Twenty UK clean techs on US trade mission

Senior executives from 20 UK clean tech companies will be heading to Silicon Valley on 20 February for a week-long trade mission led by the Technology Strategy Board, a Government quango.

The aim of the 'Clean and Cool Mission 2010' is to allow the businesses to meet potential investors and partners, policy and finance experts and media and learn how US high-tech companies have successfully approached emerging international markets.

Access to investors is the big draw for Gareth Taylor, chief executive of Evince Technology, one of the 20 participants, who hopes to raise up to £10 million over two rounds of investment.

"We find the capital markets in the UK and Europe are very risk adverse," Taylor told Businessgreen. "US investors have a different approach: the European approach is to raise a little and make do, whereas in the US they tend to raise a lot and make it happen."

Evince makes diamond-based power transistors used to switch mega-Volt level currents, making it suitable for controlling industrial-sized electrical motors and grid distribution systems.

"The US grid is a big opportunity for Evince and [the Clean and Cool mission] will help raise our profile in the US," added Taylor.

The 19 other participants are AMEE, Aquamarine Power, Artemis Intelligent Power, Breathing Buildings, Diverse Energy, DIY Kyoto, EVO Electric, HydroVenturi, Integrated Environmental Solutions, Intelligent Energy, Isentropic, Juice Technology, Metalysis, Microsharp, ModCell, Nexeon, Oxford Catalysts Group, PassivSystems and Xeros. They were selected from 150 applicants.

As well as the Technology Strategy Board, the mission is organised by two other Government-related bodies - UK Trade and Investment and Enterprise UK - market intelligence firm Polecat, and consultancy-cum-incubator Volans. It is funded by global law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, renewable energy conglomerate BP Alternative Energy and events organiser Cleantech Group.

The visit will coincide with the Cleantech Forum in San Fransisco.

“Clean technology is already one of the world’s fastest growing markets. UK businesses in this field need to expand and thrive enough now to be able to keep a firm foothold in this market in the future,” said John Elkington, founding partner and executive chairman of Volans.