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Speakers:
Mike Biddle,
Co-founder & CEO, MBA Polymers
Jennifer Fonstad,
Managing Director, Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Dirk Michels,
Partner, K&L Gates
John Woolard,
CEO, BrightSource Energy, Inc.
Moderator:
Ira Ehrenpreis,
General Partner, Technology Partners
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Presented in partnership with the Thunderbird Global Private Equity Center (TPEC)
Dwindling resources, rising fossil fuel costs, and the threat of damaging climate change have pushed greentech into corporate boardrooms, government debates and national headlines. "Greentech could be the largest economic opportunity of the 21st century," said one prominent venture capitalist.
This year, VCs have already invested more than $3.64 billion into green technology startups according to a survey by the Cleantech Network, a 13 percent rise over the same period last year. Investments were made in a range of sectors including renewable and distributed energy, advanced materials, transportation, and water purification/management.
This program will open with a cleantech industry overview by Ira Ehrenpreis, a recognized name in cleantech and venture capital circles. Ehrenpreis has served as chairman of the Cleantech Venture Network Advisory Board and as chairman of the Clean-Tech Investors Summit. The panel will discuss: Which green technologies will prove to be truly world-changing, which will be good investments, and which will turn out to be over-hyped? What government actions will have the greatest impact? Will funding continue to grow at the impressive rate experienced in the past 24 months or is another bubble set to burst? Where are the opportunities in the lower-tech side of clean tech including recycling, fuel cell membranes, green building, and conservation? Is there a downside to being green?
Thunderbird Global Private Equity Center (TPEC):
TPEC's vision is to become a leading globally-recognized thought leadership platform for business executives, investors, alumni and students to enhance understanding and advance knowledge on the key issues and trends facing private equity investing worldwide. TPEC will strive to achieve its vision by producing key and relevant research initiatives, key business private equity relationships, educational opportunities, and career advancements in the global private equity arena. For more information, please visit: www.thunderbird.edu/TPEC
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