2006 European and North American Cleantech Venture Investment Totals $3.6 Billion.

Cleantech Category Grows 45% Over 2005 Total

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Cleantech Venture Network([R]) reported today that North American and European venture capital investment in the cleantech category totaled a record $3.6 billion for 2006, representing a 45% increase over 2005 cleantech investment of $2.5 billion, and a doubling over 2004 investment of $1.7 billion. About $775 million was invested in cleantech in Q4 2006, a 10% increase over the Q4 2005 investment of $704 million. The fourth quarter 2006 total was down 28% from the record $1.1 billion invested in Q3 2006.

Energy-related investment accounted for $2.6 billion, or 72%, of total 2006 cleantech venture investment. This represented a near doubling over the $1.3 billion invested in the energy category in 2005 and almost three times the amount invested in 2004. The Energy Generation segment totaled $1.7 billion, an 83% increase from 2005.

Nicholas Parker, chairman and co-founder of the Cleantech Venture Network([R]), noted that several factors to fueled investor interest in 2006 including high energy prices, growing awareness of issues such as global warming, favorable public policies and growth in available venture capital. "Energy was the most prominent beneficiary, but companies that specialize in transportation, water, air and environmental technologies and other categories also attracted venture capital," Mr. Parker continued.

Cleantech Venture Network([R]) researchers will be presenting in-depth research data on cleantech venture investing for North America, Europe and China at the Cleantech Forum[TM] February 19-22 in San Francisco.

About Cleantech Venture Network([R]), LLC 

The Cleantech Venture Network([R]) LLC is a membership group that catalyzes investment, business opportunities, and relationships driving the growth of cleantech globally. The Cleantech Venture Network([R]) founded the cleantech investment category in 2002 and brings together stakeholders at the four Cleantech Forums [TM] per year and provides investors, executives, government agencies, and media accurate and consistent data on cleantech venture investments, M&A and IPO's for North America, Europe, and China. The network has over 7,000 cleantech investors and 7,700 companies worldwide that take advantage of the global Cleantech Forums([TM]), comprehensive market research services and reports, online proprietary deal flow, and investor directory. In addition, CVN provides information services, including the twice-a-month market intelligence newsletter Cleantech Capital Alert[TM] and the quarterly Cleantech Investment Monitor[TM] report that tracks and analyzes all cleantech investments, M&As and IPOs in North America and Europe.