Global Cleantech 100 unveils most promising clean technology companies

The Guardian and environement research and advisory services Cleantech Group, LLC, have announced the Global Cleantech 100 -- the first ever list of this scale highlighting the most promising private clean technology companies around the world.

Supported by the Carbon Trust, the Global Cleantech 100 recognises companies at the forefront of cleantech innovation offering solutions to some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges.

The final list represents the collective opinion of hundreds of leading experts from cleantech innovation and venture capital companies in EMEA, North America, India and China.

Also considered were the specific inputs of an expert panel of 35, drawn from well-respected organisations such as Altira Group, Crossover Advisors, Deloitte, Emerald Technology Ventures, Google, Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers, New York Stock Exchange, NGEN Partners, Nth Power, New Enterprise Associates, Sterling Communications, Tsing Capital and Vantage Point Venture Partners.

The panel decided on companies that are currently regarded as having the potential and likelihood to achieve high growth and high market impact. Their thoughts were then combined with insights from the Cleantech NetworkT, the de facto industry association of international clean technology investors, entrepreneurs, large corporations and other industry insiders. Some 3,500 companies were nominated/considered.

"The first ever Global Cleantech 100 shines a spotlight on which companies and which technology areas the global innovation community is currently most excited about, from a commercial standpoint," said Richard Youngman, managing partner at Cleantech Group.

"Although none of these firms are exactly household names, their innovations and the business acumen of their leaders and investors mean that they are likely to have high impact on our future," he added.

Companies in energy sectors dominate the global list, with 74 of the final 100 focused on energy generation, efficiency, storage and infrastructure. Diminishing oil and gas reserves, fluctuating market prices and rising global demand for power have focused efforts on new, more efficient methods of creating and providing energy, and saving and storing it.

More than half (56) of the companies listed on the Global Cleantech 100 are headquartered in North America, while European firms make up a further 36 per cent. Five firms are based in Israel and three in India.

"The list is, both sectorally and geographically, broadly reflective of the cleantech innovation landscape today, and the cultural heritage of company-building, entrepreneurism, and venture capital," continued Youngman.

"While China has no companies on the 2009 list, China's importance and leadership in this area should not be understated, nor should the evident rise in entrepreneurism and company-building in that region," he added.

The Cleantech Group pioneered the clean technology investment category in 2002. The Cleantech Group also provides advisory services for large corporations and governments, publishes cleantech sector industry news coverage and produces the Cleantech Forum events worldwide.