Welcome to nano4women + Entrepreneurship = NEnA
A nation-wide initiative to promote the entrepreneurial autonomy of young scientists in nanotechnologies

3 Nano-Entrepreneurship-Academies in Germany:
30th of September – 5th of October 2007 at Paderborn
16th – 21st of March 2008 at Halle / Saale
March 2009 at Marburg / Frankfurt/Main

NEnA – what is behind all this?
Nano4women – women4entrepreneurship... in Autum 2005 the network nano4women has been initiated, which was engaged in promoting the
carreers of young female scientists in the future market of nanotechnologies. The start was an international conference of experts promoted by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Especially spin-offs from universities, with team-work as additional aspect, is an increasing important professional option and carreer chance in the field of nanotechnologies. Also for women: The increasing number of female students and graduates in natural sciences support the high potential of innovation of female entrepreneurs in this future oriented and interdisciplinary science nanotechnologies “Nano”.

Why NEnA?
Germany is currently a very good starting basis for the economic realization of activities in nanotechnologies. However the excellence in research does not reflect the whole range of economic feasibility.
In this region there is a high potential for spin-offs from the field of research.
Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary and innovative science and is characterized by an increasing tendency of spin-offs and start-ups from universities. The proof: More than 40 companies have been founded since the introduction of competence centers in nanotechnology, which were initiated to support start-ups. Academic spin-offs are important channels for quick transfer of research results from science to business. Those
spin-offs operate in the technological front line and profit mostly from a direct R&D support by the universities.

Power for female empreneurs!
Within the scope of this BMBF supported action program the initiative NEnA has been launched. It is lead-managed by the University of
Halle (Saale) in cooperation with the Zentrum für Weiterbildung gGmbH (Center for further education) and science2public and a strong network, which operates on a regional and national level in Germany. In three one-week Nano-Entrepreneurship-Academies young female scientists in nanotechnologies and adjacent sciences are offered an innovative as
well as target group and gender specific consultation and qualification representing a tangible and efficient introduction and coaching in respect of theory and practice for entrepreneurship.

NEnA - our concept & programme for You
The „Nano-Entrepreneurship-Academies (NEnAs)“ will take place in turns at the Universities of Paderborn, Halle and Marburg.

NEnA I will start in September 2007 (30th Sept. – 5th of October) in cooperation with the University of Paderborn, NEnA II will take place in March 2008 (16th – 21st) at Halle and 2009, also in March, NEnA III is scheduled in cooperation with the Univesity of Marburg.

The project will be supported by a strong regional and national network of about 70 partners from the field of politics, science and economy, such as the nation-wide gründerinnenagentur (bga) (agency for female entrepreneurs), the initiative for start-ups science4life, Degussa AG, the venture group of Fraunhofer, the action line hessennanotech of the Hessian Department of Trade and Industry, etc.

NEnA – Success factor: Teamwork entrepreneurship
The concept „Nano4women and Entrepreneurship“ for young female scientists is based on a modular, process oriented training and qualification program, with a concept close to economy and focusses on interdisciplinary teamwork entrepreneurship: As especially
nanotechnology as THE interdisciplinary science, which already realizes tangible research projects in interdiciplinary project teams, offers optimum conditions for success.

NEnA – what are the conditions of participation?
The application procedure for the participation in NEnA I at Paderborn started in April 2007. The registration can be obtained via our network online.

The number of participants is limited to 32 per NEnA. Female scientists from universities, research institutes and institutes who operate in the field of nanotechnology can apply for participation with an outline of their idea of entrepreneurship and a brief portrait, which reflects the motivation of participation in NEnA as well as their professional competence.
After a check of the applications received and the selection of the 32 participants per NEnA by the jury and following a detailed analysis of competences (Profiling) the interdisciplinary entrepreneurship teams will be composed (Matching).

Within one week of Neno-Entrepreneurship-Academy these teams develop the necessary skills for a spinoff and a common tangible business idea, which is presented to the jury subsequently.
And after each NEnA the female entrepreneurs have a continuative coaching which facilitates a professional attendance and support with respect to the realisation of their business idea. Our objective is to initiate and accompany spin-offs of young female nano-scientists
within a project network.

NEnA + Carreer move USA
The winners of each NEnA will additionally have the possibility of participating in a special exchange program with the USA in cooperation with Margaret Hines, Evident Technolgies, who is mentor of the nano4women network. Thus they have the possibility
to obtain further competences in international transfer.

Further questions?
For more information please visit the website www.nano4women.com
or contact us directly:

Ilka Bickmann
science2public e.V
Adolf-von-Harnack-St. 18
06114 Halle (Saale)
Germany
Tel: +49 0345 - 2266258
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it +++ This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it +++
www.nano4women.com