The 'Economics of Cleantech' meetup will focus on discussing today's energy problems, the economics and challenges of bringing new technologies to market, and the role that startups play in environmentally sustainable economies.

Challenges for building a clean economy include: the challenge of funding unpiloted technologies, reshaping culture and lifestyle attitudes, problem solving through public policy, and working within existing infrastructure while seamlessly integrating emerging technologies.

How can we fund (and start) the right companies, choose the right technologies, and efficiently scale while tackling these challenges? Join us as we ask these questions and discuss others.

Past Event: Open Source & Crowdsourcing

The first ULS event attracted over 80 attendees and included a panel of founders of from Acquia, uTest, GeniusRocket, and Local Motors. If you missed the event, be sure to check out the Xconomy article or view the full transcript of the crowdsourcing discussion on College Mogul.

Topics:

• What are some of the infrastructure challenges that today's companies must overcome?
• What types of technologies and startups are being funded?
• How can we ensure that stimulus funding makes it to the right technologies and companies?
• What are the most promising types of clean technologies and why?
• How do we scale clean technology?
• What does the process for commercializing new technologies look like?
• How do you integrate new technologies with the current infrastructure/energy ecosystem?
• What are the necessary steps for the world as a whole need to take in order to make the transition?
• What laws and public policy need to change? How? Why?
• How do we need to change culturally?

Agenda:

6:00 - 6:30 : Open Doors

6:30 - 6:45 : Introduction to Group

6:45 - 7:15 : Pitches/Demos

7:15 - 8:00 : Panel Discussion

Panelists:

• Bill Staby, Co-Founder/President of Resolute Marine Energy (wave energy technology)
• Forrest Liau, Co-Founder/Inventor of SunPoint (Renewables Category Winner of the MIT Clean Energy Prize)
• Sanjeev Mukerjee, Professor from the NUCRET School at Northeastern University (Northeastern University Center for Renewable Energy Technology)
• Ben Jabbawy, Associate from GreatPoint Ventures (VC arm of GreatPoint Energy)
  

Moderator:

• Aaron Gerry, Boston Assistant Organizer of Ultra Light Startups.  Aaron is a Middler at Northeasten University and a self-described 'start-up enthusiast.'
  

Event is in collaboration with the NU Entrepreneurs Club, HEAT, BIGfish Communications, The Northeastern University Sustainability Committee, and College Mogul, a blog that provides resources for first time entrepreneurs. 

A special thanks to Eric Cox of PNG Laboratories LLC for providing a live stream of the event!