Comments on: Kleiner Perkins Goes Green With $1.2 Billion In Two New Funds http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/ Startup and Technology News Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:27:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Algsol http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2250344 Algsol Fri, 02 May 2008 15:20:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2250344 This is history in the making. Two mice fell in buttermilk on gave up early and drowned the other fought so hard it turned buttermilk into butter. Just like the PC history something big, I feel is really taking place. I think back of the seventies in Tucson Az and say to myself; "My, My I wish I were thirty years younger. This is history in the making.

Two mice fell in buttermilk on gave up early and drowned the other fought so hard it turned buttermilk into butter.

Just like the PC history something big, I feel is really taking place.

I think back of the seventies in Tucson Az and say to myself; “My, My I wish I were thirty years younger.

]]> By: Brig http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245611 Brig Thu, 01 May 2008 20:59:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245611 I think VC money in green technologies can work, like the Wasatch Venture Fund with Advent Solar. In my puny mind, I think solar has sooo much potential. Like Intel, but bigger. Solar cells are often made from silicone (very plentiful) and the only problem is they are not yet powerful enough to generate a lot of energy per square inch. But apply Moore's Law, with efficiency doubling every 2 years and the cost going in half, and pretty soon a single cell on your roof will power your house all year long...for much less cost than now. But that's just me taking an idea in silicone in one industry (microprocessors) and applying it to another (solar panels). BUT if we could do that, then we would have cheeeeeeap energy so we could power water desalination machines & clean fresh water for the earth's populations wouldn't be an issue. Solar solves the world's problems, man........ ;-) I think VC money in green technologies can work, like the Wasatch Venture Fund with Advent Solar. In my puny mind, I think solar has sooo much potential. Like Intel, but bigger.

Solar cells are often made from silicone (very plentiful) and the only problem is they are not yet powerful enough to generate a lot of energy per square inch. But apply Moore’s Law, with efficiency doubling every 2 years and the cost going in half, and pretty soon a single cell on your roof will power your house all year long…for much less cost than now.

But that’s just me taking an idea in silicone in one industry (microprocessors) and applying it to another (solar panels).

BUT if we could do that, then we would have cheeeeeeap energy so we could power water desalination machines & clean fresh water for the earth’s populations wouldn’t be an issue. Solar solves the world’s problems, man…….. ;-)

]]> By: Russ http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245554 Russ Thu, 01 May 2008 20:49:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245554 @9 - The key is competitive funding from both camps. You can't assume a non-profit or governmental project would be more efficient than a VC funded project. I'd be skeptical about the future of green energy without investment from VC's. Its a big problem that takes money to develop solutions, yes VC money is different but in ways that drive different, sometimes more significant results. If you are truly a fan of the green movement, you should be ecstatic that this fund and hopefully many more will be launched. @9 - The key is competitive funding from both camps. You can’t assume a non-profit or governmental project would be more efficient than a VC funded project.

I’d be skeptical about the future of green energy without investment from VC’s. Its a big problem that takes money to develop solutions, yes VC money is different but in ways that drive different, sometimes more significant results.

If you are truly a fan of the green movement, you should be ecstatic that this fund and hopefully many more will be launched.

]]> By: Tim G http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245443 Tim G Thu, 01 May 2008 20:24:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245443 With all that money you'd think they could do better than a square for a logo. They should hire somebody (me) to redesign it for them. www.imageco.com With all that money you’d think they could do better than a square for a logo. They should hire somebody (me) to redesign it for them.

http://www.imageco.com

]]> By: dotw http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245440 dotw Thu, 01 May 2008 20:23:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245440 crunchbase says Kliener was founded in 2005?? come on more like 75 Website: www.kpcb.com Location: Menlo Park, California, United States Founded: August 1, 2005 crunchbase says Kliener was founded in 2005?? come on more like 75

Website: http://www.kpcb.com
Location: Menlo Park, California, United States
Founded: August 1, 2005

