I recently had the opportunity to attend Babson’s 4th annual Entrepreneurial Energy Expo 2009 on CleanTech Investing, March 26. I was quite impressed with the quantity and range of attendees and the quality of the presentations/breakout sessions. There was much energy and optimism in the breakout session I attended dealing with the significant challenges of investing in CleanTech, including a number of local active VC/PE firms (both private and state funded) and their experiences.

One interesting point made was that because of the significant investment over a sustained period required by these companies, VC have raised their hurdle rates from 35% to 45% or more, to account for the risk inherent in these technologies/business models.

I’ve included links to the opening presentation and the luncheon presentation by Peter Fusaro – Implementing the New Green Business and Nicholas Parker – Cleantech in an Obama World