One Chapter Ends, Another Begins

As some of you already know, I’ve decided to depart Energy Innovations towards the middle of this year. I remain bullish about the solar concentrator market opportunity and about Energy Innovations' business in particular. The company is headed in a very exciting direction, under great leadership, and with strong investor support. The reason for my decision is straightforward: I want to get back on the CEO track, my family is not ready to move to Pasadena, and I think the timing is right to start something really big.

I joined Energy innovations a little over a year ago following the acquisition of my company, Prevalent Power.  I’m generally pleased with the accomplishments I had a hand in: integrating Prevalent Power’s business into Energy Innovations, launching a highly effective pre-commercial sales effort, closing Energy Innovations’ first outside round of financing, and continuing the rapid growth of our flat panel PV business.

In addition to being a productive year, it was also a great opportunity to learn. As a leader and entrepreneur, I’m fascinated with organizational development, personal/professional development, management, strategic planning, capital raising, etc.—each of which is a topic that has endless depth and nuance. I had the fortune to work with a strong team at Energy Innovations, Idealab, and Mohr Davidow Ventures, including people like Bill Gross, Andrew Beebe, Erik Straser, Geoff Moore, Chris Tilley, Bruce Falck, Ken Sowards, Bill Bottenberg, Asif Ansari, and many others. Engaging with other talented people to solve problems, run projects, and manage people often reveals new dimensions, techniques, tools, or ideas that lead me to change my own approach—or it may simply serve to confirm that I like my own approach better. In either case, I’m better for having had the experience.

So what’s next? While I’m keeping an eye on solar opportunities, I’m focusing most of my free time developing the early stages of a new business idea. The focus is on cracking a very tough environmental problem, household greenhouse gas emissions. I’m spending the weekend in Moab with my good friend Rick Moss, who has a brilliant business mind and is skilled at developing an idea through conversation. In between tackling the slick rock bike trails, we’ve been brainstorming and defining the core business idea. I have a long way to go and a lot of people to talk to before I can confidently say I’ve nailed the model and strategy. But that process of developing an idea is one of the things I love most and I’m looking forward to it.

I’m planning to post more as I move forward with the plan, perhaps even soliciting input from readers as my friend Chris Anderson has for his forthcoming book The Long Tail. There’s something intriguing about harnessing the power of many minds to solve a tough problem.

Comments

[Joe Garma]

I've been following events at Energy Innovations and had wondered where you would fit long term. No surprise that you're moving on. Much luck with your new venture.

[honda-radio]

Thx! :)