Looking for investment deals and strategic partners, the California Israel Chamber of Commerce has selected and announced the 10 Israeli clean tech companies invited to present at this year’s CICC Cleantech Tour and Showcase. Green Prophet has covered the event which is to take place starting April 27. This group has been handpicked for their investment potential so even if you are not planning on meeting them in the US, this list might give you some leads. Here are the finalists:

In Water:
Amiad, a water filtration company.
TaKaDu, a company using software to reduce water loss.

In Smart Grid:
There is Arcadian Networks

In Solar:
BrightView Systems

In Energy Efficiency:
Linum Systems
Panoramic Power

In Biofuels:
Designer Energy
Rosetta Green (from Rosetta Genomics)
TransAlgae

In Electric/Hybrid Vehicles:
ETV Motors

Some of these companies are fresh to the media, so we hope this trip to California produces some stories, and investments in clean tech. We’ve supplied the long list and description below for those who’d like to read more. These descriptions have been supplied by the company and have not been edited by us:

Founded in Israel in 1962, Amiad is a world leader in filtration, delivering clean water with clean technology.  Amiad’s automatic self cleaning screen filters and automatic micro fiber (AMF) filters safeguard human health, the environment and industrial productivity.  Amiad filters can stand alone to efficiently remove solids from irrigation, municipal or industrial water, or help make multi-stage water treatment systems more effective and efficient by optimizing the use of chemicals and operating on a bare minimum of water and power. Today, the company has more than 400 employees worldwide and is traded on the AIMLondon Stock Exchange.

Arcadian Networks designs and delivers wireless broadband communication systems to the energy sector. The real-time, two-way communication networks provide the backbone of all “smart” energy solutions – delivering operating efficiencies, interoperability and security. Designed specifically for utility, oil and gas, and renewable energy industries, the IP converged networks are based on private, secured 700 MHz spectrum. Customized services range from blueprint to network deployment, systems integration, through customer service.

BrightView Systems delivers comprehensive process control and optimization solutions dedicated to thin-film solar panel manufacturing. With a profound understanding of photovoltaic cell physics, process development and mass production, BrightView’s core technologies span in-line metrology, imaging and unique data analysis packages specifically designed for thin-film solar manufacturing. BrightView solutions improve the efficiency, durability and bankability of panels and provide integral solutions for improving thin-film PV productivity and profitability.

Designer Energy (DE) is an Israeli biotechnology company dedicated to producing cheap, fermentable sugars to sustainably enable the industrial biology industry. Designer Energy has demonstrated proof-of-concept for two enzymatic hydrolysis processes that both exhibit remarkable performance on a wide variety of biomass. The company is currently negotiating a multi-year, multi-million dollar research collaboration with a major oil company. Designer Energy has been funded by Musea Ventures, a family angel fund, to reach proof of concept for both of its technologies and is currently seeking to raise its first round of institutional funding.

Established in 2008, ETV Motors Ltd . develops advanced powertrain technologies that address the automotive industry’s tightening embrace of electric vehicles (EVs). ETVM’s scientists are focused on two achievements: a compact, energy-dense, power-dense battery; and an ultra-efficient on-board power-generator that keeps the battery charged with energy sourced from currently-available infrastructure.  Gram for gram, ETVM’s lithium-based cells deliver 50% more energy than the best competing cells. Batteries built from these cells will be smaller, more affordable, and have potentially twice the driving range of other lithium-ion batteries. ETVM’s innovative microturbine serves as a range-extender for efficient, affordable, clean plug-in hybrid EVs.

Linum Systems is developing a hybrid solar air conditioning technology which provides heat-driven cooling and heating, and seamlessly switches to electricity-driven mode during off-sun conditions. This energy-saving technology offers better efficiency and significant cost reductions in comparison to other solar air conditioning systems available today in the market. The technology is based on a novel patent-pending thermodynamic cycle developed and owned by Linum, using mainly standard industry components.

