Methanotech and Turtle Island Recycling

• Per Dan Primack's PE Week Wire, "Methanotech Inc., a Pasadena, Calif.-based startup focused on producing methanol via 'biological processes,' has raised $500,000 in Series A-1 convertible preferred funding, according to a regulatory filing." Methanotech doesn't appear to have a website up yet that I could find. Dan writes that Vinod Khosla of Kleiner Perkins participated in the round, and that Kleiner itself may or may not have participated (given the stage and amount, I'm guessing not, but I don't know).

• PE Week Wire also noted that Ontario's Turtle Island Recycling announced they have received funding from Whitecastle Private Equity Partners. Terms were not disclosed.

• Finally, our hearts go out to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. You can make donations to the Red Cross in support of those so devastatingly impacted here.