Green VC

SDForum Quarterly Venture Breakfast with PwC on July 21st to Focus on Clean Tech (Discount Available)

SDForum will present its next Quarterly Venture Breakfast in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on July 21st, with a focus on venture capital investments in clean tech. 

This program will include an overview presentation by Steve Bengston (Managing Director of Emerging Company Services, PwC) and a panel featuring members of the VC community who will share their insights.  The speakers at this event will be:

• Steve Bengston - PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Matt Garratt - Battery Ventures
• Mamoom Hamid - US Venture Partners 
• Dan Rubin - Alloy Ventures
• Robert Walker - Sierra Ventures
• Don Wood - Draper Fisher Jurvetson
• Allison Leopold Tilley - Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman (moderator)

This program will be held from 8:00 am - 10:00 am at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, 2475 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, CA 94304.  Thanks to our friends at SDForum, readers of Green VC can receive a $5 discount from the non-member registration price for this event.  To receive the discount, please use code "QVB05" when registering online. Further program information and registration can be found here.

SVASE to Present "Raising Money for Your Cleantech Software Company" on July 15 (Discount Available)

On July 15, the Silicon Valley Association of Startup Entrepreneurs (SVASE) will present a program entitled Raising Money for Your Cleantech Software Company featuring the following panelists:

• Craig Lawrence - Principal, Accel Partners
• Nat Goldhaber - Managing Director, Claremont Creek Ventures
• Peter Sharer - CEO, Agilewaves
• Greg McAdoo - Partner, Sequoia Capital
• Leif Langensand - CFO, The Angels’ Forum Management Company
• Christina Ellwood - President/CEO, Moreland Associates (Moderator)

This program will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Cooley Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville, CA 94526 (directions).  Thanks to our friends at SVASE, readers of Green VC can obtain tickets for $25 (+$3 event processing fee) when registering in advance (cost includes buffet dinner, coffee and tea; cash bar available) by following these steps:

• Go to the online event registration page
• Select your tickets from the Affiliates section of the page
• In the "How did you learn about this event?" dropdown box, select "SVASE Affiliate"
• In the box following the question "REQUIRED FOR AFFILIATES: Which affiliated organization advertised this event to you?", enter "Green VC"

The price is an additional $10 if you register at the door.  Attire for this event is business casual or business attire -- no jeans or shorts are allowed.  For more information:

• Raising Money for Your Cleantech Software Company - Program Information 
• SVASE home page

Clean Tech Open Announces 2009 Semifinalists in Rocky Mountain Region

The Clean Tech Open (CTO), a business plan competition that will provide more than $1 million in prizes for early-stage clean technology startups, recently announced the semifinalists in the Rocky Mountain region of its 2009 competition.  The semifinalists are:

• All Optronics (Tucson, AZ) - Cost-effective solar power using a unique optical concentrator and optimized silicon solar cell, ,
• Clean Coal Briquette Inc. (Lakewood, CO) - Clean coal briquettes made from coal waste and biomass waste for use in coal power plants
• CLEANtricity Power (Broomfield, CO) - Manufacturer of small wind turbines that can generate power in a variety of locations and wind conditions,
• Cool Energy (Boulder, CO) - Developers of a clean energy generating system
• EE-Low Cost Energy and Carbon Reduction (Durango, CO) - Low-cost energy and carbon reduction through a Software-as-a-Service web application
• Husk Insulation (Ann Arbor, MI) - High-performance insulation from agricultural waste
• ImagiPLAY (Boulder, CO) - Earth-friendly, ethically made, child safe toys
• New Sky Energy (Boulder, CO) - Captures carbon dioxide from the air or flue gas streams to manufacture consumer products and commodity chemicals that are normally made by CO2-polluting industries
• Rivertop Renewables (Missoula, MT) - Progressive chemistry, providing competitively priced, biodegradable alternatives to several widely-used chemicals
• SEED (Small Engines for Economic Development) (Fort Collins, CO) - Develops fuel efficient and affordable irrigation pump sets for small landholder farmers in developing countries
• Sunflower (Longmont, CO) - Designs and delivers active day-lighting and hybrid lighting solutions to commercial buildings
• SunTrac Solar (Golden, CO) - High temperature solar panels for solar thermal systems

This year the Clean Tech Open is holding competitions in California (semifinalists announced), the Pacific Northwest (semifinalists announced), and in the Rocky Mountain region.