Easy to install and operate, the system offers the first practical solar air conditioning solution for the residential and small office space. Linum Systems is based in Pardes-Hanna,Israel.

Panoramic Power is an early stage startup working on Energy Efficiency (EE) for commercial buildings. Our vision is to enable any organization full, granular transparency to its power flow and usage in order to increase efficiency and save costs. We will provide the enterprise with a standard, affordable power visibility platform that will extend the smart grid revolution into the internal enterprise grid and enable quick customer ROI. The technology under development will change the way enterprises look at their power flow, building a basis for an unlimited set of new and innovative applications. Panoramic Power: Smart Grid for the Enterprise .

Rosetta Green’stechnologies focus on a unique set of genes, known as microRNAs that function as main switches for controlling key traits in plants and algae. The company is using its platform technologies to develop improved crops for agriculture, and  feedstocks for biofuels. Rosetta Green is a subsidiary of Rosetta Genomics (Nasdaq: ROSG).   Rosetta Green’s has managed to generate algae with increased oil content and plants with improved drought tolerance. The versatility of our technologies enables us to implement them in a variety of cleantech and agri-technology related traits. The company’s go-to-market strategy relies on developing POCs and prototypes of plants and algae with improved traits and collaborating with strategic partners for scaling up and commercialization.

TaKaDu provides Water Infrastructure Monitoring service, allowing water utilities to significantly reduce water loss and promote operational efficiency. The World Bank estimates global water loss at 25%-30%, representing a $20bn problem. TaKaDu’s unmatched Software-as-a-Service solution requires no network changes or capital expenditures. The solution, based on patent-pending mathematical and statistical algorithms, uses existing network data (flow, pressure, quality, etc.).  TaKaDu is fully operational with utilities and partners in Europe, Australia, Latin America, Israeland theUS . TaKaDu was founded in 2008 by Amir Peleg, a high-tech veteran and serial entrepreneur, together with software industry veterans and prominent scientists.

TransAlgae, Ltd .is building the framework for algal biofuel and animal feed, using genetic engineering combined with practical agricultural, industrial and economic approaches. The company’s scientific team has completed its first generation of transgenic algae and a field research site has been established at a 400MW natural gas power station. In addition to higher productivity, the genetic approach enables rapid increases, multiple high-quality products, bio-safety mechanisms and contamination resistance. TransAlgae is in collaboration with Endicott Biofuels, TX, for the development of algae as a potential transportation fuel and renewable chemical feedstock source and is in the process of signing an MOU with a fish feed producer for testing of microalgae as an ingredient in the production of fish feed.

Read more on the CICC event:
Israeli Clean Tech Returns to California
Last Call for Israeli Companies to Meet CA Dream Teams
The CICC Brings CA Investors Back to Israel

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Teaching

• Assist Garden Manager/Teacher in leadership of daily garden classes.
• Guide students through all aspects of garden propagation, planting, cultivation, and general maintenance.
• Mentor individual students in and out of class, model respect and curiosity for learning, and encourage students’ interests and talents.
• Participate in the development of garden lessons that are integrated into a standards-based curriculum.

Garden Care

• Participate in maintaining garden facilities, caring for equipment, garden planning, pruning, irrigation, pest and disease management, small-scale chicken husbandry, and general greenhouse tasks.
• Share the responsibility of caring for the summer garden.

Communication, Leadership, and Outreach

• Cultivate communication and relationships with ESY staff, King teachers, and administrative staff, as well as the extended community of parents, neighbors, school garden educators, and potential ESY affiliates.
• Assist in orientation, training, and supervision of AmeriCorps members, interns, and volunteers.
• Participate in ESY, community, and school-wide events.
• Participate in the planning and leadership of ESY summer academies.

