The Rice Alliance Names Most Promising Energy Technology Companies at 5th Annual Energy and Clean Technology Venture Forum

HOUSTON – October 2, 2007 -- The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship at Rice University recently announced the top ten most promising energy and clean technology companies at the 5th Annual Energy and Clean Technology Venture Forum in Houston.

The most promising energy and clean technology companies were selected based on the commercial potential of the companies’ proprietary technology and the impact the technologies are expected to have on the energy industry, such as:

• low-cost solar energy production
• improved capture of seismic data for the upstream oil & gas industry
• reduced lighting technology – using only 1/8 the power of current bulbs
• improved gas detection at plants – improved health, safety and environmental standards

Emerging energy and clean technology companies showcased their new ventures for an audience of more than 530 attendees, including investors, venture capitalists, industry representatives, business leaders, advisors/mentors, service providers, and entrepreneurs.

The one day event culminated in an announcement of the Most Promising Energy and Clean Technology Companies chosen from 55 competitors and judged by the Rice Alliance Energy Advisory Board, based on the companies’ elevator pitch presentations. More than 70 companies applied to present at this year’s Forum.

One attendee commented, “With respect to the event – honestly I was just blown away; your event was so much better than any other similar event I have attended. The attendance both numbers and quality of attendees, the energy in the room, and the program were super.”

Another added: “The Rice Alliance has created great value for our community, lifting up our personal awareness as well as the outside world's awareness of the university.”

These companies were selected by a hand-picked panel of approximately 50 venture capitalists, investors, and other leaders from the energy industry. Following are the top companies, representing both traditional and alternative energy and clean technologies:

General Vortex (Houston/College Station, TX) - proprietary combustion technology, a flameless oxidation combustion system (Vortex Combustor) that enables low grade fuels to be burned while greatly increasing efficiency and minimizing emissions.

GreenVolts (San Francisco, CA) – solar energy company with breakthrough high concentration photovoltaic technology efficiently integrates tracking and optics into a system that dramatically lowers electricity generation cost. www.greenvolts.com

Lumedyne Technologies (San Diego, CA) – has developed a highly-advanced, proprietary MEMS accelerometer to capture seismic data for the upstream oil and gas industry. These accelerometers enable the capture of more accurate seismic data at reduced cost, enhancing the identification of potential oil and gas reserves. www.lumedynetechnologies.com

Practical Technology (Austin, TX) - developing and commercializing more efficient light bulbs based on a novel filament developed from Photonic Band Gap technology. This filament enables incandescent light bulbs to provide the same light at one-eighth the power consumption with a longer life without the high cost and mercury content of today’s compact fluorescent bulbs. www.phoenixbandgap.com

Questor Technology (Canada) - environmental technology company providing high efficiency waste sour gas incineration systems. Their products help operators achieve environmental objectives at the lowest cost with 99.9% efficiency. www.questortech.com Senscient (Houston, TX) - has developed a patented open-path gas detection and analysis technology for industrial plant operations, refineries, and chemical plants enabling reliable detection of both toxic and flammable gases over large areas, providing time for remedial action. This new sensor technology will enable plants to identify and reduce environmental emissions, enhance environmental performance by reducing emissions, and improve health and safety. www.senscient.com

Simbol Mining Corp. (Houston, TX) - unique silica extraction technology will enable the production of minerals and metals from geothermal, oil & gas, and other brines. www.simbolmining.com

Svitzer Surveys (Houston, TX) - provides subsurface geological and geophysical data using a patented, proprietary process to process near-surface marine seabed data. www.svitzersurveys.com

Tadger Group International (Canada) – developed a patented device that installs into the fuel feed line of any combustion engine. The patented design creates a controlled turbulence in the fuel which promotes enhanced heat transfer through convection and decreases the droplet size which results in more fuel per cycle being burnt. The result is lower emissions, increased horsepower and improved fuel economy. www.tadgergroup.com

TekSUN PV Manufacturing (Austin, TX) – thin-film solar panel technology that provides large-size solar panels to provide electricity at lower costs. A second application of this technology will provide transparent glass for office building windows, enabling “green buildings” and improving office building efficiency. www.tekSUNPV.com

Panelists included four of the leading energy venture capitalists in the United States. Keynote speakers were Matthew M. Nordan, President, Lux Research and Dr. Doug Cameron, Chief Scientific Officer, Khosla Ventures. The opening keynote speaker was Elizabeth “Libby” Cheney, Vice President, Exploration and Production, Shell Americas.

The event was sponsored by Event Underwriter: Shell and Kenda Capital; Co-host: UK Trade & Investment, British Consulate-General, Houston; Event Sponsors: Oracle and Huron Consulting Group; Bronze Sponsors: Canadian Consulate, Houston; Elevator Pitch and Networking Break Sponsor: Comerica Bank; Company Showcase and Reception Sponsor: Winstead; New Venture Presentations and Morning Networking Break Sponsor: Leyendecker & Associates; and Media Sponsors: Houston Business Journal and the BusinessMakers Radio Show.

About the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship
The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship is Rice University's flagship initiative devoted to the support of technology entrepreneurship. The mission of the Rice Alliance is to support the creation of technology-based companies and the commercialization of new technologies in the Houston community and Gulf Coast region.

The Rice Alliance’s vision is simple, but grand - to help establish Houston as a leading technology and entrepreneurship center in the United States.

Since its inception in late 1999, the Rice Alliance has assisted in the launch of more than 205 new technology companies. Rice Alliance companies have raised more than $300 million in early stage funding. In excess of 450 early-stage technology companies have benefited from participation in Rice Alliance programs as either a presenter or technology showcase company.

The Rice Alliance provides a collaborative network and forum for support, education and exchange of ideas. It provides entrepreneurs access to the human and financial capital needed for success. During the past seven years, the Rice Alliance has conducted more than 90 programs attended by nearly 20,000 individuals.