Investments in clean technology startups rose 13 percent in the first quarter this year in North America, Europe, China and India — to $2.57 billion from $2.28 billion in the first quarter of 2010 across 159 companies — according to a report by Cleantech Group.
Investors poured the most money into late-stage ventures that accounted for $2.39 billion of the investments in the first quarter this year. More than half of the deals were late-stage investments, but they accounted for 93 percent of the funds. That’s because just a handful of companies are spearheading innovation in various industries.
Solar power ventures received the most money, bringing in $641 million across 26 deals. That includes a $72 million investment in Alta Devices that involved storied investment firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers — even though the company was still in a half-stealth mode. The next best performer was the transportation industry, with $311 million across 8 deals. That includes electric and hybrid vehicles that have less of an environmental footprint than internal combustion engine cars. Biofuels came in last, only receiving $148 million across 13 deals.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Late-stage investments dominate cleantech sector in Q1 | VentureBeat
Author: Matthew Lynley