]]> By: JasonH http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245413 JasonH Thu, 01 May 2008 20:17:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245413 I have mixed reactions to this. What really needs to be done is more non-venture capitalist investment in green energy (i.e. non-profit and government). The problem arises when the VCs seek their return on investment short-term rather than long-term. Sure, we'll get some innovation, but it most likely will not be fully developed. In my view, this is dangerous if the half-innovated product gains enough traction thus limiting market entry of further developed products. For example, suppose a 100 Megawatt solar panel system for an entire city comes out from Kleiner Perkins investment. Their strategy is speed to market. Since they beat out the slower to market government solar project (with more efficiency in this example) it will be extremely tough for the new entrant to gain market share. Not to mention the unwillingness of the public to even fund a government project if they see private industry already taking the lead. Summary, I'm skeptical of the long-term benefits of VC investment in an area as important as green energy. I have mixed reactions to this. What really needs to be done is more non-venture capitalist investment in green energy (i.e. non-profit and government). The problem arises when the VCs seek their return on investment short-term rather than long-term. Sure, we’ll get some innovation, but it most likely will not be fully developed.

In my view, this is dangerous if the half-innovated product gains enough traction thus limiting market entry of further developed products. For example, suppose a 100 Megawatt solar panel system for an entire city comes out from Kleiner Perkins investment. Their strategy is speed to market. Since they beat out the slower to market government solar project (with more efficiency in this example) it will be extremely tough for the new entrant to gain market share. Not to mention the unwillingness of the public to even fund a government project if they see private industry already taking the lead.

Summary, I’m skeptical of the long-term benefits of VC investment in an area as important as green energy.

]]> By: lawrence http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245411 lawrence Thu, 01 May 2008 20:17:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245411 It's a long, tough, beuracratic battle...but when the tides do turn, eventually, this green investment of KPCB will be huge. The payoff probably become noticeably obvious in 10 years, maybe less - but i doubt it It’s a long, tough, beuracratic battle…but when the tides do turn, eventually, this green investment of KPCB will be huge.

The payoff probably become noticeably obvious in 10 years, maybe less - but i doubt it

]]> By: dan http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245142 dan Thu, 01 May 2008 19:17:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245142 I hear Ausra is hiring like crazy!! I hear Ausra is hiring like crazy!!

]]> By: Russ http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245124 Russ Thu, 01 May 2008 19:14:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2245124 This is big, the more VC's invest in this space the opportunity to really have breakthrough's grows significantly. Hats off to KPCB! I am very interested in the investor movement behind Green companies. Especially when you look at the "exit strategy" for any VC - public market or acquisition. Do/will investors invest in green companies because of the potential returns, or because it makes them feel good? This is big, the more VC’s invest in this space the opportunity to really have breakthrough’s grows significantly. Hats off to KPCB!
I am very interested in the investor movement behind Green companies. Especially when you look at the “exit strategy” for any VC - public market or acquisition. Do/will investors invest in green companies because of the potential returns, or because it makes them feel good?

]]> By: Siddharth http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2244997 Siddharth Thu, 01 May 2008 18:46:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2244997 Thats is a lot of money, and sure green. After all currency notes comes in green colour!! :-D Thats is a lot of money, and sure green. After all currency notes comes in green colour!! :-D

]]> By: Azhar http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2244983 Azhar Thu, 01 May 2008 18:43:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2244983 @loic Who's Michael...nice one. @loic Who’s Michael…nice one.

]]> By: Sandra G http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2244973 Sandra G Thu, 01 May 2008 18:41:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2244973 To the few who haven't read Tom Perkins' autobiography you should do so, it was excellent especially with the background to KPCB. Anything they do is worth following. To the few who haven’t read Tom Perkins’ autobiography you should do so, it was excellent especially with the background to KPCB. Anything they do is worth following.

]]> By: Loic http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2244930 Loic Thu, 01 May 2008 18:32:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2244930 {seesmic_video:{"url_thumbnail":{"value":"http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/qXeV5uLyrB_th1.jpg"}"title":{"value":" "}"videoUri":{"value":"http://www.seesmic.com/video/Z2RupAyT9u"}}}  

]]> By: Ryan Merket http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2244928 Ryan Merket Thu, 01 May 2008 18:31:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/kleiner-perkins-goes-green-with-12-billion-in-two-new-funds/#comment-2244928 2008, the year of Green. Makes sense. Best of luck to them and their upcoming ventures. 2008, the year of Green. Makes sense. Best of luck to them and their upcoming ventures.

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