Dear Daniel,
On Thursday, June 5, 2008, beginning at 5:30PM, representatives from major venture capital firms are convening in Waltham to share their experience and insights from investing in clean energy companies. Joining us will be:
* Rob Day of @Ventures
* Eric Emmons of Siemens Venture Capital
* Andrew Friendly of ATV Capital
* Bill Lese of Braemar Energy Ventures
Rob Day- Rob is a principal and joined @Ventures in 2007, and operates out of the firm’s Boston-area office. He currently holds an observer seat on the boards of Powerit Solutions and M2E Power. Rob is the co-author of The Next Bottom Line: Making Sustainable Development Tangible , co-leads the Renewable Energy Business Network, and authors the website Cleantech Investing. He also serves on the advisory boards of the New England Clean Energy Council and GreenTech Media.
Eric Emmons- Eric is an Investment Partner with Siemens Venture Capital based in Boston, MA. He specializes in investments in energy, materials, and industrial solutions. Before joining Siemens Venture Capital in 2008, Eric was a general partner at the Massachusetts Green Energy Fund, where he led many of its investments in photovoltaics, biofuels, industrial process efficiency, and new materials. Eric also worked with Commons Capital, a venture capital firm in the Boston area which invests in energy, medical, and technology companies.
Andrew Friendly- Andrew joined ATV Capital in 2007 as a Senior Associate in the firm’s Waltham office where he focuses on investments in cleantech. Prior to joining ATV, Andrew was a Director at Idealab in Pasadena, CA where he worked for over three years evaluating energy and cleantech technologies for potential investment and company creation. He focused on several areas including solar PV and thermal, fuel cells, hydrogen generation, flywheels, small-scale wind, advanced batteries, new transportation concepts, and building monitoring hardware and software. He played an active role with Idealab companies, serving on three Boards, assisting with strategy, developing partner and customer relationships, and securing venture capital.
William D. Lese- Bill is a Managing Director with Braemar Energy Ventures and has more than 24 years of research, operating and venture capital experience in the energy and environmental businesses. Prior to co-founding Braemar, Mr. Lese was a partner with Mantis Holdings, Inc., a venture capital firm focused on investing in energy efficiency and environmental companies. Prior to joining Mantis, he was the Director of Business Development for NPS Industries, Inc. While there, Mr. Lese managed a joint venture with Consolidated Edison Co. Prior to joining NPS Industries, he was one of the original employees of Sithe Energies, Inc. (an affiliate of Vivendi, SA), which became one of the world’s largest independent power producers. Currently, he serves on the board of directors of numerous companies including, EnerNOC, Celunol, Coaltek, and Utility Associates.
Each presenter has been asked to cover the following in their discussions:
1. With regards to a completed clean energy transaction, what was it that attracted you tothe specific industry sector?
2. What characteristics made the specific enterprise stand out against their peers?
3. What areas are emerging, in decline and overvalued in the clean energy sector?
4. What advice do you have for companies seeking investment capital in the clean energy industry? and
5. If you were forming or joining a clean energy business today, which one would you select?
The event is taking place at the Foley Hoag Emerging Enterprise Center, 1000 Winter Street, North Entrance, in Waltham, Massachusetts. The doors open at 5:30 PM for registration and refreshments, with presentations beginning at 6:15. The event costs $15 for members and $25 for non-members, refreshments included. To register, please send an email to Lucy Rohner lrohner@MassH2.org or call (978) 232-0081.
As always, If you have any questions, please call me at
(978) 500-5644 or email me at bbradshaw@hy9.com.