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

 

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."

Venture Capital Investment in Renewable Energy Exceeds $2.8B in Q3 2008

Greentech Media Forecasts Record-Setting Investment Pace to Stay Strong Through 2009

Greentech Media Inc. released the most recent quarterly data showing that venture capital investment in green energy technologies exceeded $2.8 billion in the third quarter of 2008, far exceeding any previous quarter on record. Investment in solar technology led the VC charge this quarter with more than $1.5 billion invested in 26 venture capital financing rounds. Renewable energy sectors, such as transportation and the smart grid, also received record amounts of funding. Venture firms continue to invest in biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol and algae with more than $150 million directed towards these new feedstocks and technologies. Eric Wesoff, Senior Analyst at Greentech Media, commented that "Despite less than optimal market conditions, there are a number of renewable energy IPOs filed and on-deck. Investors are looking for 2009 and 2010 to be the years of renewable energy exits". According to Wesoff "early stage financing is still alive. VCs and angel investors are still investing in new innovative technologies. Not as much as in 2005 to 2007, but angel and Round A financings are still represented." Wesoff also added that he sees "these investment numbers staying steady through 2009 as investors continue to nurture their current portfolio and look for new opportunities".

Total Q3 VC investment by sector:
Solar $1,585.8M in 26 deals
EE, DR and Smart Grid $272.14M in 14 deals
Geothermal $216.5M in 4 deals
Automotive, Transport $193M in 8 deals
Water Technology $182.46M in 10 deals
Ethanol and Biofuels $150.2M in 8 deals
Wind Energy $140.93M in 8 deals
Batteries and Fuel Cells $49.4M in 4 deals
Carbon and Energy Storage $29.9M in 3 deals
Green Building $28.76M in 3 deals
Green IT and Lighting $27M in 4 deals
Others $10.8M in 3 deals
Total $2,886.89M in 95 deals
Source: Greentech Media

For the full article go to http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20081001005167&newsLang=en