Now more than ever, renewable energy and clean tech groups at all parts of expansion should place themselves with competent leaders who can run their firms through these uncertain times and be ready to expand their ventures at the first signs of economic recovery. Ira Ehrenpresis, General Partner at venture capital firm Technology Partners, highlighted the significance of human capital when it comes to supporting clean tech firms. “First and foremost we give money to people. We fund strong leaders, CEO’s with whom we feel are capable of returning to our General Partners, incredible returns,” the businessman said.

Strong executive leadership means a commitment to excellence and the ability to sell an idea. Erik Straser, Partner at Mohr Davidow Ventures has invested a huge amount of time enlisting CEOs to his client collection. “The one common trait that we look for in a CEO is their outgoing-ness and ability to sell to everyone and everywhere throughout the firm’s steps toward commercialization and well beyond,” said Straser.

While firms and companies may be laying-off hundreds of employees and catapulting the U.S. and European nations to unparalleled unemployment levels in 10 years, several clean tech firms look for a chance in the current economic climate to improve their leadership ranks and promote their reserve of talents. Whether renewable energy firms are just faced with fiscal restrictions and budgetary concerns, being able to persevere is the solution when it comes to looking for the right executive leadership.