Five Perspectives on an Emerging Market: Challenges with Clean Tech Private Equity

Abstract

Private equity investment in technologies which deliver low carbon energy has grown as an area of both economic and social performance. This article offers a perspective on some of the challenges in the industry. It relies on case studies drawn from 35 interviews with leading clean tech investment managers from SiliconValley, NewYork, and London. The findings suggest that despite the long-term growth opportunities, some investors have struggled to find attractive risk-reward premiums in early stage investments.