Essential Cleantech 2007

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Welcome to our review of Essential Cleantech 2007 where, as with all Library House events, the emphasis was on connecting key innovators, corporations and investors in the cleantech world, by attracting them to the same room.

The greatest investment opportunity of the next decade? The next bubble? Or both?

Whatever the cleantech sector in 2007 represents in your mind, there has been a very perceptible change since 2004 when we first got involved in this area. Commissioned by the Carbon Trust, one of today’s sponsors, Library House first lifted the lid on the UK’s private cleantech companies and the related, emergent investment activities through some extensive research work in 2004-05.

Cleantech is defined by Library House as technology that encompasses diverse products, technologies and processes which, through improvements in the whole supply chain from energy source through to point of consumption, result in a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission. This viewpoint, in contrast to others’ definitions, means that we explicitly exclude activities such as recycling, water treatment and other such processes, unless they are demonstrably NOT energy-intensive in their supply chain, and thus in totality do contribute to lower CO₂ emissions.

The 2004 data on UK cleantech companies revealed a sector which was regarded as niche and with curiosity. It had little identity to the majority, and thus was either not recognized or given much attention. This despite the fact that the data showed that, even then, it was the fastest growing area for venture capital investment, albeit starting off from a much lower base.

What a difference three years make. Curiosity has turned into necessity. Al Gore has won an Oscar. Library House’s cleantech coverage has gone international. In short, cleantech has gone mainstream, as is the conclusion of our third report on cleantech investment activity which we officially release today.

Library House’s business is to provide our clients with the essential intelligence they require to inform the decisions they make in the variety of their business activities – investing, advising, acquiring and partnering, building growth businesses, business development and so forth.

In his Oscar acceptance speech, Al Gore remarked that “we have everything we need to get started”. Library House aspires to provide you with everything you need to make your way in cleantech, including a trusted source of essential intelligence. Let us know how we are doing in that regard.

We hope you enjoy the review and come to next year’s event.

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