Here are my notes from a very interesting event last week. Andres Wydler gave a great overview of the state of clean tech today, an area that was spared from a direct hit by the recession. Here are a few key stats:
- VC investment in 2008 was about $8.5 billion (60% U.S.). More impressive is the growth rate: 2001 (about $500 million), 2003 (about $1.2 million), 2005 (about $2 billion).
- His prediction is that five years from now, nobody will speak about clean tech anymore as it will have become integrated in everything we do.
- While environmental concerns were the main drivers in the market five years ago, today’s main drivers are commercial interests.
- He recommended “Hot, flat and crowded” by Thomas Friedman as an example of someone who gets it.
- He applauded SAP for its focus on sustainable business and for committing to specific carbon footprint reduction targets.