Entrants will initially compete for regional prizes: $100,000 in cash and services to each of six winners (one for each category) in California; cash and services worth $50,000 to each of the three winners in both the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions. These 12 regional winners will then be placed in a national competition, with a Grand Prize winner to receive $250,000 in cash and services.

For more information:

• Clean Tech Open - Home page
• Clean Tech Open - Previous coverage (Green VC)

Clean Tech Open Announces 2009 Semifinalists in Pacific Northwest Region

The Clean Tech Open (CTO), a business plan competition that will provide more than $1 million in prizes for early-stage clean technology startups, recently announced the semifinalists in the Pacific Northwest region of its 2009 competition (covering Washington, Oregon and Idaho).  The semifinalists are:

• Clarian Technologies (Seattle, WA) - Smart-grid enabled wind and solar appliances
• Extreme Caps (Olympia, WA) - Energy storage
• GoNano (Moscow, ID) - High surface area nanomaterials for energy storage
• Green Lite Motors (Portland, OR) - 100 mpg commuter car/motorcycle vehicle
• Hydrovolts (Seattle, WA) - In-stream hydro turbines
• InnovaTek (Richland, WA) - Renewable hydrogen fuel cell technology
• LivinGreen Materials (Seattle, WA) - Advanced solar technology
• NHThree (Richland, WA) - Green anhydrous ammonia production
• Pangreen (Kirkland, WA) - Mobile and web-based platforms enabling green living
• Shorepower Technologies (Portland, OR) - Electric charging stations
• Soluxra (Seattle, WA) - Low-cost organic solar cells
• Veranda Solar (Portland, OR) - Plug and play solar appliances

This year the Clean Tech Open is holding competitions in California (semifinalists announced), the Pacific Northwest, and in the Rocky Mountain region (semifinalists announced).

Entrants will initially compete for regional prizes: $100,000 in cash and services to each of six winners (one for each category) in California; cash and services worth $50,000 to each of the three winners in both the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions. These 12 regional winners will then be placed in a national competition, with a Grand Prize winner to receive $250,000 in cash and services.

For more information:

• Clean Tech Open - Home page
• Clean Tech Open - Previous coverage (Green VC)

Green Tech Connect Forum is August 3 - 4 in Pasadena (Discount Available)

From August 3 - 4, 2009 the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) will present the Green Tech Connect Forum in Pasadena, California. This event will include plenary sessions featuring government policymakers, green tech success stories, and government funding opportunities.  In addition, this event will introduce the investment community to renewable energies and green technology developers through panel sessions highlighting the following areas:

• Clean Fuels
• Consumer Products
• Emission Controls
• Energy Efficiency
• Green Building
• Power Generation & Smart Grid
• Renewable Energy
• Transportation Technology

Each panel will include a technology overview by an expert followed by 6-8 green technology development companies presenting their company profiles, technologies and funding needs.

In addition, on August 2nd there will be a free pre-conference workshop for entreprenuers entitled “Tools to Develop a Green Technology Business Plan and Identify Funding.”

