Bill Wiberg, general partner for clean-tech investor Advanced Technology Ventures, thinks that an increase in merger and acquisition and offering opportunities will also fuel investor optimism and new investments.

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"The unique thing they've got is the ability to go find people with 25 or 30 years of experience and get them excited enough to follow them, " Wiberg says.

FORBES: $100 Oil? We Love It

Wiberg of ATV acknowledges the idea then consisted mostly of old research and a big potential market but says he bet on the team's ability to get results fast.

FORBES: $100 Oil? We Love It