Cleantech Investment: An International Comparison
Westin Palo Alto, Thursday May 27, 2010, 8:30am-12:00pm
8:30am Reception, Networking, Continental Breakfast
9:20am Welcome/Introduction
9:30am Visio Conference/International Panel Discussion/Interviews Frankfurt- Paris- San Francisco
Our International section will be a comparative overview of the European and American entrepreneurial environment. What is happening, where can we collaborate, and what can we learn from each other?
Each country will answer each question in 5 min. segments
9:30am
• What are the industries of cleantech that are being invested in now?
9:45am
• What is the average valuation given to startups today? How does this compare to past valuations?
10:00am
• Where will the next wave of funding go? Will it be to support new technologies in a specific industry? Or will it be additional funding for current portfolio companies?
10:15am
• What are the largest hurdles for you as an entrepreneur? Finding investment? Meeting potential business or technology partners? Marketing? Manufacturing? Learning “best practices”?
10:30am Q&A
10:40am Silicon Valley/Local Panel Discussion for Palo Alto Audience
1. Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs:
• What are the most promising technologies coming out of the startup community?
• What are the largest barriers to receiving funding?
• How do Silicon Valley cleantech entrepreneurs compete with industry giants like GE, Cisco, Google?
• If acquisition is the end goal, how do you become valuable and innovative enough to be an acquisition target rather than a competitor? Do you need to have corporate communication with industry giants from conception?
• What are the incubators or launching platforms available for entrepreneurs?
2. Silicon Valley Investment & Valuation Environment
• What sectors of clean technology are Venture Capitalists actively investing in/pursuing?
• How have the large capital needs of clean tech companies affected VC firm’s strategy? How has it affected the entrepreneur’s strategy for pursuing funding?
• How has Federal funding affected the historical funding model for high-tech entrepreneurs?
• Is there a need for extra funds from the Venture Capital community or Investment Banking industry to act as a bridge for clean tech startups from conception to exit? Is our government taking a role in this need?
• What role does corporate investment play in the startup industry?
• What are the main differences between corporate investment and venture capital investment? Is one more attractive than another?
3. Silicon Valley Exits
• Have there been any recent IPOs in the cleantech industry?
• What is the most likely form of exit for companies today? Is acquisition more appealing for cleantech companies as the energy industry demands large amounts of capital over longer periods of time?
11:40am Q&A
12:00pm End of seminar followed by networking
Speakers
Bessemer Venture Partners, Justin Label, Partner
NGEN Partners, Rob Koch, Partner
Advanced Technology Partners, Ed Birss, Partner
Growth Point Technology Partners, Bob Horstmeyer, Managing Director of Technology Investment Banking
Moderator
Jane Capital Partners, Neal Dikeman, Partner
Registration: please contact ashley.harris@agrion.org
Cost: Free