North America sponsors

Lead Sponsors

Altira

The Altira name is synonymous with early stage and growth venture capital for energy technology. Since 1997 we have been investing in companies that develop and commercialize energy technologies. Our definition of energy technology includes: oil and gas technologies, information technology for the energy industry, power generation, transmission and distribution technologies, and renewable energy.

The Altira mission is to invest in innovative technology companies that will impact the future of energy.

We are now investing Altira Technology Fund IV. If you are seeking venture financing for a technology enterprise in the energy industry, we would like to speak with you. We will consider opportunities throughout North America and beyond, as appropriate. We do not invest in projects for petroleum exploration and production or for power generation.

Braemar Energy Ventures

Braemar Energy Ventures applies more than 55 years of combined experience in operating and financing power technology companies to make early and growth-stage investments in companies and management teams with superior technologies, and marketplace experience. Braemar partners with energy technology and energy-related communications firms to help unlock the enormous potential that exists in creating profitable solutions to the issues shaping the future of energy.

Emerald Technology Ventures

Emerald Technology Ventures is a global leader in cleantech venture capital. Founded in 2000 under the name SAM Private Equity, Emerald is a pioneer in this rapidly emerging sector and is focused on innovative technologies in energy, advanced materials and water. From offices in Zurich, Switzerland and Montreal, Canada, Emerald manages three venture capital funds and two venture capital portfolio mandates totaling over EUR 300 million (USD 440 million). Emerald is currently investing out of its latest fund and is looking for energetic and passionate entrepreneurs with the vision to build world-class clean technology companies.

Environmental Entrepreneurs

Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is the independent business voice for the environment. E2 is a national community of individual business leaders who advocate for good environmental policy while building economic prosperity. Working with NRDC, E2 takes a reasoned, economically sound approach to environmental issues by relying on fact-based policy expertise. As the independent business voice in the debate, E2 is effective and delivers results at both the state and national levels through its bipartisan efforts.

Global Environment Fund

Established in 1990, the Global Environment Fund (GEF) invests in businesses around the world that provide cost-effective solutions to environmental and energy challenges. The firm manages private equity dedicated to clean technology, emerging markets, and sustainable forestry, with approximately $1 billion in aggregate capital under management. GEF’s investors include prominent endowments, foundations, family offices, and pension funds.

Goodwin Procter

Goodwin Procter's Clean Technology & Alternative Energy Practice unites leading multidisciplinary specialists in an intergraded team. The goal? Enabling the entrepreneurs, operating companies, investors and think tanks—the pioneers and financiers of sustainable energy technologies—to capitalize on opportunities and minimize risks in a rapidly evolving market. Our regulatory attorneys have helped major energy companies develop renewable and carbon reduction programs. On an ongoing basis, we counsel early stage financing, secure intellectual property rights and build expansion plans. On the private equity end, our attorneys work with numerous funds making later-stage investments in alternative energy and other clean technologies. Our clients — including both VC and PE investors and clean tech companies — have access to a firmwide network of regulatory, corporate finance and financial services experts to help them navigate through a variety of complex securities and capital market transactions. In addition, we advise clients on the potential use and sale of greenhouse gas emission reduction and renewable energy credits. Our attorneys have participated in landmark litigation and regulatory proceedings on behalf of numerous energy and environmental clients, affording us unparalleled experience in guiding clients through the thicket of law, regulation and policy that is critical to their commercial success.

The Macquarie Group

The Macquarie Group is a global provider of banking, financial, advisory, investment and funds management services. Headquartered in Australia, the Macquarie Group operates in more than 60 office locations in 25 countries and employs more than 13,000 people.

Macquarie Funds Group (“MFG”) is a full service fund manager with over 25 years experience. It offers a diverse range of products including managed funds across a wide range of asset classes, funds-based structured products, hedge funds; and fund of funds. Macquarie Funds Group has a global reach with a team of over 700 staff across 16 global locations. As at 30 June 2008, Macquarie Funds Group had over US$70 billion in funds under management.

MFG Funds of PE Funds team has been investing in private equity funds since 1996 and is located in Sydney, Melbourne, San Diego, London and Hong Kong. The team has 24 professionals dedicated to the management and servicing of private equity portfolios globally. As at 30 June 2008, the team had $A5.1 billion in funds under management and advice in fund-of-funds and separate accounts, making MFG one of the largest private equity fund-of-fund managers in Australia.

MDV-Mohr Davidow Ventures

MDV has been a leading Silicon Valley venture capital firm for 25 years. The firm funds and mentors entrepreneurs, scientists and young companies involved in redefining business, technology and medicine. MDV invests and takes a hand-on approach to help build companies addressing three major themes: Powering the Planet; Driving the Digital World; and Personalizing Medicine. Category-leading companies funded by MDV include: Agile (ORCL); Brocade, Catilin; Corventis; Energy Innovations; IronKey; Gordon Murray Design; hi5; Hycrete; Nanosolar; ONI Systems (CIEN); OPX Biotechnologies; Laurus Energy; Pacific Biosciences; Proofpoint; Recurrent Energy; Revenue Science, Sabrix; Shutterfly; Visible Measures and ZeaChem. MDV has $2 billion dollars under management.

NYSE Euronext

NYSE Euronext (NYX) is the world’s leading, most liquid and diverse exchange group. It offers a broad array of financial products and services in cash equities, futures, options, exchange-traded products, bonds, market data, and commercial technology solutions, all designed to meet the evolving needs of issuers, investors and financial institutions. Spanning multiple asset classes and six countries, NYSE Euronext’s exchanges include the New York Stock Exchange, Liffe, Euronext and NYSE Arca. With more than 6,500 listed issues, more than any other exchange group, trading on NYSE Euronext’s equity markets represents more than one-third of the world’s cash equities volume. NYSE Euronext also manages the leading European derivatives exchange by value of trading. www.nyx.com.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Pillsbury stands apart from other law firms for our deep experience in the areas of law, regulation and policy critical to successful development and deployment of clean technologies. Our clean technology lawyers help entrepreneurs and investors not only with initial financing, but they also guide them through the legal and regulatory maze. With one of the most comprehensive energy practices in the world and decades of experience representing technology industry leaders, we are a “go-to” firm in this burgeoning sector.

RockPort Capital Partners

RockPort Capital Partners is a venture capital firm with $125 million under management that invests in early to mid stage companies in the energy, environmental and advanced materials sectors. We are licensed as a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) by the Small Business Administration, and operate as a Participating Securities SBIC within the parameters of the program. RockPort invests in businesses located within the United States.

Our six Partners have a diverse mix of entrepreneurial, industry and investment experience. The Partners’' backgrounds include management and operating experience in small businesses - from concept through exit - in multiple industries. We also have capital formation and strategic transaction experience gained from senior positions at bulge bracket Wall Street investment banks. This collective experience provides RockPort with a skill set that is proving valuable in selecting investment opportunities and working with portfolio companies to develop successful businesses. RockPort seeks venture capital returns by investing in businesses with a good fit between the needs of the business and the expertise of our Partners. We are attracted to a strong management team with a breakthrough technology that delivers significant economic value to large potential markets.