Source: Cleantech Group Press release
Cleantech Venture Investment in 2011 Reaches the Highest Level Since 2008
SAN FRANCISCO – January 5, 2012 – Cleantech Group™, a global research firm focused on cleantech innovation, today released preliminary 2011 results for clean technology venture and corporate investments around the globe, totaling $8.99 billion, a 13 percent increase over 2010. Cleantech mergers & acquisitions reached record highs in 2011 with 391 deals and a dollar volume of $41.2 billion, a robust 153 percent growth over 2010.
“While 2011 has been a difficult year for cleantech and venture capital, our 2011 numbers show surging interest in cleantech from global enterprises,” said Sheeraz Haji, CEO of Cleantech Group. “Despite some of the well-publicized headwinds, venture capitalists continue to invest in cleantech. Based on our historical data, we believe 2012 will be an all-time record year for global cleantech investments.”
Throughout 2011, investment totals grew while the number of deals declined by 7 percent compared to 2010, an indication that average round size is increasing. Of the 713 deals, 61 percent (438) were Series B or later rounds, accounting for 85 percent ($7.64 billion) of all money invested during the year.
Investments in North America grew significantly from $5.20 billion in 2010 to $6.81 billion in 2011, or a 30 percent increase. On the other hand, Europe and Israel took a step back, with $1.30 billion invested in 2011 compared to $1.84 billion in 2010.
In the public markets, China remained strong for cleantech IPOs. 28 of the 51 IPOs in 2011 came out of China, led by several massive offerings by large renewable energy corporations such as Sinohydro, Sinovel Wind Group and Huaneng Renewable Energy.
VENTURE INVESTMENT BY TECHNOLOGY SECTOR
Solar was the leading sector by amount invested ($1.81 billion), followed by energy efficiency ($1.46 billion) and transportation ($1.12 billion). Energy efficiency was the most popular sector measured by number of deals, with 150 funding rounds, ahead of solar (111 deals) and transportation (61 deals). The largest transactions in each of the top four sectors were:
- SOLAR – $1.81 billion in 111 deals
- ENERGY EFFICIENCY – $1.46 billion in 150 deals
- TRANSPORTATION – $1.12 billion in 61 deals
- BIOFUELS & BIOMATERIALS – $1.04 billion in 52 deals
Investment per region:
NORTH AMERICA: North American companies raised $6.81 billion, up 31 percent from 2010. The total of 470 deals disclosed represents a 25 percent increase from 425 in 2010.
In North America, California led the way with $3.69 billion in investments (54 percent share), followed by Massachusetts ($542 million, 8 percent) and Colorado (358 million, 5 percent). The largest deals included Fisker Automotive (three rounds at $315 million), BrightSource Energy ($201 million) and Sundrop Fuels ($175 million).
EUROPE & ISRAEL: European and Israeli companies raised $1.30 billion, down 30 percent from 2010 ($1.84 billion). There were 172 deals, also down 33 percent, from 256 in 2010. The largest deals were for Better Place ($200 million), Plastic Logic ($200 million) and Nexeon ($88 million).
More information or the full press release see this link
