CICCcleantech

Israel Cleantech Tour Returning to California - April 26 -28

The California Israel Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the 2nd Israel Cleantech Tour & Summit in Palo Alto, California.

The Summit will be a full day showcase and series of presentations by Israeli cleantech delegate companies on April 27, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. The Tour will include the delegation of Israel companies and investors, and CICC Sponsors and Partners and will include private visits and meetings with leading California cleantech facilities, companies, investors,  policymakers and utilities on April 26 and 28. We hope you will join us again. For information on our first Tour and Summit and to view updates on the agenda, please be back to check our web site: www.cicc-cleantech.com

After a sold-out, standing room only crowd at the first CICC Israel Cleantech Tour, the CICC Cleantech Initiative has already succeeded in stimulating advanced collaboration, investment and partnerships in areas that present challenges and opportunities to both Israel and California -- including water, renewable energy, smart grid, energy efficiency, and environmental technologies. Recent sponsors, partners and speakers have included GE, PG&E, California Public Utilities Commission, US Department of Energy, Perkins Coie, SRI, Sunpower, Chevron, USVP, Intel, Applied Materials, Greylock Ventures, Battery Ventures, BrightSource Energy, Silicon Valley Bank, Energy Recovery inc., Israel Cleantech Ventures, Vantage Point Venture Partners and many others.

The 2010 Tour and Summit will feature:

· Full day of presentations by up to 15 prescreened leading edge Israeli cleantech  companies

· Cleantech investor and financing roundtables

· Panels and keynote speakers by industry leaders from California and Israel

· Technology, funding and market landscape sessions with California utilities and state and federal policymakers

· Private meetings and networking opportunities among companies, entrepreneurs, scientists, investors and corporate partners

· Private tours of Califonia's cleantech companies, facilities and plants

STAY TUNED FOR CALL FOR COMPANIES AND PROGRAM UPDATES IN THE COMING WEEKS

 

Next Month in Israel: The Eilat-Eilot International Renewable Energy Conference

Join CICC and many other California Clenatech players at the upcoming 3rd annual Eilat-Eilot Conference and Exhibition. 
  It is scheduled for February 16-18, 2010.

The Conference is an international forum encouraging discussion and debate of policies, technology, business and investment practices to lead to cost effective, doable solutions. Conference participants include leading researchers in alternative energy, government officials and policy-makers, internationally-recognized alternative energy companies and world-renowned speakers from business and academia. Over 2,000 attendees and dozens of journalists are expected to be in attendance. Some of the topics to be explored at the conference include: Renewable development in Israel, solar power, policies and regulations, and renewable energy technology. The conference is organized by the Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Administration.

Notable participants include : former US Ambassador to Israel Richard Jones, who is now the Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Agency; Michael Peavey, President of the California Public Utility Commission and Dr. Hermann Scheer, General Chairman of the World Council for Renewable Energy, Congressman Steve Israel (NY2) and former Governor of New York State George Pataki.

For more information and siging up: please visit http://www.eilatenergy.org.

Follow on Twitter: @eilateilot   

California Governor In Israel with Cleantech Agenda

Governments of Israel and California now putting an official stamp and will promote further cleantech collaboration between the two states.  This great milestone follows an industry initiative led by CICC in 2009 which provided an unprecedented exposure to many key players in the field.

According to reports in Globes and Green Prophet, CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is signing the cooperation agreement to promote Israel-California strategic R&D in renewable energy and environmental technologies by establishing joint ventures between Israeli renewable energy companies and municipal authorities in California.

The agreement will also boost mutual investment, and foster research collaboration,Globes reports. Specifics and terms of the agreement were not revealed.

CICC's vision to link the two states and provide a platform for cleantech collaboration was launched in 2008 with strong support from industry players and investors.  It fueled initial investments and deals for dozens of companies and VC players among them: Tigo Energy, Khosla ventures, HCL, SunPower, Sempra Generations, USVP and many who came on the CICC first Cleantech Mission to Israel in May of 2009.  The Initiative clearly set the stage for expanded collaboration and official involvements of governments.

Leading VCs, Industry Leaders to Join CICC Cleantech Delegation to Israel -- May 18

 

CICC's Cleantech Delegation to Israel is arriving next week and now has some of the leading investors and industry players joining a four day Mission to uncover Israel's cleantech and innovation landscape.  While global economic recession is affecting industries and investment climate worldwide, Israel's cutting-edge technology and R&D efforts in energy, water, agro-technology and renewables has US VCs intrigued with curiosity and excitement. 

