Greenomics:
Creating Profitable Businesses in a Green and Clean World
Find the "green" answers you’ve been looking for on March 11, 2009
This program is presented by MIT Enterprise Forum and AeA
Join the MIT Enterprise Forum and AeA to learn from experts in green investment, government policy, and entrepreneurial communities as they help us understand issues and opportunities for clean technology and green solution development businesses in the Pacific Northwest. The discussion will provide entrepreneurs with the information they need to put the Pacific Northwest on the map with a robust green industry.
Discussion topics will include:
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Where are the green business opportunities and pitfalls for entrepreneurs?
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Why is the “green” Pacific Northwest trailing other areas of the country?
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What can Northwest investors, regulators, and entrepreneurs do to change this?
People everywhere look at the Pacific Northwest as the land of tree-huggers leading the nation in environmental consciousness. There is much to be proud of in this region…plenty of fresh air, clean water, abundant forests and wildlife. Yet despite this, the Pacific Northwest is substantially trailing many areas of our nation in clean technology and green solution development. Some of the more crowded and polluted areas of the country are leading the way with investments into research and green start-ups, implementation of government policies and regulations that nurture the green industry, and provision of incentives for talented people to start and grow successful green businesses.
Join moderator Steven Verhey, Ph.D., Chief Executive Manager, BioAlgene/Central Washington Biodiesel as he guides a discussion about the situation and potential solutions along with panelists:
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Yoram Bauman, PhD, Environmental Economist, University of Washington Program on the Environment
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Saqib Rasool, Managing Partner, Conceivian
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Martin Tobias, with Northwest Energy Angels
Moderator
Steven Verhey, Ph.D., BioAlgene / Central Washington Biodiesel
Steve Verhey grew up on a farm near Royal City, WA. After a year at WSU, he graduated from Reed College in Portland, OR. He got involved in the then-new sustainable agriculture movement during graduate school at Oregon State University, where he received a Ph.D. in plant biochemistry and molecular biology. His interest in biodiesel goes back several years and grew out of teaching about energy as a professor at Central Washington University.
In June 2006, Steve refinanced his home left CWU to work on the Central Washington Biodiesel Project with a fellow former professor. He is also President of the Cascadia Carbon Institute, an energy/economy/sustainability think tank, and Chief Science officer at Bioalgene, Inc.
Panelists
Yoram Bauman, PhD
Yoram Bauman has a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Washington, where his focus was on the use of economic instruments to protect the environment. In addition to consulting work and various teaching assignments (in the UW Program on the Environment, at Bainbridge Graduate Institute and at Lakeside School), he also performs around the world as the world's first and only stand-up economist, including at Non-Profit Comedy, a stand-up comedy show that benefits Seattle-area non-profits. He is the co-author (with Alan Thein Durning) of Tax Shift, and the author of an online economics textbook called Quantum Microeconomics. His next book, which comes out in early 2010, co-authored with Grady Klein, is a cartoon introduction to economics.
Saqib Rasool, Conceivian
Saqib is a seasoned executive with more than 15 years of experience in technology, investments, strategy, business development and entrepreneurship. He has been involved across industries, in corporations and start-ups as an executive, an advisor and an investor. He has founded two technology companies (inCampus and Metafos) and run a strategy and investments firm (Conceivian) during the past four years. Earlier in his career, he spent eight years at Microsoft in various technology and management roles.
Saqib’s deeper commitment relates to building out the forthcoming “green economy”. He is committed to a shift in society, at the local and international levels, wherein conscious practices are established to create peace and win-win conditions for the planet and all its inhabitants.
Martin Tobias, Northwest Energy Angels
Martin Tobias is a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist. A recognized leader in technology and renewable / green / cleantech, he sees the powerful intersection of those worlds driving significant innovation over the next decade.
In September 2008, Martin started Kashless, Inc. directly in the middle of sustainability and technology. Kashless leverages the internet, mobile technology, social networks and local partnerships to make finding stuff to reuse and recycling of your own stuff safe and easy.
Martin led Imperium Renewables as a major investor, and CEO and Chairman from May 2005 to January 2008. Under his leadership, the company grew sales from zero to over $80 million, raised over $240 million in equity and project debt, and scaled the company’s technology from bench to build the largest biodiesel refinery in the world at Gray’s Harbor Washington. Martin is a recognized leader in renewable energy across investment banks, private equity and the analyst community.
Martin has over 10 years of experience as a principal investor both privately and through funds. Martin has been a Venture Partner with Ignition Partners (>$800 million early-stage software and wireless VC) since 2002, working with the infrastructure software and networking team, and currently serves on the Board of Cloudmark. He has personally invested in over two dozen start-ups, across technology and cleantech. In 2004, he founded the Northwest Energy Angel network and continues to serve on their Board of Directors.
Prior to Ignition, Martin spent 15 years in operating roles in technology companies. He was the Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Loudeye Technologies, Inc. (NASDQ: LOUD), a pioneer in digital media production, distribution and applications. Under his leadership, the company raised over $175 million (including an IPO), and grew to be one of the largest providers of digital media-enabling solutions for the Internet.
Prior to Loudeye, Martin spent six years with Microsoft in various operational management roles and four years with Andersen Consulting (Accenture). Martin received his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Computer Science from Oregon State University.
More at www.aeanet.org/Washington
This dinner event has sold out, please contact us at mitenterpriseforum@verizon.net or (425) 771-4790 if you have qestions.
Cancellation Deadline: March 6th
