Event
Description
Cleantech in Asia: Finding Sustainable Business Models
The Cleantech industry is growing at an unprecedented pace with global investment doubling in 2008 to $8 billion thanks to favorable government policies and record-high energy prices. But, with energy prices plunging and a global recession looming, are current Cleantech business models sustainable in Asia?
This panel brings together Asian experts to explore this question, looking through the lens of consumers, utilities, and financiers: - Are consumers ready to embrace Cleantech in Asia? - How do businesses view the investment climate, given the economic uncertainty? - What policies are needed to ensure the sustainable businesses in Cleantech? - How will business models differ from U.S. & European companies in Cleantech? - What opportunities does Asia hold for Cleantech firms?
Speakers
Michael GranoffHead of Oil Independence Policies, Better PlaceMichael Granoff has been Head of Oil Independence Policies for Better Place since its 2007 founding. In that capacity Mr. Granoff helps stakeholders to calibrate policies consistent with the Better Place approach to ending the corrosive effect of oil dependence on economy, environment and security. Stakeholders Mr. Granoff works with include governments on every level, industry and current and future Better Place partners. Mr. Granoff is founder of Maniv Energy Capital, a New York-based investment group which became the first investor in Better Place. Maniv Energy has several other interests in the alternative energy and clean technology space, and was instrumental in the founding of Israel Cleantech Ventures, the first venture fund in Israel with an exclusive focus on the cleantech space. In 2004, Mr. Granoff became a founding board member of Securing America’s Future Energy, a Washington, DC-based group which works with corporate and retired military leaders to advocate for policies which contribute to the energy security of the United States. Previous to Maniv Energy, Mr. Granoff was founder of Maniv Bioventures, a $20 million fund which invested in 10 early-stage life science companies. Politically active for two decades, Mr. Granoff served in two presidential campaigns and several political organizations, and has served on the boards of a half-dozen non-profit institutions. Mr. Granoff holds a BA from Tufts University, an MBA from Kellogg School of Management and a JD from Northwestern School of Law. He is an avid marathon runner, and together with his wife has four young children.
Akio KoikeManager, Tokyo Electric Power CompanyAssociate, Program on U.S.-Japan Relations, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University / Manager, Office of Efficient Use of Energy, Marketing & Sales Division, Tokyo Electric Power Co. After receiving his B.A. in law from the University of Tokyo, Koike joined Tokyo Electric Power Co., where he has held positions in the Marketing and Sales, Corporate Planning, and Power Purchase and Contract Departments. Most recently, Koike was manager of the Office of Efficient Use of Energy in the Marketing and Sales Division, and worked to promote the highly efficient use of energy with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Xiaomin MouInvestment Officer, International Finance CorpXiaomin Mou is an Investment Officer at the International Finance Corporation's Global Information and Communication Technology Group with a focus on venture capital investments in mid-stage technology companies in China, including cleantech. She manages a portfolio of technology companies in China ranging from software development, business continuity/disaster recovery, to Photonic Integrated Circuit design. Prior to joining the IFC, Xiaomin was a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group's Technology Practice Group in the Munich. Xiaomin holds a Ph.D., M.Eng, and B.S. in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Amy ChengManaging Director, Head of Metal and Mining, Bank of China InternationalMs. Cheng has more than 15 years experience in corporate financing, investment and investment banking industry. Prior to joining Bank of China International, Ms. Cheng held several executive positions in various institutions including large energy and power investment group, trust company, fund management company and investment bank firm.
Henry Lee (Moderator)Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy SchoolHenry Lee is Lecturer in Public Policy, the Jassim M. Jaidah Family Director of the Environment and Natural Resources Program within the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, cochair of the Kennedy School's Program on Infrastructure in a Market Economy, and coprincipal investigator of the Energy, Technology, and Policy Project. Before joining the school, Lee spent nine years in Massachusetts state government as Director of the state's Energy Office and Special Assistant to the Governor for Environmental Policy. He has served on numerous state, federal, and private advisory committees and boards focusing on both energy and environmental issues and spent 12 years working with power developers in the United States and East Asia. His recent research interests focus on environmental management, energy policy, global climate change, geopolitics of oil and gas, and public infrastructure projects in developing countries. He has recently written several articles on China's oil strategies.
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