Raising Capital for CleanTech Start-ups

The 2014 Clean Business Investment Summit (which we abbreviate CBIS and pronounce “C-Biz”) held its first planning meeting this morning.  I’ve been proud of the role I’ve played here (member of the Board of Advisors) since I joined in 2010, chiefly because this event, held in late summer, has been fairly effective in helping cleantech start-ups raise the seed capital they need to go forward.  Historically, 30% of the companies presenting (there are about 15 each year) actually get funded – representing a total of over $110 million in angel investment money since the program’s inception 11 years ago.

In my view, 30% is a fairly impressive figure.  After all, even though all the business plans are vetted, let’s just say that some of these ideas are better than others.

Lots of people talk about helping cleantech companies raise investment funding, but CBIS actually does it.