2GreenEnergy at the Keiretsu Forum

Once a month, I get together with a small panel of angel investors at the local chapter of an international group called the Keiretsu Forum, where we review a few cleantech business plans, as presented by representatives of these forms’ executive team.  Some of these focus on areas that are a bit foreign to me, e.g., life sciences.  But others are right up my alley: alt-fuel transportation, energy efficiency, and occasionally clean energy. 

I like to think my participation adds something to the meeting, in terms of both content and flavor.  Generally, I’m the only one in the room who knows anything about clean energy, so the other investors rely on my background in those cases.  But I also like to challenge presenters with some tough (but polite) questions.

At the end of the meeting, the presenters are asked to leave the room, so the need to be courtesy goes out the window, and the panelists can speak freely without offending anyone; this is where things get colorful. Perhaps 20% of these business concepts hold water; the rest are generally asinine, and I’ll make comments like:

There is nothing theoretically impossible about this idea, but as a business, it could not work in this or any other conceivable universe, or

I’ve yet to meet anyone stupid enough to buy what this guy is selling.

I suppose I’m the Simon Cowell of cleantech presentations, although I absolutely refuse to behave poorly in front of the presenters.

A good time is had by all, and then it’s time for wine and cheese.  Not a bad way to spend a few hours.