The Grass is "Greener"

Israel Cleantech Tour to Silicon Valley + Water Industry Business Models Panel

Today the CICC has announced their selection of the 10 Israeli companies that will present at the upcoming Cleantech tour in the valley later this month. Its a great list, and I'm looking forward to see how these players have progressed in the market. 

Also, during this event (on the 27th April) I'll be moderating a panel on the topic of: "Water Industry Business Models – Creating Platforms for Growth in the Industry ".

The panelist will include:

• Peter Williams, Chief Technology Officer, Big Green Innovations, IBM
• Christopher Spain, Chairman & Chief Strategy Officer, HydroPoint Data Systems, and
• Ken Epstein, Principal at NewCap Partners, Inc., Advisor to Mobius Water (China/Middle East) and former Dow Executive in Corporate Ventures 

This should be a great discussion.

Israel Cleantech Tour 2010

I'm currently helping the California Israel Chamber of Commerce finalize this year's "Israel Cleantech Tour Event".

On the 27th of April there will be a day long showcase of Israeli companies involved with clean energy / water, along with some very interesting speakers from the industry.

If you're interested in the sector, its a great opportunity to learn more about the industry and activities, and meet with people in the industry. Registration is possible here. 

That afternoon, I'll be moderating a panel titled "Water Industry Business Models – Creating Platforms for Growth in the Industry". We've got some great speakers lined up, and I'm looking forward to a very interesting discussion.

TED Talks: Shai Agassi's vision for Better Place

Always great to watch Shai talk about his vision:

 

Technorati Tags: Shai Agassi,TED,Electric Car

Overtaking the US Auto Industry - Automobile 2.0

A very interesting column in the NYT today by Tom Friedman on how a venture like Project Better Place out of Tel Aviv can overtake the US Auto industry.

Some key quotes:

"Someone in the mobility business in Denmark and Tel Aviv is already developing a real-world alternative to Detroit’s business model...

...our bailout of Detroit will be remembered as the equivalent of pouring billions of dollars of taxpayer money into the mail-order-catalogue business on the eve of the birth of eBay. It will be remembered as pouring billions of dollars into the CD music business on the eve of the birth of the iPod and iTunes...

...What I find exciting about Better Place is that it is building a car company off the new industrial platform of the 21st century, not the one from the 20th — the exact same way that Steve Jobs did to overturn the music business."

Technorati Tags: Project Better Place,Shai Agassi,Detroit,Bailout

Making Australia a (Project) Better Place

After Israel, Denmark, and talks with Portugal and San Francisco, it now seems that Shai Agassi's Better Place is looking to take the electric fuelling infrastructure to Australia "an island that is the sixth largest country on Earth"

The company announced today a deal to set up a $660 million network in Australia, through partnership with two key groups - AGL Energy and Macquarie

This is a significant move, that will help prove the company's ability to scale its business well beyond small markets, and create one of the largest companies to ever come out of Israel. Good to see one person that's not slowing down at all in the current markets

 

 

Technorati Tags: Project Better Place,Shai Agassi,Australia,Launch,AGL Energy,Macquarie

Knesiat Hasechel (Church of Reason) - First US Performance in SF

This weekend I went to a music concert of Knesiat Hasechel - one of Israel's top bands of the last decade, and one of my favourites.

Apparently it was their first performance in the US.

The show was great, so no need to elaborate too much on that.

This was the first time I attended such an (Israeli abroad) event since I left Israel:

• The crowd was almost all Israeli's (not a big surprise). It seemed that most of the Israeli tech industry relocated to the valley was there (with quite a few from the Green tech space this year). So a great opportunity to catch up with the startups, hear who's raising money, who's hiring, (and these days who's firing)
• Most were between 30-45, married (very few were single), living around the valley (not to many inside SF), probably 1-3 young kids at home with a babysitter, just here for a "few" years
• For the first time I realised what a sense of patriotism these events provide to all those who are based out here. Something like Bob Hope going to entertain the troops. Its nice to see, but very sad to be on the receiving end.

