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June 11, 2008

Scientists in lab This NewsHour video report looks at the surge in venture capital investment in green eco-friendly technologies and the challenges companies face to obtain enough capital to develop into viable profitable businesses.

These businesses include a company that is creating an oil from algae that they hope will be used to power cars, trucks and other diesel engines, as well as one creating thermal solar power. Venture capitalists see biofuel businesses like these as risky but potentially very profitable investments. Others think more capital is needed if these new technologies are going to revolutionize our growing energy needs.

QUOTES:
“It’s a massive opportunity. There’s no doubt in my mind, over the next 25 years, how we drive, how we build our houses, how we fly, how we build our buildings will all change.” - Vinod Khosla, venture capitalist “There are a lot of great ideas by a lot of great visionaries, and they cannot find the capital to get their ideas off the ground. The venture capitalists are now looking to invest in the winners that they made investments in already rather than seeding new companies to get off the ground.” - Adeo Ressi, TheFunded.com

WARM-UP QUESTIONS: What are renewable sources of energy? Why are they important? If you had an idea for a new product or service, how would you get enough money to start a new business?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: What are some of the green technologies described in the report? Do you think any of these are viable? Why or why not? What are the incentives to make new products environmentally responsible? How do they compare to the incentive to make things as cheaply as possible?
Compare the role of venture capitalists to the role of the government in providing start-up money to these new companies. Is one better than the other? Why or why not? How do you think housing and transportation will be different 25 years from now?

RESOURCES:

The transcript of this report

Student Voice: The Illusion of a Clean Future with Ethanol

In-depth Coverage: Alternative Fuels

In-depth Coverage: Technology Science Reports

Lesson Plan: Alternative Fuels and Choosing a Car

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