Based on an analysis of some key startups in the algae alternative energy sector, and based on interactions with a number of other small aspiring startups in the industry, the following are the typical characteristics of an algae cleanteach company startup:
- 1. It is typically started by a small group of people.
- 2. Most of them start off with their own funds or some crowd funding. (This could change as the industry matures)
- 3. Many of them have or had close relationships with the research community even before they started, or from associations with the universities and research communities soon after they start.
Founding and running a clean-tech-start-up has become easier than ever before. Entrepreneurs get support by incubators, angel investors and accelerators, as well as crowdfunding platforms. If you think back, most of these opportunities were unthinkable for green technology only a couple of years ago.
Mumbai-based company called “Green India Building Systems and Services” working on geothermal cooling solutions, has recently raised an undisclosed amount in a Series A round of funding from Zurich-headquartered social investor ResponsAbility.
As solar energy is definitely the path forward, “Bright”, a new solar energy distribution + installation startup company has managed to pull in roughly $4 million in seed money to fund its new solar financing plans for countries in the developing world. Goal is to offer a high quality rooftop solar installation at no upfront cost.
The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator, a $10 million program, is a five-year initiative that is co-administered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory help and connects entrepreneurs to funding, technologies and experts. Also read this CleanTech profits report.
Need to raise capital for your clean technology start-up? Be informed about your current and future options and have a look at this list of helpful crowdfunding sources.