This delegation is the effort of the California Israel Chamber of Commerce Cleantech Initiative, a partnership between California and Israeli industry players and policy leaders designed to explore collaboration and co-investment opportunities in this thriving sector.  It is supported by Silicon Valley Bank, Vantage Point Venture Partners, Perkins Coie, Israel Cleantech Ventures and Jeffries.

some of the firms on board include:

Sempra Generation, 21 Ventures, Jeffries, Amadeus Capital, Good Energies, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, Mohr Davidow Ventures, Silicon Valley Bank, RIG Investments, US Venture Partners, Khosla Ventures, Vantage Point Venture Partners, Musea Ventures, Virgin Green Funds, Battery Ventures, Canaan Partners, Alon Ventures, Jabil Circuit, Texas A&M University Foundation, Navitas Capital Group and more.

While the visits of the group will be mostly private, CICC will host the Cleantech track at the IVA Conference(Israel's Venture Capital Association).  Visiting Silicon Valley delegates such as John Denniston (KPCB), Atiq Raza (Khosla Ventures) and Alan Salzman (Vantage Point Venture Partners) will share their perspective on the cleantech industry, policy, R&D and cross-border collaborations.

 

For more information: shuly@ca-israelchamber.org

 

 

Eilat-Eilot is Gathering Leaders in Renewable Energy - February 17, 2009

Despite recent conflict in the region the Eilat- Eilot International Conference is gathering momentum and will host impressive leaders from around the world to explore collaboration in Solar and other renewable energy.

The Conference is an international forum encouraging discussion and debate of policies, technology, business and investment practices to lead to cost effective, doable solutions. Conference participants include leading researchers in alternative energy, government officials and policy-makers, internationally-recognized alternative energy companies and world-renowned speakers from business and academia. Over 1,000 attendees and dozens of journalists are expected to be in attendance. Some of the topics to be explored at the conference include: Renewable development in Israel, solar power, policies and regulations, and renewable energy technology.

This is the second major renewable energy conference for Eilat, and hundreds of clean technology leaders, entrepreneurs, VCs, companies and government representatives from around the world are expected to take part.

According to this story from Israel21C, some of the projects to be showcased at the conference include two hybrid energy projects: one is a solar energy farm, paired with a biogas generator.

To learn more about the conference, please visit www.eilatenergy.com

CICC Cleantech Showcase - Highlights

Over 200 executives gathered on November 11, 2008 at CICC's first Cleantech Showcase at Stanford Bechtel Conference Center to see what Israel has to offer in cleantech and hear from corporations, investors and governments about the future of innovation and partnerships in this sector.  CICC showcased proudly the 12 selected companies who flew in from Israel for a week-long visit to California.  Andrew Karsner, former Assistant Secretary of Energy of US delivered an electrifying keynote address.

here is a story by Greentech Media "Israeli Companies Make their Pitch".

For company presentations please use the following link.

Below are some photos of this day.  Additional photos could be found here. Also here

Eric Weiss, CICC Cleantech Chair addressing the audience

Andy Karsner, Board Member, Applies Materials, Former Assistant Secretary, DOE

CICC Cleantech Showcase - Highlights

Over 200 executives gathered on November 11, 2008 at CICC's first Cleantech Showcase at Stanford Bechtel Conference Center to see what Israel has to offer in cleantech and hear from corporations, investors and governments about the future of innovation and partnerships in this sector.  CICC showcased proudly the 12 selected companies who flew in from Israel for a week-long visit to California.  Andrew Karsner, former Assistant Secretary of Energy of US delivered an electrifying keynote address.

here is a story by Greentech Media "Israeli Companies Make their Pitch".

For company presentations please use the following link.

Below are some photos of this day.  Additional photos could be found here. Also here

Eric Weiss, CICC Cleantech Chair addressing the audience

Andy Karsner, Board Member, Applies Materials, Former Assistant Secretary, DOE

CICC Partners with the Cleantech Group to Promote Growth of the Cleantech Ecosystem in Israel and Globally; Discount on Membership with the Cleantech Group for CICC Members.

CICC and the Cleantech Group have formed a strategic partnership to help accelerate the growth of the cleantech ecosystem in Israel and globally. The Cleantech Group, its network and services, are global and are connected with top tiered global leaders in clean technology. As a benefit of our strategic partnership, CICC members receive a first time twenty percent discount on Cleantech Group membership. By becoming members of the Cleantech Network, entrepreneurs accelerate their fund raising ability, receive market insight, and access to premier networking events and market visibility. Membership in the Cleantech Group provides unlimited access to databases that put entrepreneurs at the forefront of the cleantech sector. In this competitive market it is a challenge to find the right investor. With the Cleantech Group databases it is quick and easy to identify investors who understand and have invested in specific cleantech sectors. Furthermore, the M&A and IPO databases allow to see cleantech companies trading costs, and find corporations who are acquiring cleantech companies.

The Cleantech Group has been helping startups and growing companies speed their ventures from ideas to products and customer contracts since 2002. Click here to learn more.