Readers of Green VC can receive a $50 discount on the registration price for this event.  To receive the discount, please use code " INLK50" when registering online. Further program information and registration can be found at:

• Green Tech Connect Forum - Home page
• Green Tech Connect Forum - Agenda
• Green Tech Connect Forum - Online Registration

Clean Tech Open Announces 2009 California Semifinalists

This evening, the Clean Tech Open, a business plan competition that will provide more than $1 million in prizes for early-stage clean technology startups, announced the semifinalists for its 2009 California competition.  The semifinalists are:

Air, Water & Waste Category
- Driptech
- GoGoVerde
- Highlands Soil & Water
- InnoSepra
- Micromidas
- NanoBrane
- OndaVia
- Solar Alchemy, Inc.
- Solum, Inc

Energy Efficiency Category, Sponsored by Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison
- Alphabet Energy, Inc.
- Core4 Systems
- HydroCoal Technologies, LLC
- Lightwave
- Lunescent
- Powerzoa
- SunCool
- Synergy Conscious

Green Building Category Sponsored by Cleantech Circle and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
- ALL SOLAR
- ARCTRIO
- Ecolithic Homes
- GreenPyro
- HOMErgent
- New Avenue
- Parco Homes
- RoofRay
- tru2lif

Renewables Category Sponsored by Autodesk and Google
- Armageddon Energy
- PlasmaSi
- Renewable Fuel Technologies LLC
- SilFlex
- Siverde
- SolarNexus, Inc.
- soltac
- SunPods
- ZERE

Smart Power Category
- dot UI
- EcoFactor
- EnerVault
- Fenix
- Lenopsys
- LimeAmps
- Velkess

Transportation Category
- Evans Engines
- EVIN
- FuelSaver
- GigEVolt Technologies, Inc.
- itMoves
- OpticLanes
- PowerSTAR

This year the Clean Tech Open is holding competitions in California, the Pacific Northwest (semifinalists announced), and in the Rocky Mountain region (semifinalists announced).

Entrants will initially compete for regional prizes: $100,000 in cash and services to each of six winners (one for each category) in California; cash and services worth $50,000 to each of the three winners in both the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions. These 12 regional winners will then be placed in a national competition, with a Grand Prize winner to receive $250,000 in cash and services.

For more information:

• Clean Tech Open - Home page
• Clean Tech Open - Previous coverage (Green VC)

August 12, 2009 is Next Application Deadline for Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship

The Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship is a program of the Skoll Foundation that provides a grant of approximately $750,000 over three years to social entrepreneurs whose work has the potential to make a significant impact on issues such as environmental sustainability, health, tolerance and human rights, institutional responsibility, economic and social equity, and peace and security.  This award is intended to provide core support for organizations with a track record of at least than three years to help them expand their programs and capacity to deliver long-term, sustainable change.  Awards are presented at the Skoll World Forum, which takes place annually in Oxford, England in March.

Applications for the Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship are accepted and reviewed by the Skoll Foundation throughout the year.  You can also learn more about the Skoll Award on the Skoll Foundation's YouTube channel.

For more information:

• Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship - Home page (see links at bottom of page for FAQs, application instructions, and more)
• Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship - Winners

Astia and SDForum to Present "World Water Crisis: Technology Based Solutions" on July 14 (Discount Available)

On July 14, Astia and SDForum will present the latest program in the 2009 Clean Tech Breakfast Series.  This program is entitled World Water Crisis: Technology Based Solutions and will feature a panel that will focus on the technologies in areas including water treatment, management, conservation and purification.  The panelists for this program will be:

• Will Coleman - Mohr Davidow Ventures
• Rick DeGolia - Green Wireless Systems
• Courtney McColgan - Draper Fisher Jurvetson
• Lisa Cole - Nixon Peabody (moderator)

This event will take place from 8:00 am - 10:00 am at SAP, 3410 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, CA.  Thanks to our friends at SDForum, readers of Green VC can receive a $5 discount from the non-member registration price for this event.  To receive the discount, please use code "CLEAN05" when registering online. Further program information and registration can be found here.

Cleantech Forum XXIII is September 8 - 10 in Boston (Discount Available)

From September 8 - 10, 2009 the Cleantech Group LLC will present Cleantech Forum® XXIII in Boston. The theme of this event is "The Second Cleantech Investment Boom: Aligning Entrepreneurship and Innovation with Government Stimulus."  The Cleantech Forum is a leading cleantech investment event that brings together investors, senior executives, entreprenuers, policymakers, and scientists. 

