Radio Show: Raising Capital for Cleantech Companies

Here’s a link to the radio show I just did on raising capital for cleantech companies.

This discussion was a bit rambling, and the host and I hunted and punched around a great number of issues, but I think we made some solid and important points:

• If you’re looking for investment capital, ask yourself why.  Wouldn’t you rather have $5 million in purchase orders from credit-worthy customers than $5 million in venture capital with a ton of strings attached, lost equity, and a venture capitalist breathing down your neck for the next five years?

• Be patient.  For some reason, the U.S. is lagging behind the rest of the world in the adoption of clean tech, and renewable energy in particular – but don’t let that discourage you.  We’re coming around, and most other countries are already there.

• As the world wakes up to the fact that fossil fuels don’t represent a sustainable energy future, this makes clean energy a sure bet for the right people, with the right solutions, if they are diligent.

I hope listeners took away something valuable.