Element 8 Members Invested Record $5.7 Million in 2014

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwired - Feb 4, 2015) -  Element 8 (http://www.element8angels.com/) announced its members invested more than $5.7 million to support the growth of 14 innovative clean technology companies in 2014. The angel investing group's statistics are a record for the organization -- in both number of members making investments and total money invested. Overall, since Element was founded in 2006, members have invested more than $19.6 million in more than 50 clean technology companies.

"Element 8 seeks to support the development of companies and technologies that will accelerate the transition to a cleaner future and more sustainable world," said Bill Lemon, co-chair of Element 8. "To do that, we strive to make the entire investment process collaborative, supportive and fun for our members. The record number of members making investments in the last year is an affirmation that we're achieving our mission. We're looking forward to a great 2015."

Companies receiving investments during 2014 include: Adaptive Symbiotic Technologies (www.adsymtech.com), Greenbacker Group (www.greenbackercapital.com), Ibis Networks, Inc. (www.ibisnetworks.com), Marine Construction (www.MarineConTech.com), Perpetua Power (www.perpetuapower.com), Promus Energy (www.promusenergy.com) SparkFund (www.sparkfund.co) and TBF Environmental Technology (www.tbfenvironmental.com). Follow-on investments include Empower Micro Systems (www.empowermicro.com), Flux Drive, Inc. (www.fluxdrive.com), Green Canopy Homes and associated funds (www.greencanopyhomes.com), WISErg (www.WISErg.com), and One Energy Renewables (www.oneenergyrenewables.com).

The increases in funding amounts and number of members participating are reflective of nationwide cleantech investment trends. According to PriceWaterhouseCoopers' annual Cleantech MoneyTree™ report, more money had been invested in cleantech deals through the first three quarters of 2014 than in all of 2013. 

"Our ability to provide our members a variety of options -- from the type of company, technology, and stage of growth, to the type of capital, including debt, convertible debt, equity and others, helped drive the largest participation we've seen yet," said Lemon. "We will continue to build on this momentum in 2015 with expanded offerings across these various investment opportunities."

Element 8 is made up of accredited angel investors from across the Pacific Northwest, themselves successful executives and entrepreneurs, who provide investment capital, contacts and strategic advice to help early-stage companies achieve market success. Members, whether seasoned investors or new angels with a desire to learn, gain access to quality deal flow and the tools for successful investing. Cooperative due diligence, a powerful business network, and relevant, timely education allow members to make individual investment decisions, and to build a unique and diverse portfolio that matches their interests and goals.

About Element 8
Element 8 is the first angel investment group in North America to focus exclusively on cleantech, and continues to be a leading funder of early stage companies across the continent. Element 8 pairs its members' collective expertise with outstanding entrepreneurs to help build successful companies that accelerate the transition to a cleaner future and better world. To date, members have invested more than $19.6 million in more than 50 companies in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, Montana, New York, Oregon, Washington (state), Washington, D.C. and British Columbia, Canada. More information is available at: www.element8angels.com.