Investment Approach

Global Cleantech Capital (GCC) is one of the most experienced private equity teams dedicated to clean energy investment.

GCC invests in emerging value chains where inefficiencies can be exploited in pricing, supply, finance or delivery of clean energy products and services.

We invest growth capital to enable companies to scale against the strong demand for products and services in clean energy generation, energy efficiency and community repowering solutions.

We target high-growth companies across profitable clean energy value chains, offer clear value to end-users with demonstrated revenue, and experienced entrepreneurial management teams.

Investment Perspective

Global Cleantech Capital is an opportunity-driven investor that delivers compelling private equity returns while actively mitigating risk.

We believe the greatest return opportunities lie in the shift to energy that is clean, smart and local.

Clean: Demand for clean energy generation is set to accelerate with the rapid decline in equipment prices and increased public policy mandates.

Smart: More efficient use of energy produced is now recognized as the lowest-cost way to cut carbon emissions and reduce exposure to energy price volatility.

Local: Rising electricity prices, significant transmission losses, environmental concerns and an overburdened grid are driving demand for distributed power produced at or near the point of use.

Team

Dr. Paul Kloppenborg, Partner - CEO of Global Cleantech Capital
Paul Kloppenborg is the CEO of Global Cleantech Capital (GCC) and was formerly CEO of the Entrepreneurs Fund, focused on growth capital investments in mainly the renewable energy sector. Paul has in total 12 years' experience as CEO of a private equity fund primarily focused on growth capital. He has served on the boards of companies in the US, UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Italy and has been an active participant in a number of IPO’s in Germany, Norway and US. During his tenure as a private equity investor Paul has been responsible for the investment decisions in over 60 companies in Europe, US and Canada, and Africa. Earlier in his career, Paul held key senior management positions in companies with a strong business development focus, and was a co‐founder of three successful enterprises.

Jan van Veldhoven, Partner - Finance
Jan van Veldhoven is the Partner of GCC leading Finance. Previously, Jan was the Chief Financial Officer of the Entrepreneurs Fund, where he was responsible for all financial aspects of the fund, in addition to deal assessment and strategy. Over these two funds, Jan has over 9 years of private equity experience in growth capital. Previously, he was Director Investment Planning and Capacity Purchasing at Carrier1, a telecoms company where he held a large variety of operational positions, ranging from project management to line management in planning and implementation within smaller and larger companies mainly in the telecommunications industry.

Christie Franchi, Partner - Strategy
Christie Franchi is a Partner of GCC with over 21 years strategy experience and over 9 years private equity experience. Prior to GCC, Christie was a member of the Entrepreneurs Fund management team and oversaw 20 investee company strategies and assessments and co-developed the solar sector strategy. Christie also built the €120 million annual revenue global Strategic Change consultancy practice at Arthur Andersen focused on the Energy, Financial Services and New Media sectors. Christie’s design work on the future of organizations and environments has been cited in The Financial Times, WSJ, The Independent and featured in the Steelcase video ‘Rethink’, Tomorrow’s Office, The New Office and in interviews on the BBC and CNN.

Joris Vos, Partner - Legal & Tax
Joris Vos is the Partner leading Legal & Tax for Global Cleantech Capital. He has been actively involved in a large number of venture capital and private equity transactions throughout Europe and North America over the past 10 years including negotiating and managing the drafting of legal documentation and setting up a large variety of financial instruments and transaction models, including debt, mezzanine, options and IPO. Joris Vos has 20 years of experience in the legal profession, of which he spent 13 years at the Cofra organization, which encompasses the Entrepreneurs Fund. Joris has broad experience with intellectual property, labour and international company law.

Cheryl Perino, Partner
Cheryl Perino joined GCC as a Partner in 2010 and is based in the United States. Cheryl co-founded the Global Clean Technology and Renewables practice at Piper Jaffray & Co. and has worked with a variety of clients globally, including JA Solar, First Solar, Cree, Yingli Green Energy, and GT Solar. She has extensive expertise in capital markets, and the semiconductor, solar and renewable industries.

Vishnu Amble
Vishnu Amble has been involved in a number of private equity, M&A, and capital raising transactions throughout Europe, Asia and North America over the past 10 years, with industry focus on renewable and thermal energy, utilities, and technology-enabled businesses, including software, semiconductors, and clean technology. His responsibilities have included deal sourcing and execution, portfolio management, exit strategy development, fundraising, and investor relations, working as a professional with organizations such as Abraaj Capital, The Carlyle Group, Lehman Brothers, and Booz Allen Hamilton.

Jerome Stokkel, Group Controller
Jerome Stokkel is the Group Controller at GCC with over 15 years finance and accounting experience in the financial service industry. Prior to GCC he held finance positions in Private Equity, Asset Management, Hedge Fund Administration and Corporate Trust. His responsibilities have included investor relations, account management, fund valuation & reporting and team management. Jerome serviced 1 billion+ hedge funds, fortune 500 companies and high net worth individuals working for organizations as Alpinvest, Citco, F&C and Equity Trust/TMF.

Current Investments

Europe Solar Utility - Paris, France
Europe Solar Utility is a platform company driving the finance, construction and sale of Solar PV projects in specific geographies in Europe. The Company is led by a world-class team with experience in renewable power development and project finance.

Eyefreight - Bunnik, Netherlands
Hosted Software as a Service Solution for multinational shippers to increase efficiency across all modes of transport reducing cost and carbon emissions.

kWhOURS - Boston, Massachusetts
Building energy efficiency software platform for professionals conducting commercial and industrial building assessments and energy audits.

Global Business Sustainability Network - Burlingame, California
Proprietary network of Fortune 500 operating executives in collaboration to identify and implement sustainable business lines and strategies for their respective businesses.

Alion - Richmond, California
Innovative total power plant solution for utility-scale solar photovoltaic power plants.

Meyer Burger Technology - Thun, Switzerland
Leading producer of capital equipment for solar cell and module manufacturing processes.

Past Investments

REC - Oslo, Norway
Integrated solar company from silicon to projects.
IPO 2006.

Q-Cells - Thalheim, Germany.
Integrated solar company from solar cells to projects.
IPO 2005.

Scatec - Oslo, Norway
Solar Management.
Merged with REC.

SiTech - Hovik, Norway
Monosilicon production company.
Merged with REC.

Scanwafer - Hovik, Norway
Listed Wafer Manufacturer.
Merged with REC.

Norfurnace - Ornes, Norway
Furnace for wafer production.
Merged with REC.

Climate Change Capital - London, United Kingdom
Asset manager managing some of the world’s largest carbon funds of over £800 million under management. Sold to Bunge Limited in 2012.

G3 Energy - Dallas, Texas
US-based wind portfolio.
Sold to Babcock and Brown 2005.

Pirelli Solar Utility - Milan, Italy
Solar photovoltaic project developer selling electricity in Italy.
Exited in fall 2009.

NanoGram - Milpitas, California
Company engaged in the development of its proprietary nano-silicon technology to produce crystalline thin film solar panels. In its later stages, the Company focused on silicon inks. NanoGram was sold to Teijin in the Summer of 2010.

Eyefreight Appoints New Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Eyefreight Press Release - May 2013

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