Environmental Energies in Mass.

Massachusetts has decided to invest heavily in "green" technologies. Last year, the planned installation of windmills off the coast of Nantucket created some stir among local residents, but there is definitely an interest in finding efficient ways to save energy. MTC, the local think tank for the innovation economy, has started an initiative in this field called Renewable Energy. They are working with decision makers and investors to identify and apply the best technologies.

EPFL has global ambitions
Swissinfo has an interesting interview in English with Patrick Aebischer, the scientist-entrepreneur, who leads EPFL through a period of reforms and bold changes. Prof Aebischer wants to brand EPFL as one of the leading Institute of Technology in the world. Despite the widely-acclaimed increase of funds for science and research in the federal budget, more money will be needed to achieve this goal. This is the occasion to mention that a Boston-based scientist, Dr. Ruth Carter-Luthi, will join EPFL this summer to perform research around the Huntington disease.

Venture capital is scace - advice to getting financed!
That's not a good time to be raising capital from VC sources these days. As all the other high-tech regions across the US, the Boston area has suffered a dramatic drop in VC deals. However, we still see innovative companies being financed and there is money available. A recent article in the Boston Business Journal gives a few advice on what issues you need to work on to prepare for your meetings with investors. The same edition of the Journal has a special section on Venture Capital and feature stats on the industry in the Boston area.