking between the research community and industry, the exchange of knowledge, development, and technology transfer. He worked to make the Boucherville-based IMI a veritable technological centre dedicated to the Canadian materials forming and manufacturing industry by implementing and proposing to companies various partnership schemes (specific projects, interest groups, technology groups, multiclient projects and consortia).

Dr. Martel also worked at the SNC Research Corporation as well as the Centre de recherche INRS-Énergie. Some of the major projects he headed include the Tokamak de Varennes and the new energy program at the INRS.

Jacques will be anchoring the Canadian Cleantech Fund team on issues such as government funding, innovation research, and importantly, providing a direct presence in the Montréal area and the province of Québec.