Emerald Technology Ventures holds final close on its latest cleantech venture capital fund at EUR 135 million (CA$210 million)

Emerald Technology Ventures, formally SAM Private Equity, is pleased to announce it has closed its second cleantech focused venture fund with commitments of EUR 135 million (CA$210 million). Strong investor demand helped Emerald exceed its original target for the new fund. Emerald is a global leader in cleantech venture capital and will continue to invest in early and expansion stage companies primarily located in North America and Europe.

Investors in the new fund are leading investment companies, financial institutions and multinational corporations from around the globe including: Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec - Canada, GIMV - Belgium, Rabobank - Netherlands, Axpo Holding - Switzerland, Springbridge Limited (Advised by Consensus Business Group – UK), Credit Suisse - Switzerland, Deere & Co. - USA, DSM Venturing - Netherlands, Dow Chemical Co. - USA, KPC Energy Ventures, Inc. - Kuwait, Piper Jaffray Private Capital - USA, Suncor Energy Inc. Canada, Unilever Technology Ventures Advisory Company LLC - USA and Volvo Technology Transfer AB - Sweden.

"The quality of our investor base is a testament to the competence of our investment team" commented Gina Domanig, Managing Partner of Emerald. "It also provides our portfolio companies with direct access to some of the most influential companies in the world".

Emerald has already made two investments from the new fund which includes Identec Solutions, an Austrian-based developer of wireless tracking and tracing solutions for numerous industries including transportation and logistics, and Vaperma Inc., a Canadian-based developer of polymer membrane technology for applications in ethanol and natural gas production.

"We are pleased to have helped consolidate all North American activities of this world-class firm in Montreal," said Éric Legault, Director, Investments at the Caisse. "Canadian companies in this promising sector now have access to a unique expertise and an international network to support their development."

About Emerald Technology Ventures

Emerald Technology Ventures AG is a global leader in cleantech venture capital. Founded in 2000 under the name SAM Private Equity, Emerald is a pioneer in this rapidly emerging sector and is focused on innovative technologies in energy, materials and water. From offices in Zurich, Switzerland and Montreal, Canada, Emerald manages three venture capital funds and two venture capital portfolio mandates totalling over EUR 285 million (CA$430 million). Emerald is currently investing out of its latest fund and is looking for energetic and passionate entrepreneurs with the vision to build world-class clean technology companies.
www.emerald-ventures.com

About the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec

The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is a financial institution that manages funds primarily for public and private pension and insurance plans. As at December 31, 2006, it held $143.5 billion of net assets. The Caisse invests in the main financial markets as well as in private equity and real estate. Its private equity team focuses on companies with the potential for strong growth and returns. The institution partners with dynamic companies in various sectors, offering them a full range of financing products, with emphasis on equity investments and loans. The private equity portfolios held $16.8 billion of net assets as at December 31, 2006.