Brussels, Belgium – The European NanoBusiness Association has been launched with the goal of ensuring that Europe’s strong scientific base in nanotechnology is successfully translated into innovative and dynamic European-based businesses.

The Association aims to provide a neutral platform in which the business, academic, and financial communities can come together to:

– Discuss and promote the development of a dynamic nanotechnology industry;

– Build a common forum through which to rapidly share and disseminate well-researched and realistic information for its members and for public education;

– Promote the development of promising technology arenas;

– Connect its members with the local and global nanotechnology community;

– Monitor and benchmark Europe’s competitive position in relation to the building and commercialization of nanotechnology

“Europe has a tremendous research base in nanotechnology” said Executive Director Tim Harper, “but it is essential that we translate this successfully into world class nanotechnology companies. We aim to bring together the business, financial, and academic communities on a European level, while encouraging and supporting grass roots organizations throughout the continent.”

Advisory board member and Denmark’s first professor of nanotechnology, Francois Grey, added “European industry has had tremendous success in commercializing MEMS, and we are committed to see this repeated across all areas of nanotechnology.”

The association aims to benchmark European progress in nanotechnology commercialization, and to identify areas of strength and encourage best practice from across the continent. “Nanotechnology is already having a tremendous effect, both locally and globally, and there is a growing need to look at this on a European level” said advisory board member and Chairman of the Norwegian NanoBusiness Network Terje Berg.

“Every country has a different strategy towards the industrialization of nanotechnology,” explained advisory board member Jean Charles Guibert of Minatec in France. “By involving industry and governments on a European scale, we can identify which strategies work, and encourage their adoption.”