Report: VC investments in clean tech surge - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:

Report: VC investments in clean tech surge - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:: "Report: VC investments in clean tech surge Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal

Global venture capital investments in clean technology companies surged to $1.1 billion in the first six months of 2007, according to a report released Wednesday. The mid-year research by Ernst & Young and Dow Jones VentureOne predicted that venture capital investments in clean technology companies are now on track to increase by more than 35 percent in 2007 as compared to 2006. The largest number of investments was in the U.S., with 71 deals closed in the first six months of 2007 raising more than $893 million. European investments are set to reach or even exceed 2006 levels, with 19 deals and $80 million invested in the first six months of 2007, the report said. 'Although venture capital investments in clean technology companies in China and Israel are still nascent, we expect that they will continue to accelerate,' said Jessica Canning, Director of Global Research with Dow Jones VentureOne. In terms of segment focus, solar is dominant in the U.S. and alternative fuels are on the rise. The report said that in the U.S., solar investments accounted for 15 of 26 deals and $305 million of $458 million raised in the energy generation segment."

This sounds somewhat like what we are seeing in the region. Hey, here's an idea, see a lot of these companies at the upcoming Sacramento Region Clean Energy Showcase on October 11 at UC Davis. Register by going to cleanstart.org.