Rice Alliance Hosts 9th Annual Nanotechnology & Sustainability Venture Forum

HOUSTON – (February 05, 2010)- The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship will host its 9th Annual Nanotechnology and Sustainability Venture Forum on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business in McNair Hall.

“More than 20 emerging nanotechnology companies from across the U.S. will showcase new nanotechnologies in energy, clean tech, medicine, consumer products and advanced materials,” said Brad Burke, managing director of the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship. “Four hundred plus investors and venture capitalists, industry representatives, business leaders, and entrepreneurs will be in attendance to learn about these promising new advancements.”

Attendees will develop heightened understandings of investment opportunities in the industry as they hear from the nation’s most prominent venture capitalists in nanotechnology. Industry experts, including professionals and leading scholars, will provide insight into how emerging nanotechnology applications are being utilized by businesses today, and will share predictions for the future of nanotechnology.

Keynote speakers include: Matthew Nordan, Vice President, Venrock; Josh Wolfe, Founding & Managing General Partner, Lux Capital Management; and Pearl Chin, PhD, Managing Director, Seraphima Ventures.

Rice University faculty members will discuss industry related topics:

• Wade Adams, PhD – 25th Anniversary of the BuckyBall Discovery
  

  Director, Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology

• Andrew R. Barron, PhD – Applications in Energy

  
  

  Charles W. Duncan, Jr. – Welch Chair of Chemistry and Professor of Materials Science,
  Associate Dean, Industry Interactions and Technology Transfer

• Enrique V. Barrera, PhD – Applications in Electronics and Energy

  
  

  Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science,
  Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science

• Pedro Alvarez, PhD – Applications in Water Purification and Reuse

  
  

  Department Chair and George R. Brown Professor of Engineering

The event will culminate with a company showcase and networking reception.

Twenty pre-selected nanotechnology companies will present 5-minute business plans during the forum, incuding: AeonClad Coatings; BioTomoPty Ltd.; CNC, Inc.; Continental Carbon Nanotechnologies, Inc.; FiberCell, Inc.; FibeRio Technology Corporation; Graphene Energy, Inc.; Labnow, Inc.; Lighten the Load, Inc.; n3D Biosciences, Inc.; Nanocomposites; Nanocopoeia; NanoRidge Materials; Nanospectra Biosciences, Inc.; NatCore; NovaCentrix; Oxane Materials; QEL; Solterra Renewable Technologies; and Vista Therapeutics.
 
The forum is underwritten by Winstead and co-hosted by the Rice University Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology. Additional supporters include: Rice Center for Biological & Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN); National Science Foundation (NSF); BusinessMakers Radio Show; Houston Business Journal; Greater Houston Partnership; and the Houston Technology Center.

The pre-registration deadline for the Nanotechnology and Sustainability Venture Forum is February 15. The event is free to members of The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and full-time Rice University students, faculty and staff. The pre-registration cost for members of the general public is $75. The cost for all individuals who do not register prior to February 15 is $85.

For information about the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship or to register for the forum, call 713-348-3443 or visit www.alliance.rice.edu.

The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship (Rice Alliance) is Rice University’s nationally-recognized initiative devoted to the support of technology commercialization, entrepreneurship education, and the launch of technology companies.  It was formed as a strategic alliance of three schools: the George R. Brown School of Engineering, the Wiess School of Natural Sciences and the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management.
 
Since inception, the Rice Alliance has assisted in the launch of more than 250 start-ups which have raised more than half a billion dollars in early-stage capital. More than 750 companies have presented at the 115+ programs hosted by the Rice Alliance.
 
Recent recognition:

• 2009 #5 U.S. Graduate Entrepreneurship Program – Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine
• 2009 Outstanding Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership & Excellence in Specialty
  Entrepreneurship Education - GCEC
• 2009 Outstanding Specialty Entrepreneurship Program – USASBE
• 2008 Houston’s Greatest Economic Development Ally – Greater Houston Partnership
• 2007 Outstanding Enterprise Creation Award – GCEC

For additional information:

href="http://www.alliance.rice.edu">www.alliance.rice.edu.

News Source : Rice Alliance Hosts 9th Annual Nanotechnology & Sustainability Venture Forum