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VC investments in cleantech firms dip 13% in 2009

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Newswire18 New Delhi

Mirroring the impact of the global meltdown across sectors, investments by venture capital (VC) companies in clean technology companies fell 13 per cent on year in 2009.

According to a study by Cleantech Group and Deloitte, Indian companies raised $190 million (Rs 866.4 crore) last year compared to $218 million (Rs 994.1 crore) in 2008.

Biofuels was the pick of venture capitalists with the segment witnessing 55 per cent of the investments.

Over the last two-three years, Indian companies engaged in developing clean or green technology had attracted significant interest from local and global venture capital and private equity companies. A number of private equity funds targeting the clean technology space are raising capital from investors to invest in India.

 

Among these is private equity firm Olympus Capital, which is raising $250 million (Rs 1,140 crore) to invest in renewable energy and environmental services companies in Asia.

Global Environment Fund and YES Bank are also jointly raising a $200 million (Rs 91.2 crore) clean energy fund for South Asia.

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First Published: Jan 08 2010 | 12:50 AM IST

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