Q1 2007 Cleantech Venture Investment Totals $903 Million

Energy generation continues to lead all segments with $496 million

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cleantech Venture Network® researchers reported today that in Q1 2007 North American and European venture investment in the cleantech category totaled $903 million (USD). Q1 2007 venture capital investment represented a 16.5% increase over the $775 million invested in Q4 2006 and a 42% increase over Q1 2006 investment of $634 million.

“The increasing amount of venture investment coupled with M&A and IPO activity globally continues to demonstrate the potential for cleantech returns”

For the quarter, North American venture capital investment totaled $731 million, an increase of 19% over Q4 2006 and 42% increase over Q1 2006 investment. European cleantech venture capital investment totaled $172 million, representing a 6% increase over Q4 2006 and a 43% over Q1 2006. In North America, energy generation took in $398 million accounting for about 54% of total venture capital investment. In Europe, $98 million was invested in the energy generation category, garnering 57% of total European cleantech investment.

The Cleantech Venture Network® also tracks M&As and IPOs in North America, Europe and China. During Q1 2007, there were 24 worldwide M&A transactions (20 in North America) and 9 IPOs (8 in North America).

“The increasing amount of venture investment coupled with M&A and IPO activity globally continues to demonstrate the potential for cleantech returns,” said Nicholas Parker, chairman and co-founder of the Cleantech Group™, parent company of the Cleantech Venture Network®. There will be more in-depth data and analysis of venture, M&A and IPO activity in Europe, North America and China presented at the Cleantech Forum™ XIII in Frankfurt May 14-16th. This is the largest gathering of top tier cleantech investors, corporate leaders and innovators in Europe each year.

About Cleantech Venture Network®, LLC

The Cleantech Venture Network® LLC is a membership group that catalyzes investment, business opportunities and relationships driving the growth of cleantech globally. The Cleantech Venture Network® popularized the term cleantech in 2002 and defined the category, providing investors, executives, government agencies and media accurate and consistent data dating from 1999. The network has over 8,000 cleantech investors and 9,500 companies worldwide that take advantage of the global Cleantech Forums™, comprehensive market research services and reports, online proprietary deal flow, and an investor directory. In addition, CVN provides information services, including the twice-a-month market intelligence newsletter Cleantech Capital Alert™ and the quarterly Cleantech Investment Monitor™ report that tracks and analyzes all cleantech investments, M&As and IPOs in North America and Europe.