Venture Capital and Cleantech Challenges

The video discusses how venture capital can find new ideas by revisiting past technologies that failed financially but have no technological barriers. It highlights the challenges in cleantech investments, particularly on the generation side, due to flawed business models. The speaker compares cleantech strategies to consumer products, emphasizing the need for competitive pricing and features. Successful investments should focus on viable alternatives to existing energy sources. Investing in non-viable companies diverts resources and talent from solving real problems, impacting society negatively.

What is a potential source of new ideas in venture capital according to the speaker?

• Technologies that have not produced financial returns but have potential

• Technologies that have failed technologically

• Technologies that are over 50 years old

• Technologies that have succeeded financially

Which aspect of cleantech has received significant funding but performed poorly?

• Cooling technologies

• Grid management technologies

• Generation technologies

• Efficiency technologies

What is the main issue with business models in cleantech generation?

• They are too competitive

• They rely on subsidies and goodwill

• They are too focused on efficiency

• They are too similar to traditional models

In the hypothetical example, what mistake does the handset manufacturer make?

• Competing directly with the market leader

• Pricing the product too low

• Offering too many features

• Relying on subsidies and goodwill

What is a key criterion for investing in energy companies according to the speaker?

• High initial investment costs

• Ability to produce energy as cheaply and cleanly as coal

• High reliance on government subsidies

• Focus on inefficient technologies

What is the speaker's stance on cleantech generation technologies?

• They are highly efficient

• They have successful business models

• They are the future of energy

• They rely too much on subsidies

What does the speaker suggest is necessary for a successful business model in energy?

• High reliance on subsidies

• Competitive pricing and efficiency

• Focus on government support

• High initial costs

Why does the speaker believe investing in non-viable technologies is socially unhelpful?

• It increases competition

• It diverts resources from solving real problems

• It reduces the need for subsidies

• It leads to technological advancements

What happens when capital is allocated to companies not solving real problems?

• It reduces market competition

• It increases financial returns

• It diverts talent and resources

• It encourages innovation

What is the speaker's view on paying engineers to work on uneconomical technologies?

• It is a good investment

• It is necessary for innovation

• It encourages technological growth

• It is a waste of resources