Count Your Chickens – They’ve Hatched!

Yesterday I was lucky enough to tour the San Jose Environmental Business Cluster (EBC) at their monthly open house. The EBC is a “non-profit clean energy and environmental technology commercialization center in San Jose, California (that) assists emerging clean energy and environmental technology companies in reaching the market.” Founded over 15 years ago, the EBC offers an array of technology partnerships, industry networks and flexible office space in downtown San Jose located just a stone’s throw for the sparkling new glass-enclosed Rotunda at the City Hall.

At the open house we had the opportunity to speak with Julie Amato, Senior Development Officer from the City of San Jose and Erika Kula, Director of Business Development for the EBC. I was impressed with the newly-renovated space and it brought a smile to my face to see the logos of so many aspiring start-ups affixed to the office doors. The EBC prides itself on its “graduates”, over 75 companies that have now gone on to more permanent digs and are helping to drive the Silicon Valley clean tech economy. I also learned that the EBC is one of 10 incubators participating in the National Alliance of Clean Energy Business Incubators. It seems to me this is just what we need to drive our economic recovery right now, facilities, access to economic capital, and  a network of talented business advisors who can help “hatch” exciting new environmental technology companies.

So dear reader, what is your local government doing to help with your green business?