By now all clean tech companies have learned that Washington DC is the home of the FFF (Federal Fountain of Funding).  Less obvious is how to drink at the well.  The attorneys at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati have created a treasure trove of resources for clean tech companies who want to get their unfair share.  Their Clean Tech Resource Center covers thirteen sectors from biofuels/biomass to wind power with links to all the federal programs, services and agencies.  It is all there including links to the many state programs.  The power of knowledge is the ultimate alternative energy.

Technology hubs like the San Diego’s clean tech cluster exist symbiotically with their legal communities.  An example of that interdependency was the full-day event last Wednesday sponsored by Foley & Lardner LLP.  The strong attendance at Foley’s Emerging Technologies Conference: Navigating a New World is evidence of the appetite for informed insights.  The panels on Alternative Energy and Accessing Government Funding were of greatest interest to me.  The Funding presentation was enhanced by the specific guidance of Tyler Orion and June Chocheles.  The Federal Technology Funding Guide was one recommendation.  Also recommended were the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) website and the Department of Defense SBIR website.  All government agencies offer periodic notification (more…)