Among the VCs' predictions? Green technologies that will improve quality of life without harming the environment will become even bigger in 2006, said John Doerr of Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers.Looks like it's time to get that VC proposal together, greenies. Of the ten trends listed, three point to a good year for green business:
“Green is the new red, white, and blue,” said Mr. Doerr, whose firm is investing in more energy, environmental, and public health startups, echoing comments made by New York Times writer Tom Friedman in a recent column. Kleiner Perkins has invested in some of the world’s best-known tech companies including Amazon.com, AOL, and Google.
Agreeing with Mr. Doerr was Steve Jurvetson of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, who said there will be a “biological renaissance” in the coming year, with biological sciences becoming more popular with college students as a major.
“All the breakthrough development in science and technology will increasingly come from bio-derived or bio-inspired origins,” Mr. Jurvetson said, citing examples of the Human Genome project, cloning, and cleantech technologies.
1. More investment in green startups
2. Voice becomes free within data networks
3. Electronic technology changes from a growth engine to a commodity
4. China to become low-cost world innovator
5. Microsoft, SAP, and Oracle will lose dominance in software
6. U.S. on path to following the third-world
7. Biological sciences become popular in colleges
8. Most compelling technologies will help save time
9. Wires will disappear from the home network
10. Design will count more than ever
Of course, I'm not sure what to think about #4 and #6, both of which point to China's increasing ascendence in the world market. They're certainly making some impressive strides in renewable energy, but then there's that whole "exploited workers" thing. Thoughts?
Categories: business, venture capital, trends, 2006, green, sustainable, China
