Comments on: Blunt advice on nanotechnology investing http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?p=2411 examining transformative technology Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:23:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Shayan Naveed http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?p=2411#comment-1115771 Shayan Naveed Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:17:52 +0000 http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?p=2411#comment-1115771 Investing in private companies involved in nanotechnology in my view could be quite risky. Most companies are just trying to make profit and working for a <a href="www.nano.ait.asia" rel="nofollow">nanotechnology R&D center</a> as a marketer and dealing with private companies, there always a paradigm shift. Also not to mention, the goals and objectives are different. The goals of R&D centers are almost always for scientific goals to better man-kind and investing in these programs/centers would be a way better and profitable venture than going for the companies. The investors would be going straight to the source and save costs as well. Also R&D centers or university labs always require partnerships and investments to fund their work. It's a win-win. Investing in private companies involved in nanotechnology in my view could be quite risky. Most companies are just trying to make profit and working for a nanotechnology R&D center as a marketer and dealing with private companies, there always a paradigm shift. Also not to mention, the goals and objectives are different.

The goals of R&D centers are almost always for scientific goals to better man-kind and investing in these programs/centers would be a way better and profitable venture than going for the companies. The investors would be going straight to the source and save costs as well. Also R&D centers or university labs always require partnerships and investments to fund their work. It’s a win-win.

]]> By: Pearl Chin http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?p=2411#comment-258535 Pearl Chin Sat, 09 Jun 2007 13:31:05 +0000 http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?p=2411#comment-258535 There are ways to invest in private companies. If you like one, there is no reason not to call them directly but the money you are investing should be worth some of their time to speak to you. You may come in as a private investor or an angel investor and there may be some SEC eligibility rules. The other alternative is to become part of an investment fund vehicle, whether it be angel investment or venture capital which also has some eligibility rules. The stakes are a bit higher here but the difference between the two is scale and often the approach by which they manage their investments or invested companies. Then there is always the rather vaguely defined "friends and family" route. You could loan the money and possibly have a situation where the debt is converted to equity at a later date. All situations should consult legal advice. There are ways to invest in private companies. If you like one, there is no reason not to call them directly but the money you are investing should be worth some of their time to speak to you. You may come in as a private investor or an angel investor and there may be some SEC eligibility rules. The other alternative is to become part of an investment fund vehicle, whether it be angel investment or venture capital which also has some eligibility rules. The stakes are a bit higher here but the difference between the two is scale and often the approach by which they manage their investments or invested companies. Then there is always the rather vaguely defined “friends and family” route. You could loan the money and possibly have a situation where the debt is converted to equity at a later date. All situations should consult legal advice.

]]> By: Phillip Huggan http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?p=2411#comment-123410 Phillip Huggan Sun, 11 Feb 2007 02:07:55 +0000 http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?p=2411#comment-123410 Another comment (sry just thought of it after sending the last post), there are many universities with nanotechnology-related programs where it is stated they are looking for commercial partners ($$) for their nanoproducts. Going through University websites one by one should yield some nanopotential. Another comment (sry just thought of it after sending the last post), there are many universities with nanotechnology-related programs where it is stated they are looking for commercial partners ($$) for their nanoproducts. Going through University websites one by one should yield some nanopotential.

]]> By: Phillip Huggan http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?p=2411#comment-123408 Phillip Huggan Sun, 11 Feb 2007 02:05:12 +0000 http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?p=2411#comment-123408 Because of twin deficit concerns, tax base erosion via tax-cuts (and a steadily rising debt) I wouldn't invest any money in USD denominated holdings at present. Nanotechnology investments are risky. Often the nanotech companies are underfunded and big players are just waiting for them to burn through their capital to snap them up at a premium. Existing materials science or chemical or semiconductor companies with nanotech exposure may be the safest play for now. A BASF or a Siemens. 3M or IBM if it must be a US asset. Of course, there are lots of nanotech killer apps waiting and playing it safe will miss out on the big money. I'd like to invest in a company like Nanosolar, but like many companies they are private. Because of twin deficit concerns, tax base erosion via tax-cuts (and a steadily rising debt) I wouldn’t invest any money in USD denominated holdings at present.
Nanotechnology investments are risky. Often the nanotech companies are underfunded and big players are just waiting for them to burn through their capital to snap them up at a premium.

Existing materials science or chemical or semiconductor companies with nanotech exposure may be the safest play for now. A BASF or a Siemens. 3M or IBM if it must be a US asset. Of course, there are lots of nanotech killer apps waiting and playing it safe will miss out on the big money.

I’d like to invest in a company like Nanosolar, but like many companies they are private.

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