Cleantech Becomes Third Largest Venture Investment Category with $843 Million Invested in Q2 2006; $594 Million Energy Investment Triples Q2 2005

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 10, 2006--Cleantech venture capital investing in North America realized its 8th consecutive quarter of growth with a record $843 million invested in cleantech in Q2 2006, Cleantech Venture Network(TM) researchers reported today. The energy segment led the way with $594 million, a 69% increase over the $352 million invested in Q1 2006.

According to data, the $843 million in venture capital invested in cleantech during Q2 2006 represented a 64% increase over the $514 million invested in Q1 2006 and a 129% increase over Q2 2005. Cleantech investment reached 13.4% of all venture capital invested in all categories for the quarter. In the first half 2006, energy investment tripled to $946 million, from same time last year.

“The interest in cleantech has moved beyond investors to corporations, global media, national and state governments, academia, and the general consumer, reflecting its broad acceptance.”

Year-to-date cleantech investments totaled $1.4 billion, nearly doubling the $704 million invested in the first half of 2005. For all of 2005, cleantech investing totaled $1.6 billion. Also significant was that 6 of the 10 cleantech segments showed increases through the first half of 2006, indicating broad investment interest in the category.

"In addition to seeing a surge of venture investment in clean energy-related companies, we are seeing significant growth in other cleantech segments such as agriculture, environmental IT, transportation and water," said Nicholas Parker, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Cleantech Venture Network. "Growth in venture flows is being matched by more cleantech mergers, acquisitions and public market activity, along with a lengthening list of major corporations placing cleantech at the heart of their competitive strategies."

In Q2 2006, cleantech surged ahead of the two previously dominant venture investment categories of Telecommunications and Medical. It now ranks third behind only Biotech and Software, indicating its shift into the mainstream, observed Keith Raab, CEO and Co-Founder of the Cleantech Venture Network. "The interest in cleantech has moved beyond investors to corporations, global media, national and state governments, academia, and the general consumer, reflecting its broad acceptance."

A complete detailed analysis of both North American and European data will be presented at the Cleantech Venture Forum September 20-22 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The Cleantech Venture Monitor(TM), the primary source for quarterly cleantech deal information, has tracked more than $10.2 billion in cleantech deals since 1999.

About Cleantech Venture Network, LLC

The Cleantech Venture Network(TM) LLC is a membership group that catalyzes investment, business opportunities, and relationships driving the growth of cleantech globally. The network has over 900 affiliate members worldwide who take advantage of the global Cleantech Venture Forums(TM), comprehensive market research services and reports, online proprietary database of pre-screened companies, online deal flow, and online directory of investors active in cleantech. In addition, they provide information services including the twice a month market intelligence newsletter Cleantech Capital Alert and the quarterly Cleantech Venture Monitor report that tracks and analyzes all cleantech venture investments, M&As and IPOs in North America and Europe.

Over $500 million has been raised by companies that presented at the Cleantech Venture Forums(TM) since 2002. The organization has tracked and analyzed more than $10.2 billion of North American venture investment in cleantech since 1999 and all European cleantech investments over the past three years. They have expanded their database to include all M&As and IPOs in cleantech in North America and Europe.