Greenbang's Top New Clean-Tech Firms

The website Greenbang, has published a report, in conjunction with in collaboration with Bath University's Innovation Centre and communications consultancy Hill & Knowlton, detailing the best new companies in the clean technology - 'clean-tech' - sector. The firms concerned span from sector to sector; construction, ICT, energy, and transport to name but a few. Upon surveying the companies, the report found "inspiring designs, technologies, business models" and, furthermore, that Britain has "some incredible up-and-coming businesses."

The report also argues that while many companies have succeeded in attracting capital to support its initial venture, securing additional investment needed to get to advance the development of the business is a greater challenge. However, it is suggested that the solution is extra support from the government, to give encouragement and incentives to potential investors by creating longer-term policies to reduce political and financial uncertainty.

Assuming that infinite funds are available for clean-tech start-ups in the UK would be a big mistake; they remain as difficult as ever to attract. Cautious and risk-averse UK investors take a more measured approach than their US counterparts, who have more of a tendency is to back new businesses earlier, with less scrutinisation, and with larger amounts of capital. Moreover, most investors in today's recession want to invest with a sure-fire return, so any doubts they may have about the clean-tech sector's longevity may be further exaggerated.

Whilst there is a future for these aspiring clean-tech companies, the current climate will make it an uphill struggle, and Greenbang's suggestion of regulatory support seems vital. The government's recognition that smart displays have an important role to play in advocating energy efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions to stay on track to meet Kyoto targets would almost certainly give an important boost in growth to this significant infant sector of the economy.