We’re at a unique crossroads, with many entrepreneurs and investors alike unsure of the future. Once-hot companies are struggling to raise their next round of financing or secure key customers. Some VCs appear to be running for the hills. See articles here and here.  Yet, China is deploying clean technologies like never before. Big European corporates are investing in cleantech startups, funds, and JVs at record levels. What’s really going on with cleantech?

Recently, a small gathering of cleantech entrepreneurs and investors attempted to tackle these questions:  Where do you think we stand today? Where do you think the brightest opportunity is in cleantech over the next 2 years? What is the future of cleantech?

There’s no doubt that the going is tough for Cleantech right now.  Investing is slower, there are fewer big success stories to celebrate today, and there are even questions about whether the term is too broad. Despite today’s tough times, many still see opportunities for future success.

Cleantech will forge ahead by:

• Making the most of incremental milestones as demonstrations of progress
• Looking to areas of great need like energy security, infrastructure and China
• Targeting consumers
• Identifying new entry points and leveraging new channels
• Finding immediate market opportunities and target niches
• Innovation in financing, accelerating growth and creating more rapid adoption

Cleantech is not a fad.  We will continue to face global energy and resource problems that clean technologies will address through great innovation.  It will take conviction, consumers, capital, channels, and endurance.

To look forward to the hope of the Cleantech space, you need only look at the Global Cleantech 100. These top 100 private companies in clean technology represent the most promising and innovative ideas in Cleantech today.  You can look to last year’s 2011 Global Cleantech 100 companies who have made  significant market impacts and paved the way for new promising clean technologies.

The 2012 Global Cleantech 100 list will be unveiled this October at the Global Cleantech 100 Summit & Gala.  Which companies will make the list? Who will be the trailblazers forging ahead in Cleantech innovation?

This is your last chance to influence this year’s 2012 Global Cleantech 100 list. The deadline is TOMORROW June 30^th. Make your nominations NOW.