Cleantech industry leaders, companies, investors, entrepreneurs and policy makers are invited to learn about leading edge and commercializable scientific research in renewable energy and water technology from Israel, at the Academia-Industry Forum: Advanced Cleantech R&D from Israel, hosted by CICC and Energy Crossroads, in cooperation with the Technion, Ben-Gurion University, and Tel Aviv University. The forum is scheduled for Monday November 10, 5:30-8:30pm at Bechtel Conference Center, Encina Hall, 616 Serra St. Stanford, California (directions). A $30 fee will be collected at the door, no RSVP is required. The forum is free to Stanford faculty, students, and staff with valid ID.

The forum will be led by distinguished speakers from Israeli academia and research institutes: professor Yohay Carmel, Technion Faculty of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Chair of the Israel Society of Ecology and Environmental Science, professor Eilon Adar, Director, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, and Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research , Ben Gurion University, and professor Avraham Kribus, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, and Chair of the International Solar Energy Society in Israel. Professor Sally Benson, executive director, Global Climate & Energy Project (GCEP) and professor in the Department of Energy Resources Engineering, Stanford University, will moderate the discussion.

The forum is a kickoff event to the CICC Israel Cleantech Company Showcase scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, 2008. The showcase will introduce pre-selected Israeli cleantech companies to California's key cleantech industry players - cleantech companies, investors, utility giants and policymakers. To also register for the CICC Israel Cleantech Company Showcase on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 click here.

For many investors and entrepreneurs there's a feeling that the technology industry will be hurt by a significant recession. But many believe that the Cleantech sector, which is targeting a $4 trillion energy market, might be an exception. Cleantech investments typically require longer time periods and more money to mature than Internet or software startups, and they enjoy the support of governments and a populace worried about energy issues and global warming.

A panel called "Funding Alternatives for Clean Tech Startups" held in Santa Clara, California, on October 14th, by Intel Capital and angel investor network, Keiretsu Forum, for the California Clean Tech Open, , sought to give advice to young companies who plan to look for funding in the downturn. Rachel Sheinbein, an associate at venture firm CMEA who is also a Keiretsu member, told Chris Morrison of Venturebeat.com before the meeting that most angel investors aren't put off by the economic pain. "Now's the time to put some money into new things and find some good deals," she said. Marc Gottschalk, a lawyer at William Sonsini who helps run the CCTO, is also guardedly optimistic. He told Morrison that as someone who sees plenty of deals, he thinks venture funders will look past a recession when investing in newer cleantech startups. "I know firms like Sequoia are telling their firms to be lean and mean," he said. "But cleantech investments are for a three to five year window, so you can't make your bets on that right now."