Media Contact: Kelly Coolbaugh 216-241-8458 kcoolbaugh@nortech.org Ohio Ranks 7th for Nanotechnology Patent and Grant Activity (Cleveland) January 29, 2007 -- Small Times magazine, the leading source for nanotechnology and microtechnology business news, recently announced results for their annual state rankings survey in the category of innovation. The state of Ohio jumped from 16th place in 2005, into seventh place in the survey, making it into the top ten.
Ohio joined the ranks with other top innovative nanotechnology states including: (1) California, (2) New Mexico, (3) Massachusetts, (4) Michigan, (5) Texas and (6) New York. Virginia came in just under Ohio in eighth place, with (9) Colorado and (10) New Jersey also making an appearance on the list.
In 2004 and 2005, Ohio was tenth in the overall state rankings for micro and nanotechnology development. The innovation category is one of five classifications used to generate a state's overall score. They include: venture capital, industry, research, innovation and workforce. In the previous three Small Times issues, analyses of venture capital investment, micro and nanotech density, and research were presented. Though Ohio was not in the top ten for venture capital or industry, Ohio ranked ninth in the research category. The research score takes into account the region’s many assets including NASA Glenn, the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, all offering research programs. “We are very pleased Ohio has been recognized as one of the nation’s top innovative states in the field of nanotechnology. It not only highlights our technology strengths in materials, medicine and manufacturing, but validates the efforts made by our region to create an innovative environment that’s ripe for nanotechnology development and commercialization,” said Chris
Mather, Executive Director of the Nano-Network, a Northeast Ohio-based organization focused on nanotechnology research, commercialization, education, and advocacy.
According to Small Times, grant and patent performance were the determining factors for the innovation category. The two measures include various sub-measures designed to balance out a state's strengths relative to its size and relative to the amount of micro- and nanotechnology activity taking place on a national level. A compilation of the individual categories to determine the overall state ranking in micro and nanotechnology development will be announced in the July/August 2007 issue of Small Times magazine.
About The Nano-Network: The Nano-Network was formed by scientists, entrepreneurs and financiers to improve and expand nanotechnology research and commercialization activities and capacities in Northeast Ohio, and throughout the nation. The Nano-Network is one of the largest and best-known privately funded, "grass roots" nanotechnology organizations in the U.S. The Nano-Network is currently managed by NorTech (www.nortech.org), a regional economic development organization focused on innovation, technology and entrepreneurship in Northeast Ohio. NorTech's relationship with the Nano-Network provides the group with structure, contacts and resources to further promote nanotechnology in Ohio and the United States. www.nanonetwork.org
About NorTech: NorTech’s technology and business leaders are strategic drivers of the region’s technology-based economic development agenda. The organization works to align and leverage regional technology assets to build a globally competitive technology economy in Northeast Ohio. NorTech promotes and fosters technology, innovation, entrepreneurship throughout the region for the benefit of all citizens. www.nortech.org