Creating Nanotechnology Partnerships

The Center’s unique services model is based on creating the optimum partnerships between nanomaterials researchers, entrepreneurs, small and large companies to reduce the risk of creating new products and processes using nanotechnology. These partnerships then submit proposals to the Center for commercialization projects.

The Center helps these partnership teams develop a focused new product development project as the main driver for company success. This project defines clear requirements to successfully commercialize the technology into a product with real market need.

The Center works with its clients throughout the entire commercialization process as follows:

Stage 1: Pre-project

At the pre-project and proposal stage, the Center proactively creates opportunities for matching advanced nanomaterials technologies with product applications. The Center plays a matchmaking role to bring together the right university researcher and commercial partners. For example, a company may be seeking a research partner to solve a difficult technical challenge which is hindering a new product from reaching the market. Conversely, a university researcher may wish to market his or her technology capability to companies.

In addition, the Center invites private investor organizations to contact the Center to refer start-up companies in nanomaterials which are too early for private investment. These companies may benefit from one of the Center’s grants to develop the product concept further and make the start-up company more attractive to private investors at a later time.

Stage 2: Project

While the Center is working with companies and research partners during the project, the Center provides hands on project management expertise and advice. The Center works closely with each of its project partners during the commercialization project. If difficulties occur during execution of the project, the Center proactively assists the client company find additional partners to overcome the problem. Once a company becomes a project partner with the Center, the Center provides free marketing of that small company to the Center’s other partnering organizations.

Stage 3: Post-project

After project close, the Center maintains contact with its project clients providing deal brokering services and referrals to interested Angel and Venture Capital investors.

Contact us to discuss how the Center can help create partnership opportunities.

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