Filter-free, SiC-based drives developer secures $15m of funding
2 April 2026 
A Canadian company that claims to have developed the first silicon carbide (SiC) based VSD (variable-speed drive) that feeds motors with real sine waves, thus avoiding the need for external filters, has secured CA$15m of funding in a new round that it says will accelerate its product roadmap and meet growing demand from users wanting simpler, more efficient and more reliable drive systems. Montreal-based SmartD Technologies adds that its Clean Power technology enables filter-free drive systems that meet IEEE 519 harmonic recommendations (with less than 5% THDi on the line side), resulting in simpler and smaller drives applications.
In an earlier round of funding, in 2024, SmartD raised CA$14.2m. The new round was co-led by an existing investor Hammond Power Solutions (HPS) and a new institutional shareholder, Desjardins Capital. All existing shareholders – including HPS, Investissement Québec, Boreal and SE Ventures – participated in the new round, signalling their confidence in the business, according to SmartD.
The company says that following a year of strong commercial momentum and growing adoption in sectors such as water infrastructure and data centres, it is entering a new phase of growth, focused on scaling the deployment of its technology across global markets.
“This round is fundamentally about trust,” says SmartD’s co-founder and CEO, Simon Leblond. “With the continued support of our investors, we are now focused on scaling our technology to meet growing demand from industrial and institutional clients.”
The company claims that its SiC-based Clean Power drives represent “a paradigm shift” in the industry, delivering clean sine-wave power to both the motor and the grid. They eliminate the need for external harmonic and output filters, cutting energy losses, and extending the lives of motors and electrical infrastructure.
The wide-bandgap (WBG) SiC devices offer advantages including fast switching, low drain-source on-resistance, and low switching losses. These result in high efficiency and good signal quality, leading to rapid control responses and reduced torque ripple.
SmartD claims that its use of silicon carbide electronic power devices cuts losses and raises operating frequencies compared to silicon-based devices.The drives also incorporate a multilevel inverter (MLI) technology of a type already widely used in renewable energy conversion systems, grid-connected inverters, electrical vehicles, aerospace systems, and industrial applications. But, according to SmartD, MLIs have yet to enter the low-voltage motor control market due, mainly, to concerns over their high potential costs. But, it adds, the benefits of MLI are “compelling”, leading to improved harmonic content, reduced dV/dt (voltage change rates), lower switching frequencies and losses, reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI), and enhanced fault-tolerance.
Using MLIs, SmartD argues, can result in a substantial increase in efficiency and a much lower total cost of ownership.
The company claims that its drive technology:
- cuts capital expenditures by eliminating the need for external filters, specialised cabling, and oversized electrical infrastructures;
- reduces operating costs through improved system efficiency and lower harmonic losses;
- allows the use of long cable runs;
- extends the lives of motors and electrical infrastructure, with lower bearing and insulation stresses, even in demanding environments; and
- complies with IEEE 519 harmonic recommendations without needing any extra mitigation equipment.
This drives are said to be particularly suitable for critical infrastructure, remote sites, or retrofit projects where simplicity, reliability and performance are needed.
“We are excited to deepen our partnership with SmartD as they transition from innovation to scale,” says Hammond Power Solutions’ CEO, Adrian Thomas. “SmartD’s ability to deliver clean sine-wave motor power without external filtering aligns with the growing demand for higher power quality, efficiency, and reliability in industrial applications.” HPS manufactures transformers and power quality products at plants in North America and India.
Stéphane Pilette, investment director at Desjardins Capital, adds that the technology has the potential to transform global industry standards. “By improving the energy efficiency of industrial motor systems, SmartD is contributing directly to the energy transition.”
