Wondering what the general emotion of the cleantech venture sector is right now?

The three posts I put up today (here, here and here) should paint the picture pretty well.

Things are happening.  Deals are getting done.  Startups are making progress, moving into production and revenue phases.  Some exits are taking place.  Emotion: Cautious optimism.

But funding remains tight.  And companies are having to take inside-led rounds to get by.  Moving into production phases makes that challenge even more acute.  Investors are backing their companies through a few months hoping they'll be able to unlock additional funding quickly, from one source or another.  But economic jitters continue, while a large number of cleantech venture investors are out of dry powder and already or soon to be out raising money from somewhat skeptical LPs.  So the funding spigot seems unlikely to open back up really soon.  Plus, the US Senate pulled the rug out from under everyone, stealing critical momentum.  Emotion: Anxious.

For many cleantech companies, particularly those involved in production of solar, biofuels, vehicles and batteries, it really feels like a pressure period right now.