Although it seems like it is taking forever for the US clean technology industry to take off, venture investment in the market is on the rise, according to recent reports.
US venture capital investment in clean tech companies increased by 54 percent to $1.14 billion in Q1 2011 from $743.3 million in Q1 2010, despite a 13 percent decrease in deals year on year from 79 to 69, according to an Ernst & Young LLP analysis based on data from Dow Jones VentureSource.
The top 10 deals in Q1 2011 totaled $683.1 million, 60 percent of the total raised for the quarter, and two deals accounted for 18 percent of the total dollars raised.
"The US cleantech market experienced continuing momentum -- both from a venture capital perspective and among the larger investment community. The second generation of solar companies and larger, later stage rounds dominated VC investor interest in Q1," said Jay Spencer, Ernst & Young LLP's Americas Cleantech Director, in a press release.
Here are some highlights from the report:
The Energy / Electricity Generation segment, led by strong solar investments, raised $450.3 million through 16 deals in Q1 2011. The solar sub-segment accounted for 39% of the total dollars raised for the quarter with $362.7 million, a 162% gain from Q1 2010.
Large investments also bolstered the Energy Storage segment to be the second largest in terms of dollars in Q1 2011. The segment is up 671% year on year after raising $262.4 million through 14 deals.
Battery companies drew in $121 million of this investment compared to $8 million in Q1 2010, a 1405% increase, while Fuel cell companies attracted $106 million in Q1 2011, a 308% increase year on year. Two deals accounted for 64% of the dollars raised in the Energy Storage segment overall, including Bloom Energy, a California provider of fuel cell-based power generators, which raised $100 million.
The report shows that investors continue to be cautious with money in this segment, favoring later-stage companies with a proven track record for sales:
Companies generating revenue raised $596.4 million, 52% of the total dollars invested in Q1 2011, up from just 34% in the same period last year. Later stage rounds accounted for 28 deals and $721.6 million, representing 67% of the total quarterly investment compared to 57% in Q1 2010. However, first round investment also increased by 77% to $146.1 million compared to $82.7 million in Q1 2010.
There were actually two clean tech IPOs filed in early 2011 in a generally lackluster IPO market, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance: California-based biofuel producer Solazyme Inc. filed its $100 million IPO in March 2011 and Gevo Inc., Colorado-based biofuels producer, raised $107 million through its February 2011 IPO.
Hi Barbara, it seems like the trend is more towards follow on investments rather than true venture or seed capital for new startups.There needs to be more investment capital available for entrepreneurs and new startups in this sector.This is probably due to the fact the these types of investments may be more capital intensive and the return to investors can take longer than other technology plays, such as software.
I would like to put on the table a topic strictly related to investments process reported by Barbara in her editorial. One of the biggest european telecom operator has launched on the market a massive campaign for selling home xdsl routers doable to save 40% energy consumption. Target is to reach by 1year from now 1 million devices sold that means CO2 saving equivalent to 11.500 cars no running in daily traffic.
I find that interesting that no companies in the U.S. are following the footsteps of the European Telecom company. If they can produce a 40% energy savings and reduce CO2 emissions, the U.S. by sheer volume should be able to see huge savings. So many people and companies talk about investing in greener technology, but nobody seems willing to take the time and invest the money to see major growth.
It is correct Jay_Bond. Anyway I can report a US start-up has promoted a social group on Facebook with the aim to make people aware on savings about "vampire" powers due to led on home devices. Believe it or not we are speaking about 50-60US$/year as saving and several CO2 Kilos emissions reduction for each one home.
In my opinion venture investment in the clean technology industry will increase in coming days. Two factors which will give impetus to this investment decision are rising crude oil prices and increasing demand for renewable energy resources in wake of events that unfolded in Japan.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
To save this item to your list of favorite EBN content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This