IPO activity trending higher...

Multiple positive indicators regarding the regional (Northern California) economy.

• Ernst & Young LLP released their 4th quarter 2009 IPO Pipeline report, showing IPO activity at a two-year record, meeting pre-recession levels. According to the report, 53 companies entered into registration, 30 IPOs launched, and the overall pipeline increased to 54 registrants. "California had the highest level of activity...with 18 companies in registration". View the source document (HERE).
• Separately, Silicon Valley VC Steve Westly in an interview with Reuters, said he is seeing some "great quality of deals..." Westly went onto say that green technology "is not a bubble and is not going away...it has the potential to become one of the largest sectors". View the entire interview (HERE).

Combine the IPO door "opening", with the smoking bargains that VCs can drive right now, and I don't think it is too big of a leap to forecast green-tech/clean-tech as the current / next "growth" engine for the Bay Area.