Venture Capital and Private Equity

Kuhns Brothers and its principals have been active venture capital and private equity investors for over 25 years. The Firm's principals made their first venture capital investment in 1981; Kuhns Brothers has managed a venture capital and private equity fund since 1999.

Kuhns Brothers' venture capital and private equity investments typically focus on power technology, energy, infrastructure and China-related investments.

As practiced by Kuhns Brothers, venture capital refers to the process of making investments in very early-stage private companies. In its venture capital investments, the Firm is typically the initial professional investor, and it generally only participates as a lead investor. In many cases, Kuhns Brothers' venture capital opportunities will have unique technology, patents or know how related to the electric power industry. Typically, Kuhns Brothers' venture capital investments will evidence an exit strategy within a 5 year time horizon.

As practiced by Kuhns Brothers and its affiliates, private equity investing refers to the process of making investments in both private and public companies that are profitable, and need additional capital to optimize their business.

In addition to their investment activities, the Firm's founders have had successful careers as founders of start up companies themselves, enabling the Firm to bring a special dimension of experience to its venture capital practice.

As a venture capitalist, Kuhns Brothers commits its own capital as a principal while also serving as a partner or an investment advisor to others who invest alongside the Firm. Kuhns Brothers takes a leading role in every step of a new venture's investment process, working with management and other investors to create and implement a business plan, and build a successful company.

Historically, the Firm and its principals have made venture capital investments in Catalyst Energy Corporation, International Power Technology Corporation, Obermeyer Hydraulic Turbines, Northern Power Systems (Please click here to visit their website)[*add link] and other companies.

Currently, the Firm's venture capital portfolio includes investments in these selected portfolio companies:

Ameriteak
Ameriteak is a developer and manager of teak plantations. Teak plantations represent an outstanding opportunity for carbon sequestration, a major weapon in the fight against global warming and air pollution. Please click here to visit their website.

GenSelf Corporation
GenSelf is a leading seller of photovoltaic systems to residential and light industrial customers in Southern California. Please click here to visit their website.

Global Photonic Energy Corporation
GPEC is a leading developer of organic carbon-based photovoltaic cells and other energy-related nanotechnology. Please click here to visit their website

Distributed Power, Inc.
Distributed Power (OTC: "DDPW") is an owner and operator of electric generation projects, particularly distributed generation, or "DG". The DG systems are sold with a fixed price electric power purchase agreement ("PPA's"), and are located on the premises of industrial and commercial customers in California, New York and other areas where existing electric rates are high. Please click here to visit their website.

The Solar Electric Light Company
SELCO sells solar home systems to thousands of customers in India, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Please click here to visit their website.