Highlights of the Boston event include educational panel sessions, investor presentations from promising companies, a Cleantech Innovation Showcase, and a variety of networking opportunities.  Thanks to our friends at the Cleantech Group, readers of Green VC can receive a $100 discount on the registration price for this event.  To receive the discount, please use code "CalendarBST09" when registering online. Further program information and registration can be found at:

• Cleantech Forum XXIII - Home page
• Cleantech Forum XXIII - Agenda
• Cleantech Forum XXIII - Online Registration

"What You Need to Know about Renewable Energy: Evaluating and Managing Risks and Opportunities" to Take Place on June 30 (Discount Available)

What You Need to Know About Renewable Energy: Evaluating and Managing Risks and Opportunities is the fourth program in the discussion series from VC Taskforce and Morrison & Foerster entitled "Maximizing Returns in Emerging Cleantech Sectors: The Interplay of Regulation, Intellectual Property and Investment."  The goals of this series are:

• To provide an in-depth view into emerging sectors of the Cleantech economy
• To elaborate areas for VC consideration in due-diligence with regard to each sector
• To highlight areas for business planning/strategy development for emerging companies in the space

This program will take place on June 30 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm at Morrison & Foerster, 755 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA, and will feature the following panelists:

• Chris Carr - Partner, Morrison & Foerster (moderator)
• David Gold - Partner, Morrison & Foerster
• Puon Penn - Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo Commercial Banking Group
• Adam Bergman - Senior Vice President, Jefferies & Company, Inc.

The advance registration price for this event is $55 for VC Taskforce members and $95 for non-members (readers of Green VC can register at the $75 affiliate price).  If space is available, door registration is an additional $10.

For more information:

• What You Need to Know About Renewable Energy: Evaluating and Managing Risks and Opportunities - Program Information
• VC Taskforce - Home page

Application Deadline for Investors' Circle 2009 Fall Venture Fair is July 31

Investors' Circle (IC) is an angel investor network that focuses on enterprises that address social and environmental challenges.  According to IC, since 1992 it has facilitated the flow of more than $130 million into more than 200 private companies and small venture funds focusing on energy & environment, food & organics, health & wellness, media & education, and community development.

Each year IC holds two venture fairs that bring together investors and entrepreneurs.  IC is currently accepting applications from entrepreneurs interested in presenting at its 2009 Fall Venture Fair, which will take from November 15 - 17 in Washington, DC. The application deadline is July 31, 2009.

Complete application details are available in the Call for Applications section of the Investors' Circle website.  You can also review summaries of IC's past conferences and companies that presented at these events.

For more information:

• Investors' Circle - Home page
• Investors' Circle - Call for Applications

Application Deadline is June 15 for Social Venture Network (SVN) Innovation Awards

June 15 is the application deadline for the Social Venture Network (SVN) Innovation Awards.  This program is designed to recognize and support senior executives at private or nonprofit organizations who have implemented an idea that is having a positive social or environmental impact on the business sector. Award recipients will receive:

• 2010 SVN Membership: A one-year complimentary 2010 SVN membership, which provides access to a community of socially responsible business leaders who can provide advice and resources.
• 2009 Fall Conference: Complimentary registration, travel and hotel, and special recognition at SVN's 2009 Fall Conference.
• Mentorship: Advice and assistance from members of the SVN community and introductions to other successful socially responsible business and nonprofit leaders and investors
• Promotion: Prominent recognition on SVN's website for a full year, and recognition in SVN's 2009 Stakeholder Report
• Press: Publicity in various media outlets in late 2009

Applicants must currently hold positions as C-level executives (CEOs, executive directors, founders, etc.) of businesses or nonprofit organizations implementing an idea that is having a positive social or environmental impact on the business sector.  Eligible applicants will have started implementing their new idea fewer than five years ago, and their business or organization must be less than 5 years old.

Additional eligibility information and the application can be obtained here.  The application deadline is June 15, 2009 at 11:59 pm PST.

