Clean Energy Will Be Big – Just Look Who’s There

Who’s there is President Elect Barack Obama with the policy and government money.  Visionary and author Tom Friedman is there with public vision. And iconic VC John is there with private investment.  What’s not to like about that group of movers and shakers?

Once again, Tim Berry nails it when it comes to being forward looking and prescient about which way the winds of business are blowing.

In 1+1+1 = More than Three on Clean Energy Tim Berry discusses the what the tea leaves are telling us about the business environment for clean energy in the near future: “Sometimes things come together and mean more together than they would separately. Looking forward, clean energy is going to be very big.

I don’t want to get into one of those “this-is-a-good-business-to-start” suggestions, because you don’t just decide to do a new business, look at what’s hot, and end up with clean energy. Obviously you have to be operating in that area already, with interests and outlook and probably education and skill set, to be building a business. Still, there are the come-along clean energy businesses, the websites, the information sites, distribution, and so on. I think this is worth special attention.

Consider these three things which happened this week and last:

1. Barack Obama and Energy Policy

Most of us have seen it in the news coverage, or the debates, or on his websites. One of Barack Obama’s most important points is the need for a huge push in clean energy. He’s talked about finding ways to invest $15 billion per year. This looks and feels like it could be the equivalent of John Kennedy’s national call to action in 1962 when he challenged the nation to have a man walking on the moon before the end of the decade.

2. Thomas Friedman’s Public Vision

His new book is called Hot, Flat, and Crowded and I’ve posted about it before on this blog. Tuesday night he offered a quick summary on The Daily Show. I think he’s on the right track. (If you don’t see the video here, try the source video on Comedy Central.)

3. Venture Capital and Clean Energy

John Doerr has been a venture capital industry leader for 25 years (or so). Click on this video (or, if you can see it below, watch it here) of an interview-style presentation he did last week at the Web 2.0 conference. Notice what he’s saying about venture investment and clean energy.

This conversation goes over a lot of important ground about financial crisis and venture capital, so it’s worth listening to the full 32 minutes. But in this context of clean energy, notice how clear John Doerr is talking about the investor interest.”

At last week’s Web 2.0 Summit a journalist asked “if green technology was here to stay, or if it is just another fad that would die at the hands of dropping gas prices and a recession. “I think it’s one of the world’s biggest opportunities,” the participant responded

Of course you have to have the interest and skill set to find a niche in the clean energy area.  But there seem to be more paths opening up all the time.  Think about it.  Write and tell us if you have ideas to share.

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Tagged as: business, business opportunity, green business, technology