November 7, 2011 - CleanEdge - Some business and economic opportunities only come along generationally - a handful of times in a century. Like the harnessing of electricity, the development of railways, or the invention of the telephone, clean tech is a generational opportunity.

This Grant Thornton white paper,Cleantech on the rise: Generational opportunities for 21st-century business, focuses on four of the most critical areas in which these companies must excel:

• Managing unknowns: The gap between governmental policy statements and practical, commercial applications of those policies is vast and fraught with uncertainty. Success in cleantech requires developing solutions that take into consideration government policy but that don't rely heavily on public sources of funding or other forms of governmental support.
  
• Leadership: Companies will need to assemble astute executive teams, managers, boards and advisers, who are proficient in their specialty areas, flexible enough to capitalize on shifting opportunities and committed for the long term.
  
• Global operations: Decisions regarding investment capital, facilities location, talent recruitment, R&D operations and customer access frequently require international strategy and perspective. Yet operating globally means working with teams or people who have deep, thorough knowledge of local markets.
  
• Sustained focus: Cleantech leaders must keep their eyes on the prize: Developing and commercializing core technologies.

Without clean-energy sources, the world can barely sustain current demand for energy, let alone meet growing requirements. Every major global economy is developing governmental policies to ensure that clean energy comprises a significant portion of its energy portfolio by 2030.

Germany is a leading example of a nation pursuing clean-energy innovation, production, and deployment. Robust subsidies have fueled major commercial activity and enterprise. But governmental policy rarely delivers all that it promises.

MUST-DOs FOR CLEANTECH SUCCESS

• Ensure that you have a distinctive, value-added offering.
• Engage market researchers and other advisers to test global proof-of-concept.
• Enlist talent (board members, senior management, external consultants, etc.) to enable the commercialization of the offering.
• Hire global talent to finance and operationalize your product or service.
• Secure global expertise - internally or externally - to stay abreast of international cleantech policy.
• Join international, regional and national associations that specialize in cleantech.
• Attend international, regional and national conferences on cleantech

Cleantech on the rise: Generational opportunities for 21st-century businesses brings together the experience of Grant Thornton International Ltd member firms around the world into a compelling white paper rich with industry research; analysis of international government policy; a discussion of global investment trends; and on-the-ground viewpoints from professionals in theUK, China, India, Israel, and theUnited States.

"For cleantech companies to capitalize on emerging, generational opportunities, they must be managed by teams that are sophisticated about marketing and able to articulate the nature of their business, given the shifting sands of today's economic climate. They must be globally attuned and technologically proficient."

The white paper explores three major themes:

*     Government commitments to clean tech for meeting long-term needs

*     The gap between governmental policy statements and practical commercial applications

*     Success is in the hands of corporate leaders who can develop and commercialize solutions with keen awareness of government policy but without undue reliance on public sources of funding or other forms of governmental support.

WHAT'S A CLEANTECH COMPANY TO DO?

To position themselves for success, cleantech businesses should consider how to:

• clearly articulate their position in the value chain and structure their operations accordingly;
• locate manufacturing facilities in countries with lower production costs and within close proximity to end users;
• prioritize markets with high levels of governmental support (such as business development incentives or end-user subsidies);
• establish firm, international protections for IP;
• secure external counsel for critical global business development; and
• develop and manage R&D activities from a global perspective.

For investors, inventors, and business leaders and visionaries who see clean tech as a generational opportunity, this white paper is a must-read.

Read the full report