Collection of notes from a recent trip (January 09) to Silicon Valley where the goal was to understand the current status of clean-tech innovation from a variety of perspectives; political, entrepreurship, and venture capitalists. More on sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation at www.enviu.org

1. Notes
from the Valley
Oriol Pascual
20 - 1 - 2009

3. Good News...
Clean-tech is the
next big thing!!

4. Outline
CA Recipe for success
Innovation & Incubation
The VC’s perspective
Clean-tech to follow

5. CA Recipe for Success
Political will &
smart policy
Entrepreneurship &
innovation
Money; Ca 40% of
global VC in clean
Circumstance

6. San Jose green vision 2015
25.000 new clean-tech
jobs
50% energy reduction
per capita
100% renewable
electricity
Green buildings; 50 m.
sq. feet

7. San Jose green vision 2015
100% re-use of waste water
Development general plan
100% public fleet using alternative fuels
Smart, zero-net street-lighting
100 miles interconnected bike trails

8. Innovation: IDEO
Product & system
Innovation through
design
Approach to
sustainability;
social impact
Aquaduct purifies
water while biking

9. Aquaduct by IDEO

10. NGO;
The Climate Group

11. The Climate Group
Focus on promoting
leadership on climate
& influence change
Best practices, low-
carbon prosperity
Network & incubator:
Together.com,
Smart2020

12. Incubation;
EBC - Plug & Play

13. San Jose’s EBC
Focus on energy &
env. technology
commercialization
120 start-ups since
1994
Public & non-profit
Incubator of the year
2008

14. EBC Scope
Clean energy
Clean transportation
Technology commercialization

15. EBC services
Space
Shared facilities & office equipment
Front office
24/7 access
Business consultations

16. EBC services
Commercialization of tech
Network
Financing assistance
Education & coaching

17. EBC requirements
Clean-tech product or service
Start-up, early stage dev. or re-structure
Viable BP
Market identification & knowledge

18. EBC requirements
Technical capability
Financial plan
Potential for creating new jobs

19. EBC criteria
Business potential
Quality BP
Clarity market focus

20. EBC criteria
Reality assessment competition
Quality management team
Ability to utilize cluster services

21. Plug & Play
3 years; 3 centers
220 start ups; 70%
internet-based
Goal; 1000 start-ups
by 2010
Private & for-profit
Scope; tech oriented
product & services

22. Plug & Play services
Space (cubicles), adaptable, monthly fee
In-house data centers
Recruiting; talent acquisition
Corporate development
Product development (China, Latin Am)

23. Plug & Play services
Funding; monthly deal review session
with 20+ VCs
Events; demos
International; goal 40% int start-ups by
2010

24. Plug & Play criteria
“As long as they innovate”
BP reviewed by 2 board members
6 months to 2 years (non-fixed)

25. Plug & Play goes green
Just started 3 months ago
Goal; 30-40 by end 2009
Energy intelligence (software)
Need to re-define services

26. The VC perspective

27. VC in Silicon Valley
740 funds in the
Valley
20+ angel investors
groups
2930 deals = 22 b
(2008)

28. VCs & clean-tech
40% decline investments in 2008 Q4
Used to be the fastest growing
Good news; everybody feels confident
that IT IS the investment to be in

29. VCs & clean-tech
Winners
Efficiency process (software)
Enhancement of clean energy (i.e. solar)
Carbon is getting momentum

30. VCs & clean-tech
Losers
Capital intensive; wind, solar
Fuels and batteries

31. VCs; what they look for?
Potential market; +1 billion
Team composition; tech+bizz
+marketing
Competitive landscape
IP strategy

32. Innovative companies

33. Sunpower
The most efficient
PVs on the planet
1985; Standford
spin out
First used by NASA
400 employees
Vertical approach

34. Clean Fish
Premium fish from
sustainable sources
Farm & wild
Innovation; value
chain & aquaculture
techniques

35. Tesla
High-end electric
cars
Innovation; unique
engine & battery
technology
Partnering with Ford
to provide battery
technology

36. Magnanimus Wine
Sustainable, organic & “biodynamic”
wines
2 years in the market
10.000 l/year (goal: 50.000 in 3 years)

37. Wrapping-up

38. Final notes
Access to talent
Knowledge+money+entrepreneurship
Timing & appropriateness
Fail, fail often, fail early

39. oriol@enviu.org