Nature must not win the game but she cannot lose. Subway tile art in NYC.
Image Credit: Susanna Schick / CleanTechnica
On November 4th and 5th, LACI, the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, is hosting a Global Showcase. Check out the full program here. The showcase will feature speakers from all over the world and will be held at the chic LEED Silver JW Marriot in downtown LA. 15 countries and 20 companies will be represented. Attendees will be able to see presentations on cutting-edge technologies and best practices in a broad range of cleantech businesses.
The first day focuses on international markets and policy drivers, while the second day focuses on companies and innovation. Keynotes include: Matt Petersen, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Los Angeles, and Michael Picker, Senior Advisor to Governor Jerry Brown on Renewable Energy Facilities.
I stopped by LACI to meet with Executive Director Fred H. Walti II and to find out how things have progressed since we first reported on this in January 2012. At the time, LACI was just a gleam in Villaraigosa’s eye….
This is a model of the future home of LA CleanTech Incubator.
Image Credit: Susanna Schick / CleanTechnica
CT: Fred, what inspired you to come to LACI?
FW: Well, I have been helping build successful companies for many years, and long ago I developed an interest in sustainability. So it’s a perfect fit for me. We have 25 companies currently working with us, in a broad range of markets — energy storage, energy generation, farming, and much more.
Fred Walti’s BMW, which has been used as intended, unlike most Sport Utility Vehicles.
Image Credit: Susanna Schick / CleanTechnica
When I arrived, I couldn’t help but park next to this very impressive motorcycle. It’s clear this BMW has actually been used for its intended purpose — exploring the most underdeveloped regions of the world. There were stickers from many South American countries. So I had to ask Fred-
CT: Did your interest in sustainability come from riding your motorcycle around South America?
FW: My wife and I rode that bike all over South America, and what we saw was that simple cleantech products like a small solar panel make a huge difference. We saw people powering one light bulb, thus their kids were able to study at night.
Fred and his wife Karen rode all over South America on the same bike he rode to work on (not this bike). Photo courtesy of Horizons Unlimited.
CT: The World Health Organization’s report on the subject is here. There are many examples showing that when people can read at night, charge their cell phones, and not suffer indoor air pollution in the process, they’re able to be more productive and thus increase their own wealth. As reported many times here on CleanTechnica, the planet is going green when it comes to energy. But we need much more of it.
We will be covering the LACI Global Showcase live, and you can attend at a 50% discount using this special discount code: c2013CLA125 — bringing the price down to $125.
I don't like paywalls. You don't like paywalls. Who likes paywalls? Here at CleanTechnica, we implemented a limited paywall for a while, but it always felt wrong — and it was always tough to decide what we should put behind there. In theory, your most exclusive and best content goes behind a paywall. But then fewer people read it! We just don't like paywalls, and so we've decided to ditch ours. Unfortunately, the media business is still a tough, cut-throat business with tiny margins. It's a never-ending Olympic challenge to stay above water or even perhaps — gasp — grow. So ...
Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!
Have a tip for CleanTechnica, want to advertise, or want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.
