Silicon Valley is serious about addressing some of the world’s hardest problems. “Cleantech”-investments amounted to $4 billion USD five years ago – we’re on track for a record breaking $25 billion USD in 2021!

Many speak of a Cleantech 2.0 era with private and public funding poured into areas like fuel cell technologies, EV charging systems, solar energy, and cleantech finance. VCs across the board invest several billions of dollars into early stage companies applying emerging technologies to help create and maintain a sustainable future.

The state of California offers $150,000 to entrepreneurs working on sustainable technologies (application window is from Aug 12-Sep 5). Follow-on grants of up to $450,000 can be applied for – this is very early stage funding.

Furthermore, Stanford University announced achieving having gone 100% solar electricity by next year. It’s been a goal for 10 years and now they are soon done. It would be the first major U.S. university to be powered entirely by renewable energy sources… and the school also plans to eliminate all of its greenhouse gas emissions in the next decade.

We all know that the challenges are urgent and steep, but there is no other way from where we are to a more sustainable way of living. I celebrate all glimmer of hope and am encouraged to see this level of determination.

#renewableenergy#energy#solar#innovation#stanforduniversity#cleantech#climatechange