The paradox of Washington state's clean tech industry
by Jon Prentice on Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 11:47am PST
Jon Prentice: Here in Washington state, elected officials and policy-makers across the political spectrum often tout our state’s leadership in fostering renewable energy and clean technologies. “The Puget Sound will become the next Silicon Valley of clean tech” is a common refrain.
And why not? Washington has, at first glance, a strong foundation for fostering companies that deploy renewable energy technologies: A proud legacy of environmental stewardship, historically progressive political leadership, abundant natural resources, and an active venture community. When it comes to protecting the environment, developing disruptive technologies – whether in software, biotechnology, or aerospace – and growing great companies, Washington state knows a thing or two.
But in interviews with local investors I conducted this summer on behalf of enterpriseSeattle and in coordination with the Washington Clean Technology Alliance and the Northwest Energy Angels, a much different picture emerged – one that doesn’t exactly tend towards sunny optimism or green shoots...
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