Christchurch-based venture capital company, Milestone Capital, is negotiating a joint facility for clean technology innovation in China.

Milestone principal and co-founder of institutional investment management firm, Infiniti Capital, Kenji Steven told NBR the Chengdu government was keen to work with New Zealand to bring clean technology to China, although he was sketchy on the details.

A new investment fund is seeking to raise $NZ50 million over the next two years to invest in “the clean energy boom.”

Named after New Zealand nuclear physicist, Ernest Rutherford, the Rutherford Innovation Fund will invest in young New Zealand pre-IPO companies where risk is reduced, investment capital is scarce and the potential returns are highest.