Painting Silicon Valley a New Shade of Green
Silicon Valley is trying to become a hub for clean technology–companies that specialize in alternative energy or energy-efficient products. Helping to lead the shift are local venture capitalists such as Vinod Khosla.
The 55-year-old, who co-founded Sun Microsystems Inc. (JAVA) and was a partner at venture-capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, now runs his own firm investing in clean-tech companies.
Last September, Mr. Khosla announced that his firm, Khosla Ventures, had raised two new funds that totaled more than $1 billion, giving him ammunition to nurture clean-technology start-ups.
In a recent conversation at his offices on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park–widely known as venture-capital row–Mr. Khosla discussed the competition to be the nation’s clean-tech center, how Silicon Valley stacks up in that race, and what green products he uses himself.