Corporate investment could improve climate-tech innovation

Corporate investments in climate-tech start-ups are a growing but overlooked aspect of energy innovation. According to a new report from Morgan Edwards, a professor at the La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and her lead co-author at University of Maryland, these investments should be more fully considered as methods to advance climate technology. The report was published in the journal Joule on March 17.

Start-up companies have the potential to rapidly commercialize innovation, but they don’t always have the resources to make such ventures successful. Corporations, on the other hand, tend to have the resources that start-ups lack, like access to global markets and supply chains, manufacturing facilities and experience across the energy system...

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Ken Notes: Good read and interesting, but can I point out companies are a little shy when it comes to the environment because it is an area where you can be penalized for doing good. Leed certification is a prime example, it can be very expensive to qualify for certification and you can be penalized for opting out of a technology like waterless urinals. It can also price a building for lease out of the market. Finally extremely efficient buildings, low E, LED, Heat Pumps, GEO thermal, Air filtration, Foam Insulation, Recycled Materials and more are often not even on the list.