The Cleantech Network issued a report this week that looks back at cleantech venture investing in 2006. It was a “watershed period” in the industry, according to the group, as investment in the sector rose 70 percent in 2006 and the market began to see its first successful cleantech IPOs and M&As. Venture investors put $3.9 billion into cleantech companies in North America, Europe and Israel — $1.6 billion more than in 2005.
Here’s some more of the data:
- When it comes to VC funds raised, North American firms that focus on cleantech raised over $600 million.
- Of the $3.9 billion invested in cleantech companies, energy-related investing accounted for more than $3 billion.
- Energy generation brought in $2.1 billion of the cleantech total.
- Investment into solar companies in Europe and North America reached $452 million.
- Biofuels companies attracted $840 million.
- Follow-on investments received 84 percent of all cleantech venture investments, and accounted for 60 percent of the 326 deals in 2006.
- There were 53 IPOs by cleantech companies in 2006. London’s AIM led the exchanges with 21 IPOs. Nasdaq floated 10 cleantech IPOs and Frankfurt, eight.
