Khosla Ventures, the Menlo Park, Calif., firm founded by Vinod Khosla in 2004, stated Tony Blair will advise their portfolio companies on public policy. Khosla is currently investing $1.1 billion in tech firms, including so-called clean technology.
Blair currently leads the “Breaking the Climate Deadlock” effort, which aims to build consensus on international climate policy. Blair stated that technology might help solve the “twin challenges” of energy security and climate change. “Solving the climate crisis is more than just a political agenda item. It’s an urgent priority that requires innovation, creativity and ambition,” Blair noted. “I share a clear vision with Vinod, one of the earliest leaders in clean-tech investment, that entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and beyond will have a tremendous impact on our environmental future.” One of Khosla Ventures portfolio companies uses carbon emissions to make cement products. Even as other venture capitalists have scaled back, due to high costs and unproven technologies, Khosla has continued to invest in the sector. Overall, the total venture capital invested in clean technology companies fell to $2.3 billion in 2009, down from $4.1 billion in 2008, according to the National Venture Capital Assn.
