WHO The Center of Excellence in Energy Efficiency (C3E) is a not-for-profit organization founded by Rio Tinto Alcan and Hydro-Québec and supported by the Network of Centres of Excellence of Canada and other industry and institutional partners. WHERE Based in Shawinigan, Quebec, C3E has a national mandate to create economic growth in the energy-efficiency and renewable-energy sectors. WHY In a world full of complex energy and environmental challenges, C3E was established to promote the ommercialization and accessibility of technological innovations in these sectors. WHAT C3E offers a unique funding tool suited to high-risk business ventures: an unsecured convertible debenture that can be paid back in various forms, including carbon-credit certificates. The due-diligence process that we use to qualify businesses for this funding can also help them to mature more quickly. HOW C3E’s complementarity with its network of decision-makers, its sources of funding, and the various economic-development stakeholders provides a creative platform that leverages commercialization.