To Boost CleanTech, Tony Blair Joins Khosla Ventures

A Silicon Valley venture capital firm Khosla Ventures, specializing in environmentally-friendly technologies, announced this week that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has joined its ranks, to help its broad portfolio of clean technology companies maximize their effectiveness in achieving their environmental goals.

Britain’s Tony Blair teams with green investment group

Report in The Age (25 May 2010):

A Silicon Valley venture capital firm specializing in environmentally-friendly technologies announced this week that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has joined its ranks.

Khosla Ventures said Blair “will leverage his advocacy for environmental issues and his global relationships to help Khosla’s broad portfolio of clean technology companies maximize their effectiveness in achieving their environmental goals.”

Established in 2004 by Sun Microsystems co-founder Vinod Khosla, the venture firm claims an extensive portfolio that includes solar, wind, and nuclear energy along with high-efficiency engines.

Khosla also backs startups in technology sectors such as mobile and Internet.

“Solving the climate crisis is more than just a political agenda item – it’s an urgent priority that requires innovation, creativity, and ambition,” Blair said in a release.

“I share a clear vision with Vinod, one of the earliest leaders in cleantech investment, that entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and beyond will have a tremendous impact on our environmental future.”

Blair will provide strategic advice regarding investments in environmentally friendly or helpful technologies, according to Khosla.

Blair has been a champion of the environment and leads a Breaking the Climate Deadlock initiative aimed at getting countries worldwide to work together to combat climate change.

“I have always admired Mr. Blair’s early and consistent commitment to addressing climate change,” Khosla said.

“His goals align so well with our own mission to support disruptive startups in the cleantech space and to find technology solutions that can achieve unsubsidized market competitiveness for green technologies.”

Blair on Monday was taking part in a Khosla Ventures summit which was to feature a presentation by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

Source: www.news.theage.com.au