Draker Laboratories Secures Capital And Partners For Upcoming Product Launch

Released on: August 11, 2008, 10:29 am

Press Release Author: Draker Laboratories

Industry: Energy

Press Release Summary: Campbell Scientific, FreshTracks Capital, The Nathaniel Group
& Vermont's Clean Energy Development Fund Band Together to Support Innovative
Renewable Energy Startup

Press Release Body: Burlington, VT-August 4, 2008-Draker Laboratories ("Draker")
announces a series of partnerships and the securing of a significant investment
today. These partnerships and investment greatly improves Draker's ability to grow
the company's position in the renewable energy monitoring industry. This exciting
development includes strategic alliances with Campbell Scientific and the Nathaniel
Group as well as investments from FreshTracks Capital II L.P and the State of
Vermont through its Clean Energy Development Fund. Draker is now on track to
complete the development of a next generation renewable energy monitoring product
that will be unveiled at the Solar Power 2008 conference in San Diego, CA this fall.
"We are excited about the strategic infrastructure Draker has assembled through
this transaction," said AJ Rossman, founder and CEO of Draker, "these partnerships
allow Draker to better serve the commercial renewable energy sector through improved
hardware, software and customer support"

"Campbell Scientific dataloggers have been an integral part of Draker's product line
since its inception and solidifying this relationship signals the strong endorsement
we have for Draker's superior product offering, as well as for the rapidly growing
renewable energy industry," commented Joshua Campbell. Joshua Campbell joined
Draker's Board of Directors simultaneous with the closing of the Series A financing.

The Nathaniel Group, based in Vergennes, VT, has been a critical partner in Draker's
product development; their financial commitment to Draker represents an informed and
powerful vote of confidence in Draker's product line.

The Clean Energy Development Fund, an agency fund housed at the Department of Public
Service and chartered to promote the development and deployment of cost-effective
and environmentally sustainable electric power resources, also invested in this
round. \"Draker\'s technology efficiently solves a critical issue for renewable
generation projects. Vermont\'s emerging renewable energy industry is also
benefiting from their growth as they attract and develop great engineers for this
specialty. Draker\'s work with other Vermont companies, as suppliers and partners,
is broadening participation in this critical field. We were gratified to work with
especially competent lead investors for our first equity investment.\" Lawrence
Miller, Chair, Investment Committee VT Clean Energy Development Fund.


"We have been watching Draker for close to 3 years now, and have been impressed with
their progress in the market," noted Lee Bouyea, Managing Director of FreshTracks
Capital. The increased productization of their monitoring solution when combined
with a number of new key accounts and sales wins indicated to us that Draker had met
a critical inflexion point, and that it was the right time to invest." Bouyea also
joined Draker's Board of Directors at the closing of the transaction.

This Series A investment allows the company to hire several new staff members in the
coming weeks including a VP of Sales and Business Development. Some capital will
also be allocated to Sales & Marketing budget, while the remainder will further the
company's R&D efforts. Draker's commitment to innovation that meets the needs of
their customers is now backed with proper funding.


About Draker Laboratories
Founded in 1999 as Draker Solar Design, Draker Laboratories T provides
high-performance monitoring and data management systems for green power
technologies, including: PV, solar thermal, wind, and hybrid energy systems. This
allows installers and owners to optimize system performance, maximize return on
investment and provide appropriate documentation for government and
performance-based contracts.

About Campbell Scientific
Founded in 1974, Campbell Scientific manufactures dataloggers, data acquisition
systems, and measurement and control products used worldwide in research and
industry. Campbell Scientific instrumentation is known for its flexibility,
precision measurements, and dependability-even in harsh, remote environments. Since
inception, over 150,000 systems have been delivered worldwide. Investment in Draker
Laboratories is an opportunity to work more closely with capable individuals with a
shared interest in renewable energy.

About FreshTracks Capital
Founded in 2001, FreshTracks Capital, L.P. (www.freshtrackscap.com) is a venture
capital fund based in Shelburne, VT with $25MM under management. FreshTracks Capital
II has invested in 5 companies to date, including NativeEnergy, ISIS, NEHP, Draker
Labs and SolarOne. The Fund focuses its investments in private growth-oriented
businesses, primarily companies in close geographic proximity to Vermont.
FreshTracks is an affiliate fund in the Village Ventures national network of funds,
which collectively have close to $500 million in capital under management, directed
by some 35 venture professionals in 14 distinct funds.

About Nathaniel Group, Inc.
Founded in 1984, Nathaniel Group is a design and manufacturing firm located in
Vergennes, VT. They have been providing highly complex medical products to customers
world-wide since 1987. They have a great deal of experience creating practical and
elegant solutions to complex design and manufacturing problems. They are currently
working on some very innovative technology and new product development in the
scientific lighting and concentrated PV markets.


Web Site: http://www.drakerlabs.com

Contact Details: 27 North Street
Burlington, VT
Contact: Rob Conboy
(802) 865-3866
rob@drakerlabs.com

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