Founders
In 2006, clean energy pioneer Martin Tobias met with Jeff Morris, Director of the Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative (NWETC) at the Washington Technology Center (WTC) to discuss challenges facing clean energy start-ups in the Pacific Northwest. Venture capital had become very risk adverse and seed-stage funding was needed by these young companies to survive and thrive. At the same time, Pacific Northwest angel investors interested in clean energy plays were not seeing enough deal flow through traditional angel groups.
Jeff proposed that WTC fund Northwest Energy Angels with Martin Tobias as Chair and NWETC as manager of the first energy only angel investment group. The group subsequently broadened its scope to include nearly all cleantech companies in addition to clean energy and became independent of WTC.
Northwest Energy Angels currently has about 40 members who have invested over $2 million in 16 companies. NWEA continues to be the premier venue for Accredited Investors wanting a strong deal flow of cutting edge start-ups in clean technologies.
Martin Tobias, Founder and Chairman Emeritus
Martin Tobias is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor and venture capitalist. He is a recognized leader in technology and renewable/green/cleantech who sees the powerful intersection of those worlds driving significant innovation over the next decade.
In September 2008, Martin started Kashless, Inc. directly in the middle of sustainability and technology. Kashless leverages the internet, mobile technology, social networks and local partnerships to make finding stuff to reuse and recycling of your own stuff safe and easy.
Martin led Imperium Renewables as a major investor, CEO and Chairman from May of 2005 thru January 2008. Under his leadership the company grew sales from zero to over $80M, raised over $240M in equity and project debt and scaled their technology from bench to build the largest biodiesel refinery in the world at Gray’s Harbor Washington. Martin is a recognized leader in renewable energy across investment banks, private equity and the analyst community.
Martin has over 10 years experience as a principal investor both privately and through funds. Martin has been a Venture Partner with Ignition Partners (>$800M early stage software and wireless VC) since 2002 working with the infrastructure software and networking team and currently serves on the board of Cloudmark. He has personally invested in over two dozen start-ups, across technology and cleantech. In 2006 he founded the Northwest Energy Angel network and continues to serve on their Board of Directors.
Prior to Ignition, Martin spent 15 years in operating roles in technology companies. Martin was the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of Loudeye Technologies, Inc. (NASDQ: LOUD), a pioneer in digital media production, distribution, and applications. Under his leadership, the company raised over $175M (including an IPO) and grew to be one of the largest providers of digital media enabling solutions for the Internet.
Prior to Loudeye, Martin spent six years with Microsoft in various operational management roles and four years with Andersen Consulting (Accenture). Martin was one of the first Accenture consultants to break the strict formal dress code and wear jeans, a tee-shirt and flip-flops to work, one of the earliest in a string of broken rules which litter and distinguish his career. Martin received his bachelor’s degree in marketing and computer science from Oregon State University. Martin and his companies have been profiled in numerous media outlets including Newsweek, Businessweek, NPR, Wired, Wired house, KIROTV, CNBC, and more. He holds two technology patents. Martin starred in the 1998 motorcycle documentary “Biker Dreams” and is involved in a number of charities through the Martin Tobias Foundation and blogs at DeepGreenCrystals.com
Jeff Morris, Founder
Representative Jeff Morris is a fourth-generation native of the San Juan Islands. He was elected to the State House of Representatives in 1996 where he serves as Speaker Pro Tempore.
As CEO of Energy Horizon, Jeff directs the Pacific Northwest Economic Region's bi-national aggregated energy resource planning, as well as developing distributive generation energy projects. He is a co-founder of Northwest Energy Angels, the first North American angel investing group investing exclusively in new energy technologies.
Jeff is a past director of the Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative (NWETC), headquartered at the Washington Technology Center (WTC). Jeff and his team at WTC worked to accelerate growth of the energy-technology industry in the region. The U.S. Department of Energy recognized his achievements by naming him a "West Coast Power Player."
Jeff is a past Chair of the Council of State Governments West, a past President of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region, and previously served as Political Director for U.S. Representative Al Swift. His legislative contributions were internationally recognized by the Canadian Consulate for eliminating commerce barriers between the two countries. Jeff also graduated as a Toll Fellow from the Council of State Governments Distinguished Leadership Program.
