Four Trends In Green Technology And Venture Investment • SketchFestNYC

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General partner and CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures , chairman of Startup World Cup. (アニス・ウッザマン).

As the world grapples with climate change and rising energy prices, clean technology is more important than ever. Entrepreneurs will benefit if they come up with clean technology business ideas to meet the growing market demand. Investors are paying more attention to the renewable energy sector to improve the world through positive financial returns. Let's take a look at the latest trends in green technology and related venture capital investments.

Green investment. stronger than ever

While eco-friendly solutions such as electric and solar-powered cars were once considered marginal, they are now mainstream as we work together to combat climate change. The Climate Tech 2020 report published by PwC says that business investment in carbon solutions reached $418 million in 2013. According to the 2021 Climate Technology Report, this number rose to $16.1 billion in 2019, and then $87.5 billion was invested in climate technology from 2020 to July 2021. This sector is expanding through carbon sequestration, agriculture, food waste, renewable energy and decarbonisation. The built environment. The report shows that 14 cents of every dollar invested goes to climate technology.

Growth of green energy

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable energy is on track to set another world record in 2022, despite obstacles including supply chain disruption and high costs. Power from wind, solar and other renewable energy sources has grown significantly as businesses and governments see their climate benefits. Reducing the cost of producing sustainable energy is also driving mass adoption. Although there are new technologies that will take longer to become mainstream, I predict that 2023 will see significant technological advances.

Corporate trends

Corporations have developed their corporate responsibility initiatives to focus more on sustainability. For example, Google claims that Google Maps' Eco-Route feature has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 500,000 metric tons. Its approach to climate change includes helping consumers choose the best solutions, decarbonizing operations and supply chains, and using its technology to help businesses and cities determine their carbon footprint.

At the same time, Apple has become carbon neutral and is working to achieve carbon neutral production by 2030. That means encouraging suppliers to use clean energy and focusing on the Power for Impact program to help bring clean energy to communities around the world. Intel Corporation has committed to zero greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 2040. The company is also working towards goals for clean water, zero landfill and 100% renewable electricity.

I expect that green technology collaboration between corporations and start-ups, as well as financial investment, will become more widespread. Corporations are now realizing that we cannot cool the world by reducing emissions alone. We need to remove carbon from the atmosphere. The UN climate report says it is necessary. The Frontier Partnership, which consists of Stripe, Alphabet, Shopify, Meta and McKinsey, has invested $925 million in five startups offering carbon offsets (CDR). Another group, the Pioneer Coalition, which includes Microsoft, Alphabet and Salesforce, has pledged $500 million to phase out CDR by 2030.

Startup innovation

Several successful startups are innovating in the space, particularly in carbon removal. Brilliant Planet uses algae as an affordable, large-scale carbon sequestration solution. A company in London grows microalgae in open ponds of desert soil, diluting them without using fresh water. Brilliant Planet has built a 30,000 square meter manufacturing facility and the world's largest algae pond in Morocco, ensuring its continued growth.

ClimWorks uses direct air capture technology to capture carbon dioxide directly from the air. This carbon is stored underground forever, so it will never contribute to climate change again. Anyone can buy or donate Climate on its website; More than 16,000 people in 56 countries took part. The Blue Planet system also aims to focus on carbon sequestration, carbon dioxide mineralization and its storage in the built environment. This helps offset the negative impact of concrete, which is responsible for 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions.

I have no doubt that startup innovation will grow in various cleantech solutions. More companies and governments are interested in electric and hydrogen cars, and some states have already banned gasoline cars in the future. Solar and wind technology is advancing, and more and more attention is being paid to efficient and cost-effective renewable energy sources. Storage of renewable energy is important, making battery innovation an important area of future research.

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Investments in green technology and venture capital show no signs of slowing down, so now is the time for startups, corporations and investors to capitalize on the industry's success. It is still difficult to predict which elements of green technology will become most important as we move forward, so caution is more important than ever. Hopefully, by working together, startups, corporations and investors will work together to find the innovative solutions our world needs more than ever.

The information presented here is not investment, tax or financial advice. You should consult a licensed professional for advice regarding your specific situation.

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