Application Deadline is May 31 for Cleantech Investor Pitch Lunch

May 31 is the application deadline for a Cleantech Investor Pitch Lunch that will be taking place on June 13th at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.  This program provides an opportunity for companies to present their businesses and network with VCs, angel investors, strategic partners, corporate investors, and industry experts.  This event is co-hosted by MIT Angels, MIT Club of Northern California, and OPEN Silicon Valley.

The event is open to pre-funded startup companies in the renewable energy, energy efficiency, water, reusing carbon, carbon capture and storage, smart grid, green IT, transportation, electric vehicles, and carbon credits sectors and that are making use of innovative technologies, products or business models.  Companies need to submit an application by May 31st @ 12:00 pm PST.

The cost for this event is:

• Presenting Companies (no cost to apply, only charged if selected to present): $50 for members, $100 for non-members
• Investors: Before May 31 - $50 for member / $100 for non-members. June 1 onwards - $100 for members / $150 for non-members

For further information contact shuja.keen [at] alum.mit.edu

"Starting a Clean Tech Business" To Take Place on June 8

The MIT Club of Northern California and HBS Association of Northern California will present a program entitled Starting a Clean Tech Business on June 8th. This program will feature the following panelists:

• Matt Goldman - Co-founder and President, Sustainable Spaces 
• Alex Kinnier - Partner, Khosla Ventures 
• Deborah Magid - Director, Software Strategy, IBM Venture Capital Group 
• Scott Newcomb - CEO, Virgance

This event is open to the public and will take place from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Fenwick and West, 801 California St, First Floor, Mountain View, CA 94041.  The cost is $25 for members and $45 for non-members.  Pre-registration is required for this event. No cancellations/refunds 72 hours prior to event. Light appetizers will be served.

American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Acquires Solar Nation

At last week's SOLAR 2009 conference, the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) announced that it acquired Solar Nation, an online advocacy organization.

"By joining forces both organizations will be able to take advantage of natural synergies to expand outreach and grassroots advocacy efforts in collaboration with industry partners," said Brad Collins, Executive Director of the American Solar Energy Society. "We welcome Solar Nation and its outstanding community of solar citizens."

Chris Stimpson, Executive Campaigner for Solar Nation stated, "One of the things I appreciate most about ASES is its close ties with the groundswell of interest in solar in America. This close liaison will allow us to offer an advocacy channel to even more people."

This agreement was effective May 1 and terms were not disclosed.

For more information:

• American Solar Energy Society (ASES) - Home page
• Solar Nation - Home page
• ASES Acquires Solar Advocacy Organization (May 14, 2009) 

TerraLUX Announces New CEO To Accelerate Growth

TerraLUX, a Boulder, Colorado-based company focusing on LED and related technology, announced today that Jim Miller, formerly Vice President Sales with Philips Lumileds, has joined the company as CEO and President.  TerraLUX Founder Dr. Anthony Catalano will continue working full-time at the company as a Director and Chief Scientist.

According to Dr. Catalano, “Jim’s track record in the LED industry with Philips Lumileds and other high tech companies makes him the perfect match to bring TerraLUX to leadership in solid state lighting. TerraLUX InSide has become a standard in quality and performance for LED Light Engines in the portable markets; our next target is the general lighting industry and Jim will lead us there."

TerraLUX was founded five years ago and received funding earlier this year from Access Venture Partners.  “Recruiting a leader like Jim Miller, speaks volumes about the strength of the TerraLUX technology base and the team he will be leading”, said David Gold, Venture Partner at Access Venture Partners.

For more information:

• TerraLUX - Home page
• TerraLUX Announces a New CEO to Lead Growth in Solid State Lighting Markets (May 18, 2009)
• TerraLUX Closes Funding with Access Venture (February 25, 2009)

2009 Clean Tech Open Deadline is May 30

May 30th is the deadline for the 2009 Clean Tech Open, a business plan competition that will provide more than $1 million in prizes for early-stage clean technology startups.  Over the past three years, the Clean Tech Open has helped more than one hundred start-ups raise more than $125 million in funding.

