Commercialization Resources

An important part of NanoEarth’s mission is to serve as a “destination for discovery” for entrepreneurs and industry innovators. Companies of all sizes – from start-ups to large multi-national corporations – rely on NanoEarth facilities and expertise to answer critical questions at the interfaces of nanotechnology and environmental systems. Through our NanoEarth “Innovation Ecosystem” we strive to build innovative relationships that support industry and help inspire and train a new generation of entrepreneurs who use nanoscale science and engineering to solve global environmental challenges. 

Getting Started: Visit this LINK to learn how you can start using NanoEarth facilities.

Funding: NanoEarth does not want funding stress to be a barrier from using our services. To alleviate this barrier, we have a limited amount of available grant funding to help with travel and instrument usage costs. More information is available here.

Commercialization of emerging nanotechnologies requires innovators and entrepreneurs capable of translating discoveries to commercial manufacturing and production. It’s a tough but thrilling task that requires skill, persistence, and more than a little luck. Below are some resources to help nano entrepreneurs make the leap from discovery to commercialization.  

Local Resources:

• The Apex Center for Entrepreneurs: The Apex Center for Entrepreneurs inspires and empowers Virginia Tech students to turn their passion, purpose, and ideas into action.
• Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC): The mission of the VTCRC is to create a space with purpose where innovators have access to unparalleled resources, partnerships, and opportunities for growth.
• RAMP Regional Accelerator: RAMP connects entrepreneurs to regional entrepreneurship resources including Pitch & Polish clinics, expert mentoring, access to start-up capital.
• VA Center for Innovative Technology (CIT): ​The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) grows and diversifies Virginia's economy by investing in ​and accelerating innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurship. 

National Resources:

• NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps): The nation’s premier program for helping researchers make the transition from the lab to a thriving start-up. Over 10 years, NSF I-Corps has trained more than 5,700 people, helped launch more than 1,200 businesses, and raised more than $1 billion in follow-on funding. 
  • I-Corps™ at NIH: The National Institutes of Health’s version of the NSF I-Corps program
  • Energy I-Corps: The US Department of Energy’s version of the NSF I-Corps program
• SBIR/STTR – Small Business Research Innovation Research: Seed-funding to help launch your US-based small business. 
• NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP): Public-private partnership with centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Helps US-based small and medium sized manufacturers scale up manufacturing, generate sales, streamline operations, secure investment, and create or retain jobs. 
• Resources at other NNCI sites.

Features/Case Studies: Below are a few NanoEarth-affiliated entrepreneurs and companies we’d like to feature:

• Micronic Technologies: Micronic Technologies is transforming industrial wastewater with a revolutionary wastewater treatment technology
• GeoMat LLC: GeoMat transfers scientific research into useful products for cleaning up the environment.
• Promethean Particles: Promethean Particles’ simple three-step approach to nanomaterial development helps reduce risk in new product development and accelerates time to market.
• NanoSafe, Inc.: NanoSafe helps clients in business, government agencies, and academic institutions manage emerging nanotechnology environmental health and safety (EHS) risks.  Our service areas address critical needs of nanotechnology-enabled industries. 

Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Point of Contact: Matthew Hull, mahull@vt.edu