| The Sacramento area today advanced its bid to become a "clean technology powerhouse" by spotlighting the best regional clean tech ventures at the second annual Clean Energy Showcase at Sacramento State University. The event brought together the region's best innovators in clean technology, along with venture capitalists, investors, political leaders, and business managers. More than 450 people attended the event, featuring 75 exhibitors along with keynote speaker Steve Westly of the Westly Group. Jadoo Power, an industry leader in fuel cell technology and next generation power systems for military and emergency situations, was one of the many exciting exhibits at today's Clean Energy Showcase. Their exhibit engaged attendees with working fuel cells, military radios, energy cartridges, and other products for guests to interact with. This "rising star" clean technology company received funding from Velocity Venture Capital in Sacramento and continues to work closely with CleanStart. The Sacramento region is becoming one of the country's most active areas for incubating and growing successful "clean tech" companies due to the efforts of the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance (SARTA) and its CleanStart program. The number of clean technology firms in the Sacramento area has tripled in the last three years from 30 to more than 100 -- now providing more than 1,800 local jobs. CleanStart has as its near term goal seeing 25 new clean tech businesses in the region by 2010 that would add 1,000 more jobs. "SARTA is pleased to host this annual event to highlight the region and spotlight what we and other organizations such as SACTO, the Metro Chamber, and Valley Vision are doing," said J. D. Stack, CEO of SARTA. Venture capitalists in 2007 invested more than $50 million in clean technology in Sacramento. Nationwide, they invested more than $5 billion. Growth in clean tech ventures in the region is riding the crest of a wave of intense interest. "The region's proximity to the leaders in energy efficiency research at UC Davis, and California's attention to policy and the incentives it offers to clean technology, makes Sacramento a logical choice for this work," explains Dr. Barbara Grant, Managing Director of American River Ventures. "A majority of our investments in the last three years have been made with entrepreneurs who are providing a platform to energy efficiency and intelligence." "We are looking to put one third of our investment fund into clean tech companies in this area," said Jack Crawford, General Partner of Velocity Venture Capital in Folsom. "We think this is a great opportunity for superior returns for our investors. We are seeing many VC firms outside the area take a much closer look at what we can achieve here." As the market for clean energy continues to develop, Sacramento is projected to create 10,000 new jobs and $5 billion per year in direct economic activity in the next ten years. Sacramento's impressive growth and potential has attracted both national and global attention. The City of Sacramento was one of 12 U.S. cities to receive a Solar America Cities grant for $200,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy to support the advancement of solar energy. Additionally, multinational clean-tech firms such as German companies SNA American and SunTechnics, Dutch-based Ecostream and Pacific Ethanol, Inc. have recently transplanted their headquarters to Sacramento. "Sacramento is uniquely positioned to be a world leader in the development of clean energy alternatives," said Gary Simon, CleanStart's co-chairman. "We have a governor who has the ear of world leaders, a growing community of entrepreneurs looking to change the world, and world class research facilities." The Clean Energy Showcase -- Venture Expo program included: -- Keynote speaker: Steve Westly, of the Westly Group, shared his global perspective on clean energy. -- Roundtable topic discussions included: "Securing Capital" hosted by Michelle Hallsten of Pillsbury Winthrop and "Green Building and State Retrofits" moderated by Roy McBrayer of Green Action Team. -- "Presenting Regional Rising Star Companies" featured: Paul Misso, of Marquis Wind Power and Leonard Devanna, of Jadoo Power. -- Key sponsors included: SMUD, PG&E, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, Drexel University and Sacramento State University. About CleanStart
CleanStart helps entrepreneurs assemble solid management teams, secure adequate funding and accelerate the commercialization of sound product ideas. Its mission is to create clean technology jobs and wealth for the Capitol Corridor region. The organization was born out of an innovative needs assessment study that was jointly funded and managed by the California Energy Commission, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and is a program SARTA.
Learn more about CleanStart and the Clean Energy Showcase by visiting www.cleanstart.org. | 