My new years resolution will be to see much more local artists perform in Israel (rather than away)

 

Technorati Tags: Knesiat Hasechel,Church of Reason,San Francisco,Israel,relocation

Car Share in Israel

Just read on Green Prophet that an Israeli company is launching a car share service.

Great initiative - given that one of my all time favourite services is the car share service here in San Francisco (which I use almost on a weekly basis). You just show up, take the car, get your stuff done, bring it back. Smile all the way to and from the parking.

If the Israeli service will be anything like it is here, it should be a "no-brainer" success... But knowing there are some "subtle" differences between the Israeli and American driver culture, There are a number of challenges which, based on how addressed, will determine the ultimate success of the venture:

For example:

US: The service includes free gas (assuming a majority of short distance travel this makes sense)

Israel: Israeli's do not want to feel "Fraierim" (Hebrew for Suckers) - If they pay per hour for a car, they will use it to drive - As far as they can (even in a small country I can imagine those that will drive in circles)

US: You get a clean car - You return a clean car

Israel: If you get a clean car, someone must be around to clean up after you when you return it. (This is the case if Israeli beach behaviour is anything to learn from)

US: Respect the road, respect the car

Israel: If the car share will be any similar to the leasing behaviour, you can expect to see the cars parked on high curb sidewalks and travelling on 4X4 trails...

 

But seriously - even though I'm sure all these issues will be addressed within the rental terms and liability... At the end of the day it will be up to the drivers to respect the "public" good and the next driver, in order for the service to be successful.

 

By the way, a great link into the service would be a "Green" Driver monitoring system, that would reward the careful (and Green) driver. (One such company is GreenRoad Technologies, an Israeli provider of driver diagnostics system (...for full disclosure, a company my fund is an investor in)

 

Technorati Tags: Israel,City Car Share,Green Driving,GreenRoad Technologies

MIYA Launches - Forming an Israeli Global Water Platform

MIYA was launched today - This is the Arison Group's $100mn investment vehicle aiming to find solutions for municipalities and utilities concerning water loss management issues.

Seems like another Israeli platform is already gaining speed. With experienced management shifting from the Israeli tech sector into the world of resource efficiency (Booky Oren leads the group, coming from Comverse, and bringing along several colleagues).

The group has a very interesting strategy, with great potential to become a significant player in the space. The PR has further details -

"MIYA estimates that a third of the world's drinking water is lost through leaking pipes, most of which are hidden underground and need to be actively detected and repaired. Recouping the water currently lost is one of the most environmental and cost effective ways to address global water shortages. Reducing these losses by only half, for example, will provide an additional 130 million people with fresh drinking water. MIYA's solution is based on a proven methodology that uses a combination of technologies focused on pressure management, active leakage detection and repair, and selective pipe replacement, rather than massive infrastructure replacement. MIYA also offers flexible business models and financing solutions to address the varying financial needs of its customers. "

Technorati Tags: MIYA,Booky Oren,Arison Group,Water Technology

The story of Project Better Place - and the potential

Wired magazine cover story this month is Shai Agassi's Project Better Place.

Even for those that know the company, this piece provides some great behind the scenes stories, and a glimpse into what may become one of the largest companies of the current renewable energy boom (with $200mn funding, its the fifth-largest startup of all time in less than a year)...

For more on Shai and the project, check out Shai's Blog.

(Unrelated - good choice of shirt in this pic... note my profile pic :)

Technorati Tags: Shai Agassi,Porject Better Place,Electric Car

Promoting Israel - Through Green

This afternoon I was walking down the street in downtown SF with a friend. We happened to be discussing the potential for Israel in Greentech as we looked up to see the following billboard sign:

Quite a coincidence (and a sign from above?). I'm already used to seeing Greentech related to most anything in the US (from home electricity to hamburgers). But to see Greentech PR about Israel - or better yet, Israel PR through Greentech is very innovative - and very refreshing

 

Great innovative thinking from Blue Star PR firm.

 

(BTW - I've seen a few very innovative algae technology companies in Israel. Its a very exciting and challenging space, and Israel has some of the leading experts who are working on taking it to the next stage)

 

Technorati Tags: Israel, Greentech, Biofuel, Algae