This week Silicon Valley based Khosla Ventures, a group of venture capitalists welcomed the newest member to their team of green tech investors, Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
With over 1.1 billion invested in tech firms that not only include clean technology, the venture group announced the addition of Blair as a senior advisor at their summit for limited partners in Sausalito, California. As a new advisor Blair will advises Khosla portfolios on public policy.
Khosla continued investing in clean tech companies over the last few years, while total investment capital fell to $2.3 billion in 2009 from $4.1 billion in 2008, according to the National Venture Capital Association.
Blair brings to the table his involvement in the leadership of “Breaking the Climate Deadlock” effort, an endeavor to raise awareness and build consensus towards an international climate policy.
Whether or not you are a climate change skeptic or believer, this group is focused on technology, not just to address emissions, but to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create new innovative technologies and jobs. Silicon Valley is known for it’s creative, ambitions and innovative start-ups of the 90’s, and I would love to see an infusion of cash pumped into new and emerging companies that can design and create new and inspiring products for intelligent, sustainable and smart design. With investments in green tech, we can compete on a global scale in new manufacturing opportunities, retool existing facilities and employ a displaced workforce to create a new tech revolution.
Khosla is one venture capitalist firm. Hopefully others will follow suit and move our economy forward with an infusion of funding that is not available from the banking industry for small businesses and start-ups.
