Beyond the Hatchery

This past week I spent some time in Silicone Valley meeting and learning about a number of Cleantech companies from all over the globe. I was impressed by the breadth of issues that were being addressed. Like NextGen, these companies find opportunity where there is room for improvement. Smart grid, water treatment, power and air quality, energy recapture and better buildiong processes to name a few. And many times, there were multiple solutions to the same problem. The excitement, passion and enthusiasm each had for their business was refreshing and encouraging. But what I found most unique about the environment was unlike your typical incubator model, in that technology was openly discussed and opportunities for improvement was accepted without fear of lost trade secrets or crushed egos. How we foster emerging technology is vital to better business. The old model of clandestine retreats for corporate strategy has to be shed for a more open and candid forum among game changers. Because they may have the technical ability but if the "secret sauce" for success isn't cultivated it may never get to market. Products and process kept in a vault will never change a thing. Incubators are supposed to hatch ideas and then mature them. If left to themselves, technical developers will keep developing and not building a business model around an idea or product. Mentorship and angel forums are vital to nuturing new companies and exposing them to their weaknesses. Experience and insight is key to bringing ideas to market and not letting them languish in a lab.

Do we dare call ourselves clean tech?

<p>Given the beating the term has taken in the press, it is with much trepidation that I categorize energy efficiency with the likes of other patient capital companies under the same moniker. Although it is relatively capital intensive, solid state lighting should be considered the first stage in energy offsets. Reduction in demand makes renewables more effective and diminishes total kilowatt need.<br>
But the recent bankruptcies have left VCs and angel investors skittish from non-software based firms. Makes me want to do virtual energy efficiency. Web based CO2 offsets. If we were emitting CO2, here's what I could save.</p>