The first thing to understand about nanotechnology is that much of the groundwork it being done in university labs. Most nanotech businesses end up spinning off from these labs. Gittins refers to nanotechnology as "the dawn of the next industrial revolution." It will be increasingly important for entrepreneurs to know about and leverage nanotech discoveries. To that end, keep an eye on what the research labs are doing.
Find the business connection. Universities may be where the research happens, but they don't usually specialize in commercialization. There's a need for smart businesspeople to help make that leap. "Nanotechnology is driving a change in the way universities deal with businesses," says Gittins. You don't necessarily have to be a nanotech researcher to bring nanotech advances to the consumer and business markets.Leverage new discoveries. Nanotech is moving right along, and new discoveries are popping up on a regular basis. Keep an eye on the nanotech scene to see if any of the new breakthroughs are right for your business or products.Uncover the compelling reasons. Technology for technology's sake usually isn't a good idea. And that includes nanotech. Just because you can apply a nanotech coating to your existing product, doesn't necessarily mean you should. Look for the compelling reasons for why it truly makes your product better or sets you apart from the competition
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