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Powering the Planet
Powering the Planet

MDV fundamentally believes technology innovation will profoundly impact how we create, manage and distribute energy and resources of all kinds. Global demand — from businesses as well as homes — is increasing exponentially, from energy storage to computer devices, fuel for transportation, to power for industrial plants. Also critical is improving clean water distribution and addressing urbanization. Accomplishing these goals is one of the great challenges facing the planet.

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ZeaChem Inc. has developed a cellulose-based biorefinery platform capable of producing third-generation fuels and intermediate chemicals. ZeaChem's indirect approach leapfrogs the yield and carbon dioxide (CO2) problems associated with traditional and cellulosic based biorefinery processes. In addition, ZeaChem has a significant capital cost advantage compared to other cellulosic technologies. By efficiently extracting the most energy possible from biomass feedstocks, ZeaChem significantly increases output while reducing both production costs and environmental impacts. Founded in 2002.

www.zeachem.com

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Nanosolar is a global leader in solar power innovation. Nanosolar's solar electricity panels deliver unparalleled cost efficiency, enabling customers to use green power without paying more. Founded in 2002.

www.nanosolar.com

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Recurrent Energy is a distributed power company and a leading provider of solar electricity to utilities, government, and commercial customers. The company is adapting traditional energy finance and business models to reinvent the business of distributed generation. By investing in a fleet of 2MW-20MW solar power plants sited close to load centers, Recurrent Energy is helping to meet rising energy demand with clean power plants located right where they're needed most.

www.recurrentenergy.com

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Simbol Mining Corp. is focused on the production of lithium and other commodity metals using clean, zero waste production processes from brines and effluent streams. Based on that proprietary cleantech process, the company aims to become the leading provider of lithium carbonate, a key component of batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage technology.

www.simbolmining.com

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Commercialized out of the pioneering biofuels research at Iowa State University, Catilin is transforming the biodiesel production process through the introduction of an easily recoverable, recyclable and heterogeneous solid catalyst. Founded 2007.

www.catilin.com

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Hycrete enables the construction community to save time, money, and the environment through innovative waterproofing solutions. Integrating our proprietary technology ensures greater durability and structural service life while advancing the concrete industry through environmentally intelligent solutions. Hycrete, Inc. seeks to be the leading provider of sustainable concrete materials and solutions for green buildings.

www.hycrete.com

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Laurus Energy is the North American leader in Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) project development. The company's proprietary UCG process coverts un-mineable coal reserves to syngas, providing cleaner, lower-cost energy to power plants as well as meeting other natural gas needs. The company is headquartered in Houston and also has operations in Alberta, Canada.

www.laurusenergy.com

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Genomatica is focused on producing sustainable chemicals. Genomatica is revolutionizing the chemical industry with groundbreaking technologies that sustainably transform chemical production processes through bio-manufacturing. Founded in 2000 by research scientists from the University of California at San Diego, Genomatica develops a broad range of biologically produced industrial chemicals from a variety of renewable feedstocks at a fraction of the cost.

www.genomatica.com

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OPX Biotechnologies enables renewable fuels and chemicals that are economically and environmentally superior to petroleum-based products. The company uses a pioneering technology platform known as SCALEs to enable massively parallel full genome search and modification to rapidly optimize the microbes used for producing biofuels and biorefined chemicals. Founded 2007.

www.opxbiotechnologies.com

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Gordon Murray Design aims to be the world leader in automotive design and reverses the current industry trend for sub-contracting by having a complete in-house capability for design, prototyping and development. The company is focused on delivering efficient and breakthrough automotive programs with a multi-skilled team that has worked together on leading design and engineering projects that range from Formula One to city cars. Founded in 2007

www.gordonmurraydesign.com

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Energy Innovations is developing the world's first mass-produced rooftop photovoltaic tracking concentrator system, called the Sunflower, designed to bring the cost of solar below that of utility-supplied electricity. Founded in 2000.

www.energyinnovations.com

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See more portfolio companies.

Who Should I Contact?
See our Submitting A Plan section for details on sending us your business plan. Then review our Team section to determine the most appropriate partner to receive your information.

Affiliations

NVCA

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Cleantech Group

Cleantech Open

See more Affiliations.

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News

Reuters, February 2, 2010
Recurrent Energy, California utility in solar pact

Los Angeles Times, February 2, 2010
Southern California Edison signs solar deal with Recurrent Energy

Biomass Magazine, February 2, 2010
ZeaChem hits industrial-level fermentation goals

Planet Green, January 27, 2010
San Francisco teams up with Recurrent Energy to produce one the largest solar panel projects in the US

See more MDV/Portfolio Company Coverage.

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Speaking engagements

February 23, 2010
Will Coleman
Cleantech Institute
Panel: Innovation and Economics
Location: Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

March 24, 2010
Geoffrey Moore
University of San Francisco International Business Plan Competition
Location: San Francisco, CA

See more MDV Speaking Engagements.

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