Erik Straser believes we are in the early stage of a huge wave of transformation in industrial technology created by soaring global demand for energy and materials and the practical limits of conventional supply solutions. “Savvy entrepreneurs realize that for the first time that the world’s largest markets are at tipping points,” says Erik.

His investment focus is on technology-driven companies that can bring new supply or efficiency to the industrial markets.  “Governments, industry and consumers alike are becoming much more aware of the explicit and implicit costs of energy and materials,” says Erik.  His primary investment interest is in the electricity value chain, looking for new solutions for the generation, management, and consumption of electricity.  Erik is also interested in breakthrough opportunities in industrial processes.
 

In 2004, he started the Cleantech initiative at Mohr Davidow after building and honing the investment thesis and strategy.  “It was a unique opportunity to pioneer in a new area with experienced entrepreneurs,” says Erik. 

“Working together, we bring complementary skills and experiences to our entrepreneurs,” he adds.  In Cleantech, that means offering entrepreneurs specific capabilities not only in early stage team and product development but also in navigating government policy and accessing downstream capital.  “We are strong believers in a capital light strategy, but we also recognize that meaningful capital is required to bring most opportunities to commercial scale.".

Prior to joining Mohr Davidow in 1998, Erik worked at Interval Research Corporation and was a technical staff member at Los Alamos National Lab.