NanoBusiness Commercialization Association Teams with Center of Innovation for Nanobiotechnology and N.C. Department of Commerce for Groundbreaking Event

The NanoBusiness Commercialization Association has joined the N.C. Department of Commerce and the Center of Innovation for Nanobiotechnology (COIN) to co-host the Nanotechnology Commercialization Conference a groundbreaking event for international nanotechnology stakeholders. Preeminent nanotechnology innovators, cutting edge start-ups, leading researchers, and visionary investors are expected on April 4-5, 2012 at the American Tobacco Campus in Research Triangle, N.C.

Over the last decade, the nanotechnology field has turned the corner from science fiction to multi-billion dollar business, rapidly becoming the center of the materials science field, and has made major game-changing innovations in clean energy, electronics and biotechnology.

“We are very pleased to be teaming with COIN on this exciting event,” noted Vincent Caprio www.vincentcaprio.org, Executive Director of the NanoBCA. He added, “North Carolina is a hotbed for nanotechnology, particularly in the biotechnology sector. There are over 40 NanoBio companies located in North Carolina with leading research undertaken at Duke, UNC, NC State, Wake Forest and the region’s other universities.”

“For several years, North Carolina has been recognized as a top state for nanotechnology research and practical application,” said John Hardin, Executive Director of the Office of Science & Technology in the North Carolina Department of Commerce. “This conference, which focuses on moving nanoscience from the lab to the global market, will both highlight North Carolina’s pioneering role and help participants turn emerging nanotechnologies into skilled, high-wage jobs.”

“Having the founding business organization of the nanotechnology sector, the NanoBusiness Commercialization Association, choose to partner with COIN and N.C. Department of Commerce on this event is most gratifying and demonstrates North Carolina’s leadership in the nanotechnology field,” said Griffith A. Kundahl, Executive Director of COIN.

This event comes on the heels of last summer’s Commercialization of Micro-Nano Systems Conference (COMS) in Greensboro, North Carolina, which was hosted by COIN, and included participants from 18 countries.

About the NanoBCA: The NanoBusiness Commercialization Association was founded in 2001 as the “NanoBusiness Alliance,” the first nonprofit association focused on the commercialization of nanotechnologies. Through its extensive network of leading start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, research institutions, non-governmental organizations and public-private partnerships, the Association shapes national nanotechnology policy and helps accelerate the commercialization of nanotechnology innovations. The NanoBusiness Commercialization Association is based in Washington, D.C. and Shelton, CT.

About N.C. Department of Commerce: N.C. Commerce is the state’s lead economic development agency, developing and implementing strategies around job creation and investment, community and workforce development, and innovation. For more information, see: http://www.nccommerce.com.

About COIN: Established in 2009, COIN is a nonprofit, virtual center of innovation for nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine based in North Carolina. COIN supports those organizations that are most-impacted by the convergence of nano (advanced materials) and bio (life sciences) by ensuring that they have immediate structured access to all relevant resources and a conduit to key regulatory agencies impacting the field. COIN is a premier source of networking opportunities, information, and tailored innovation services that address client needs and catalyze and advance commercialization of nanobiotechnology. Through a network of academic and emerging company researchers, COIN provides access to a myriad of nano-biotechnologies that may be applied across a range of life science sectors. COIN provides a single point of entry to the nanobiotechnology community, connecting key players at the intersection of advanced materials and life sciences.