Cleantech, the concept, is new technology and related business models offering competitive returns for investors and customers while providing solutions to global challenges.

Clean is more than green and is not environmental technology or "green tech" popularized in the 1970's and 80's. Cleantech is new technology and related business models offering competitive returns for investors and customers while providing solutions to global challenges. Where greentech, or envirotech, represents the highly regulatory driven, "end-of–pipe" technology of the past with limited opportunity for attractive returns, cleantech is driven by market economics therefore offering greater financial upside and sustainability.

The Cleantech Group was formerly the Cleantech Venture Network, which defined and introduced cleantech as an investment category in 2002. Now it spans a series of businesses which have helped transform cleantech from a niche category into one of today’s most significant business opportunities. All activities share a common mission: to provide insight, business opportunities and relationships that catalyze the growth of cleantech markets globally.

The Cleantech Network is a membership organization of 8,000 qualified cleantech investors, 9,500 companies and professional services organizations worldwide and a core group of 1,300 elite members with assets exceeding $6 trillion. This includes venture capital firms, investment banks, limited partners, governments and major corporations with offices in North America, Europe, China and India. The Cleantech Network has been producing the highly-regarded Cleantech Forum investment conferences around the world since 2003.