Supervision and Reporting

• The Assistant Garden Teacher reports to the Garden Manager/Teacher and collaborates with the entire ESY staff.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years experience teaching youth.
• A minimum of 3 years experience with organic gardening and a desire to keep learning.
• Bilinguality is a plus.
• A sense of humor is a must.
• Experience with basic computer programs and writing is required.
• An ability to work outdoors in a physically demanding environment.

Application deadline: May 3rd, 2010;  Start date: August 23rd, 2010

To apply, Please email letter of interest and resume with subject ‘Assistant Garden Teacher’ to shaina@edibleschoolyard.org.

PARTNERSHIPS
Daily Acts, iGROW Sonoma, GoLocal & Living Mandala are collaborating with the Sonoma County Water Agency and dozens of community groups and companies to create the 350 Garden Challenge. This county-wide project will engage citizens, organizations, local businesses, media and civic leaders to save water and improve access to healthy, fresh local food while positioning Sonoma County as a national leader in the local food movement and water conservation.

ROLL OUT
The 350 Garden Challenge planning team, together with community organizers, will assist residents with garden planning and design, water management, access to materials, team building, and documentation. Garden sites and participation will largely be coordinated online at www.igrowsonoma.org .

CONTACTS

Via Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=108068742554224

Primary Contact
Beth Dadko, Coordinator
iGROW Sonoma
707-565-6681
bdadko@sonoma-county.org

www.igrowsonoma.org
Project Manager
Trathen Heckman, Director
Daily Acts
707-789-9664
trathen@dailyacts.org

www.dailyacts.org
Business Outreach
Kelley Rajala, Director
GoLocal Cooperative
707-888-6105
k.rajala@golocal.coop

www.golocal.coop

Frog Hollow Farm, one of the Bay area’s first, oldest, and finest organic orchards is seeking an Administrative Assistant to support our eCommerce, Mail Order, and Order Fulfillment divisions.  The right applicant will be organized with a strong work ethic and ability to learn fast.  Must be able to manage multiple priorities and projects, meet deadlines, and pay close attention to details.   Must be proficient in MS Excel, Word, and Publisher and familiar with QuickBooks.  Bi-Lingual (Spanish) is a plus.

Please email resume and cover letter to jobs@froghollow.com.   In the coverletter, please answer the following questions:
1)      What is your favorite stone fruit?
2)      Do you personally shop for organic produce?  If so, why?
3)      Do you have an attachment to local farms?  If so, please explain.
4)      Are you a regular at your farmer’s market?
5)      What are three of your favorite restaurants?

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. For more information please contact us at jobs@froghollow.com

Hidden Villa is a nonprofit educational organization that uses its organic farm, wilderness, and community to teach and provide opportunities to learn about the environment and social justice.  Hidden Villa stretches over 1600 acres of open space in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 40 miles south of San Francisco. Our mission is to inspire a just and sustainable future through our programs, land and legacy.

Fall-Spring Hours
Beginning August 25, 2009
Hidden Villa is open to the public Tuesday – Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to Dusk
We are closed to the public on Mondays, except on holidays
$5 parking fee/day OR purchase an Annual Pass

Camp Registration for Summer 2010 is now open! Please refer to the camp registration page to see what’s in store for the upcoming season!

If you were an aspiring actor, it would be like getting an invitation to a wine and cheese Hollywood party with the industry’s top directors. Or an aspiring chef, getting some in-person training with Le Cordon Bleu masters in Paris. If you are an Israeli clean technology entrepreneur in focus areas of renewable energy, water, or smart grid technologies, now is your time to shine under the sun of California’s hottest clean tech investors, potential partners and utilities companies.

The California Israel Chamber of Commerce (CICC) is making its last call for Israeli companies to apply to its prestigious 3-day event, promising to open doors to some of the best opportunities America has to offer. Will your company open that door on April 26 to 28 this year?

Costing a symbolic $1,500 to participate, Israeli clean tech companies – about 12 to 15 in total – will meet over a period of 3 days with an unparalleled group of VCs, Californian clean tech companies, and high-profile utilities representatives from companies such as PG&E and the California Public Utilities Commission.