Mark Your Calendars for the Cleantech Group Upcoming Event: Cleantech Forum XX -- Shanghai -- December 3 – 5, 2008

Announcing Presenting Companies - Israel Cleantech Showcase November 11, 2008

Join leading cleantech companies, investors, utility giants and policymakers for presentations by Israel's top 12 cleantech companies in renewable energy, storage, energy efficiency, and water.

Introducing:

3G Solar, BotanoCap, Canarious, Cequesta Water, Coriolis Wind, CellEra, CES - Computerized Electricity Systems, Emefcy - Bio Energy Systems, HCL Clean Tech, Metrolight,  SOVNA, Tigo Energy

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008
Bechtel Conference Center
616 Serra Street, Encina Hall Stanford, CA map
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Breakfast and lunch included
Parking is a challenge, please park at Galvez Field, corner of Galvez and Campus.

ONLINE REGISTRATION

Keynote Speaker: Alexander Karsner Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (2006-2008); US Department of Energy (DOE)

Featured Speaker: Aliza Peleg, COO, Better Place

Panels:

Corporate Innovation in Cleantech
Ricardo Angel Senior Vice President, GE Energy
Alex N. Beavers, Jr. Ph.D. Corporate Director, SRI International
James C. Davis President, Chevron Energy Solutions
Annette Finsterbusch Director, Applied Ventures, LLC
Stephen Eichenlaub Managing Director, Cleantech Sector, Intel Capital
Moderated by Ralph (Buddy) L. Arnheim Partner, Perkins Coie

Investment Opportunities in Water and the Water-Energy Nexus
Assaf Barnea, CEO, Kinrot
Evan Lovell Founding Partner, Virgin Green Fund
Hans Peter “HP” Michelet Executive Chairman, Energy Recovery Inc.
Moderated by Rachel Sheinbein, CMEA Ventures.

Cleantech in Israel 2008
Meir Ukeles , Israel Cleantech Ventures

CICC Members - Free
(Members - Please send your RSVP to iris@ca-israelchamber.org)
Participation Fee - $125
At the Door - $175

Showcase Kickoff Event - Advanced Cleantech R&D from Israel

Cleantech industry leaders, companies, investors, entrepreneurs and policy makers are invited to learn about leading edge and commercializable scientific research in renewable energy and water technology from Israel, at the Academia-Industry Forum: Advanced Cleantech R&D from Israel, hosted by CICC and Energy Crossroads, in cooperation with the Technion, Ben-Gurion University, and Tel Aviv University. The forum is scheduled for Monday November 10, 5:30-8:30pm at Bechtel Conference Center, Encina Hall, 616 Serra St. Stanford, California (directions). A $30 fee will be collected at the door, no RSVP is required. The forum is free to Stanford faculty, students, and staff with valid ID.

The forum will be led by distinguished speakers from Israeli academia and research institutes: professor Yohay Carmel, Technion Faculty of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Chair of the Israel Society of Ecology and Environmental Science, professor Eilon Adar, Director, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, and Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research , Ben Gurion University, and professor Avraham Kribus, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, and Chair of the International Solar Energy Society in Israel. Professor Sally Benson, executive director, Global Climate & Energy Project (GCEP) and professor in the Department of Energy Resources Engineering, Stanford University, will moderate the discussion.

The forum is a kickoff event to the CICC Israel Cleantech Company Showcase scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, 2008. The showcase will introduce pre-selected Israeli cleantech companies to California's key cleantech industry players - cleantech companies, investors, utility giants and policymakers. To also register for the CICC Israel Cleantech Company Showcase on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 click here.

Cleantech Startups Funding

For many investors and entrepreneurs there's a feeling that the technology industry will be hurt by a significant recession. But many believe that the Cleantech sector, which is targeting a $4 trillion energy market, might be an exception. Cleantech investments typically require longer time periods and more money to mature than Internet or software startups, and they enjoy the support of governments and a populace worried about energy issues and global warming.

A panel called "Funding Alternatives for Clean Tech Startups" held in Santa Clara, California, on October 14th, by Intel Capital and angel investor network, Keiretsu Forum, for the California Clean Tech Open, , sought to give advice to young companies who plan to look for funding in the downturn. Rachel Sheinbein, an associate at venture firm CMEA who is also a Keiretsu member, told Chris Morrison of Venturebeat.com before the meeting that most angel investors aren't put off by the economic pain. "Now's the time to put some money into new things and find some good deals," she said. Marc Gottschalk, a lawyer at William Sonsini who helps run the CCTO, is also guardedly optimistic. He told Morrison that as someone who sees plenty of deals, he thinks venture funders will look past a recession when investing in newer cleantech startups. "I know firms like Sequoia are telling their firms to be lean and mean," he said. "But cleantech investments are for a three to five year window, so you can't make your bets on that right now."