Emerald Technology Ventures successfully exits Schmack Biogas AG and Pemeas GmbH

Zurich-Montreal, March 15, 2007 -- Emerald Technology Ventures, formerly SAM Private Equity, has successfully exited two separate investments in German clean technology companies. Emerald recently divested its remaining position in Schmack Biogas nine months after the company’s successful IPO on the Frankfurt Prime Standard stock exchange. Schmack went public on May 24, 2006 and by February 14, 2007 had seen its share price increase by 77%. In May 2005, Emerald, through its SAM Private Equity Fund, co-led a venture financing in the once privately held turn-key supplier of biogas plants which convert agricultural biomass and renewable feedstock into methane rich gas. “Our involvement in Schmack Biogas has provided an impressive return to our investors that is comparable to traditional venture capital industry sectors like information technology” commented Philipp Hasler, Investment Director of Emerald and a former Director of Schmack. “At the time of our investment we anticipated strong growth in the market and are very pleased that Schmack has emerged as one of the global leaders in the biogas sector”.

In a separate transaction, Emerald has fully exited its investment in fuel cell assembly manufacturer Pemeas following the company’s acquisition by BASF Future Business GmbH, a 100 percent subsidiary of BASF AG which is focused on developing new business areas with above-average growth rates. Pemeas has developed a break-through high-temperature fuel cell membrane assembly for use in a wide range of applications such as consumer electronic devices and backup power systems. Emerald, through its SAM Private Equity Fund, invested in Pemeas through two rounds of financing starting in 2004. “Our initial investment enabled Pemeas to spinoff the fuel cell activities of the former Hoechst Group” commented Gianni Operto, Partner of Emerald and a former Director of Pemeas. “BASF, as a leading chemical company, is strengthening its activities in the field of energy management and this transaction represented an excellent opportunity for both Pemeas and its shareholders”.

“Our most recent pair of exits further demonstrates the ability of the Emerald team to identify and support emerging high-growth clean technology companies” commented Gina Domanig, Managing Partner of Emerald. “It also supports our view that Europe is an important market for the cleantech sector and demonstrates that venture-backed companies located in Europe are capable of delivering superior returns to their investors”.

About Emerald Technology Ventures
Emerald Technology Ventures AG is a global leader in cleantech venture capital. Founded in 2000 under the name SAM Private Equity, Emerald is a pioneer in this rapidly emerging sector and is focused on innovative technologies in energy, materials and water. From offices in Zurich, Switzerland and Montreal, Canada, Emerald manages three venture capital funds and two venture capital portfolio mandates totalling over EUR 250 million (US$300 million). Emerald is currently investing out of its latest fund and is looking for energetic and passionate entrepreneurs with the vision to build world-class clean technology companies. www.emerald-ventures.com
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Emerald Technology Ventures (formerly SAM Private Equity)
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