The process of selection isn’t easy, but Shuly Galili, the executive director of the California Israel Chamber of Commerce (CICC), tells Green Prophet there is a still a few days for companies to apply. An 8 slide presentation will be ask as part of the application process so the CICC has ascertain how ready your company is to come to market. The CICC is looking for companies that are in advanced stages of development, not just in the lab.

Californian investors and the like are open to a range of ideas from the clean technology spectrum, says Galili, but preferred market areas will be in renewable energy, water and smart grid technologies. These are the solutions that California is looking for.

Due to a similar even last year, the Israeli solar energy company Tigo was able to raise money, reports Galili, who is hoping to help more Israeli clean tech companies do the same.

Here are some of the events on the agenda of the 3-day meeting:

One-on-one meetings with VCs and companies

A seminar on accessing US government stimulus funds (similar to the one that BrightSource just cashed in on in California)

3 hour meetings with public utilities companies to understand their needs and limitations (how to work with and sell to utility companies)

Seminars that allow Israeli companies to see their competitors in California, and their development in the market (will give young Israeli companies a perspective on their market potential)

Seminars on finding funding capital in the US

“The Israeli VC funding landscape is dwindling,” says Galili. It’s becoming a challenge to find funding, and knowing how Californians think and invest will help open doors, she adds. About 30 different VC funds will participate in the event.

The Who’s Who?

Participating organizations in the initiative will include industry giants such as SRI, Chevron, IBM, the California Public Utilities Commission, Electric Power Research Institute, Energy Recovery Inc, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), Google, PARC, General Electric (GE), Intel, Sempra Generation, SVB, Perkins Coie, BrightSource Energy, Applied Materials, the Cleantech Group, Israel Cleantech Ventures, US Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Battery Ventures, Vantage Point Venture Partners and more.

Want to apply? Download the application here – the CICC Cleantech Initiative (links to PDF).

Read more on Israel and California cooperation in cleantech:
The Israel Cleantech Tour Returns to California
California Signs Cleantech Coop Deal with Israel
Top Californian Cleantech Investors Head to Israel

Contact: Office of Communications (202) 720-4623

USDA Announces Help for Drought-Stricken California Farmers

FRESNO, Calif., March 4, 2010-Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today pledged additional funding to assist California agricultural producers struggling to cope with drought-related water cutoffs. Dave White, Chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), made the announcement on Vilsack’s behalf during a visit to California to meet with and listen to the needs of farmers.

“With the challenges to California farmers caused by three years of drought, we are making available much-needed assistance to some of the hardest hit producers,” said White. “This funding will help farmers deal with the current conditions, such as preventing dust and wind erosion in fallowed areas and keeping trees and vines alive.”

White announced that USDA would provide $10 million through a special drought initiative under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The EQIP funding will build on the $3 million NRCS provided to drought-stricken areas in 2009 by continuing last year’s assistance and adding the option of converting farms to highly water-efficient micro-irrigation systems.

USDA is providing financial assistance through NRCS according to an established payment schedule to put these drought-mitigating practices more within the reach of producers in the affected areas. California Counties eligible for drought assistance include: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. Signup for the drought initiative begins immediately and will run through April 9.

Ed Burton, State Conservationist for NRCS in California said the Agency would work with partners to balance the funds available through the drought initiative. Burton will be consulting with the State Technical Committee in coming weeks on how to best allocate the money to projects around the state.

For information about other USDA NRCS conservation programs online, visit: www.nrcs.usda.gov, or visit the nearest USDA Service Center in your area. 2010 represents the 75th year of NRCS helping people help the land. Since its inception in 1935, the NRCS conservation delivery system has advanced a unique partnership with state and local governments and private landowners delivering conservation based on specific, local conservation needs, while accommodating state and national interests.