This year's competition includes two new regional competitions in addition to its previous California competition: the Rocky Mountain region (including Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) and the Pacific Northwest region (including Washington, Oregon and Idaho).

Startups can submit entries in these categories: Air/Water/Waste, Energy Efficiency, Green Building, Renewable Energy, Smart Power, and Transportation.  Entrants will initially compete for regional prizes: $100,000 in cash and services to each of six winners in California; cash and services worth $50,000 to each of the three winners in both the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions. These 12 regional winners will then be placed in a national competition, with a Grand Prize winner to receive $250,000 in cash and services.

For more information:

• Clean Tech Open - Home page
• Clean Tech Open - Previous coverage (Green VC)

Cleantech Startup Offices Available in Redwood City, CA

The Clean Tech Open (CTO) recently announced that it will be moving into new offices in Redwood City, California on June 1st. In addition, CTO announced that it will have five private offices available to their alumni and network on a first-come first-served basis.

These suites range in size from 130 to 185 square feet. Each private office has its own door key, a window and furniture, and will accommodate two to three people. All suites are furnished, and will be fully serviced including phone, internet, shared use of laser printers and conference room and, for members of the Clean Tech Open community*, will be priced from $600 - $875 per month, including basic services**. The building is in downtown Redwood City and near the Redwood City Caltrain station.

For more information, please email Katie Roberts KRoberts [at] cleantechopen.com with cc: to Jeremy Walker JWalker [at] cleantechopen.com

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* This offer is open to all mentors, alumni, volunteers and other members of the Clean Tech Open community; contestants in the current year's competition are not eligible.
** Additional costs may apply for heavy use of phones and printers

Environmental Business Cluster to Present "The Road to $30M and Beyond: A Cleantech Story" on June 16 (Discount Available)

On June 16, the Environmental Business Cluster (EBC) will present a program entitled "The Road to $30M and Beyond: A Cleantech Story."  This program will focus on the solar company GreenVolts and will cover the following:

GreennVolts, a leader in concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) technology, has raised $45 MM in financing including $30 million in Series B funding from Oak Investment Partners in September 2008. Meet the key players including GreenVolts' Founder & Executive Chairman, the CEC who identified GreenVolts as a prime candidate for commercialization and the representative from the CPUC who approved the deal with PG&E. Learn about the company's evolution, how the investment climate has changed since the downturn of the economy and how companies like GreenVolts are turning towards partnerships and alternative sources of funding for future technology development. In addition learn and how the CEC and CPUC are evaluating new concepts and power projects across California.

Panelists for this event include:

• Bob Cart - Founder and Executive Chairman, GreenVolts
• Paul Douglas - Supervisor, Renewable Procurement and Resource Planning, California Public Utilities Commission
• Harold (Hal) O. LaFlash - Director, Emerging Clean Technology Policy, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E)
• Melinda Richter, Executive Director, Environmental Business Cluster (Lead Facilitator)

This event will take place from 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm at Silicon Valley Capital Club, 50 W. San Fernando, Suite 1700, San Jose, CA 95113.  Discounted tickets are available for Green VC readers -- please select the "Partner" option from the event registration page.

"Next Generation Solar Solutions" is Topic of FountainBlue Clean Energy Entrepreneurs' Forum on June 1

"Next Generation Solar Solutions" is the topic of the next FountainBlue Clean Energy Entrepreneurs' Forum.  This program will take place on June 1 and feature the following panelists:

• Craig Lobdell - Partner, KPMG (facilitator)
• Matthew Garratt - Senior Associate, Battery Ventures
• Lorenza Moro - Senior Researcher, Materials Science Laboratory, SRI International
• Ryan Murr - Partner, Business Law Department, Goodwin Procter LLC
• PR Yu - CEO, Optony

This event will take place from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at SRI, 333 Ravenswood Ave, Menlo Park, CA. Additional program information, including registration pricing, is available via this link.