With a prize of 600,000 Euros in a competition that’s been opened to anyone in the world, you may want to give this a look. From the May 31, 2012 news item on Nanowerk (Note: I have removed a link),
Nanochallenge and Polymerchallenge is the unique international business plan competition, completely focused on nanotechnology and polymer-based materials. It awards one of the largest worldwide prizes for the creation of new high tech enterprises.
600.000 Euro are at stake for this year 8th contest.
Just like previous years, the Competition is open to inventors, students, Phd, scientists, researchers and to start ups with less than three years of life. Participants are supposed to present a business project featuring breakthrough innovation in nanotechnology and polymer-based material.
You can find more details about applying on the 2012 NanoChallenge and Polymerchallenge website. If I read the home page rightly, you will be expected, if successful, to locate your startup in Italy,
Since 2005 Nanochallenge rewards the best international startup projects in nanotechnology, uncovering breakthrough nanotechnology applications and attracting the best entrepreneurial talents, in order to give them the actual opportunity to create a startup.
Nanochallenge is an international business plan competition organized by Veneto Nanotech, the Italian Cluster of Nanotechnology and, since 2007, by IMAST, Technological District on polymeric and composite materials engineering and structures.
Veneto Nanotech and IMAST aim at attracting the best nanotechnology innovations / polymer-based materials applications and business ideas in the Clusters, offering financial and strategic support to scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs ready to start a real company.
The new entrepreneurs have access to our facilities, labs, instruments and financial network to develop their technologies and products. This helps them speed the development phase and enter the market.
Good luck to anyone who chooses to enter. The first deadline (register online and submit an executive summary) is July 19, 2012.