Brightsource Energy Video

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Following is a video describing breakthrough of achieving 550 degrees Celcius at 140 bar of pressure

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Is this for Real? Israelis Invent New Cleantech Fuel System

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Watch out Shai Agassi of Project Better Place. Moshe Lerner and his crew are claiming a major breakthrough in Cleantech Fuel Systems that could render Agassi’s Project irrelevant. Is this too good to be true? Check it out for yourselves at Infolive.tv. It seems that anything claiming to be Cleantech will get media attention these days. While I doubt Mr Lerner has the marketing expertise to generate the kind of interest and support Agassi has garnered from the public and investors, it makes one wonder whether the better, cleaner, cheaper technology will take over fossil fuels or will it be the guys with the most money, business and marketing savy and guts to make things happen? I’ve noticed there’s alot of talk about how the Europeans and the Saudis are out pacing the US, however I think this is more of a marathon run. The American’s usually come out on top when it comes to commercial and marketing prowess. Regardless of who wins this is going to be an exciting race for a long time.

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Investment in Israel’s Pythagoras Solar Marks Turning Point for Cleantech

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Over the past twelve months there have been several Israeli Cleantech deals, however the recent $10M investment in Israel’s Pythagros Solar marks a landmark in the Israeli Cleantech investment arena. Several characteristics of this investment and company are indications of this:

1. Size: The size of the deal is significant enough to demonstrate a major commitment of local VCs to Cleantech. Some of Israel’s leading VC firms are involved in this investment, including Israel Cleantech Ventures, Pitango Venture Capital and Evergreen Venture Partners.

2. Management: The management team is made up of experienced entrepreneurs from leading Israeli hi-tech companies, like Checkpoint Software Technologies Ltd.

3. Technology: The science on which the company’s technology is based has received international recognition from Scientific American as one of the top 50 most significant science breakthroughs in 2007.

4. Multi-disciplinary approach: The company seems to be taking an integrated approach, combining various disciplines such as optic design, semiconductor processes, materials science, and mass manufacturing techniques to come up with a solution rather than one product.

With energy crises riddling the world from South Africa and Brazil to Europe and the US, there are many opportunities for companies such as Pythagoras Solar and Infinia Corporation - who recently raised $50M - to achieve massive scale.

The word out on the street is unclear: some say solar is over crowded and valuations are sky high,while others say that solar is the one area that has been historically under-invested and has the most potential for major gains in efficiency and to compete with conventional energy sources, so that the current valuations are still quite reasonable. Time will only tell who is right.

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Water Is The Way To Go

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With all the hype about Cleantech lately its not easy to separate hot air from real stuff. Neverthless the search for solving some of the world’s most pressing issues will ensure Cleantech is not simply a passing fad but rather a sustainable investment theme. As in any game it will be those people with the knoweldge, experience and skill set who will come out in front. Israel has missed the clean energy wave or will at least need to play catch up with its European, Chinese and North American competitors.

However the water sector is another story. Israel has had a 50 year head start on the rest of the world. The recent high level delegation of Israel’s leading water industry experts to Australia proved that Israel truly can add value and assist the global community in managing their water problems.  As always the winners will have to keep their eye on the ball, ensure business fundamentals are there and persevere. Good luck to us all!

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$2,225m of Capital Flowed into Clean Energy

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Recent figures released by New Energy Finance are quite remarkable. $2,225m of venture capital and private equity flowed into the clean energy industry worldwide in the three months of 2007. The press release is full of interesting facts on alternative energy deal flow. No mention of Israeli deals. Israel should be leading this sector as it has the most to gain (security, political and environmental). Israel should become the first country to achieve 100% energy independence.

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Maintaining Israel’s Competitive Advantage

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The topic of maintaining Israel’s competitive advantage is constantly “top of mind” for me. During the Pesach break I’ve had more time than usual to think about this topic. The common approach for people who comment on competitive advantage is to focus on Israel’s technological advantage and need for massive investment in technology based start ups in order to ensure that Israel maintains its edge. (See this presentation on The Benefits of VC on Israel’s Economy)

However I believe that as in any society, the foundations for innovation are not in well funded organizational structures. In fact as Israel has demonstrated, financial stability is by no means a key ingredient for innovation. Israel has succeeded despite lack of financial support. I humbly propose that its our unique social structure that has allowed us to produce tremendous technological innovations. Lev Leviev commented on this topic several months ago and pointed to the need to invest in Jewish education since Jewish education has been Israeli society’s key ingredient for thousands of years and has ensured the moral fiber, national vision and intellectual foundation for generations of Israelis to succeed regardless of the circumstances.

Policy makers of Israel should head the words of one of Israel’s finest business personalities. Leviev is deeply routed in Jewish tradition and education and understands the unique ingredients such an education provides our new generation. I am always amazed that so many of the successful business people I meet on a daily basis concur with these thoughts. So many successful Israeli business people refer to their Jewish upbringing subconsciously and regardless of their level of observance.

Money is everywhere! Technology is everywhere! Only in Israel are there all the ingredients for a full Jewish education. This is our competitive edge and we should view it as such.

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