$903 million invested in Q1 2007, says Cleantech Group

First quarter 2007 North American and European venture investment in the cleantech category totaled $903 million USD, said the Cleantech Venture Network today.

Q1 2007 venture capital investment represented a 16.5% increase over the $775 million invested in Q4 2006 and a 42% increase over Q1 2006 investment of $634 million, the group said.

For the quarter, North American venture capital investment totaled $731 million, an increase of 19% over Q4 2006 and 42% increase over Q1 2006 investment.

European cleantech venture capital investment totaled $172 million, representing a 6% increase over Q4 2006 and a 43% over Q1 2006.

In North America, energy generation took in $398 million, accounting for about 54% of total venture capital investment. In Europe, $98 million was invested in the energy generation category, garnering 57% of total European cleantech investment.

The Cleantech Venture Network also tracks M&As and IPOs in North America, Europe and China. During Q1 2007, there were 24 worldwide M&A transactions (20 in North America) and 9 IPOs (8 in North America) that the group characterized as cleantech companies.

“The increasing amount of venture investment coupled with M&A and IPO activity globally continues to demonstrate the potential for cleantech returns,” said Nicholas Parker, chairman and co-founder of the Cleantech Group, parent company of the Cleantech Venture Network.

The Cleantech Venture Network is a membership group that catalyzes investment, business opportunities and relationships driving the growth of cleantech globally. The group is credited with popularizing the term cleantech in 2002.

Cleantech developments making news in the past 24 hours

• 'Mittelstand' drives Germany's cleantech boom
• Israel allows first solar power plants

View the last week of cleantech developments here | Subscribe to full feed