 |
||
|
|
HistoryThe organization that ultimately became MANCEF (The Micro and Nano Technology Commercialization Education Foundation) was initiated by global leaders in the Small Tech community in the early 1990’s. The organization was created to accelerate the commercialization of micro/nano technologies by connecting researchers, suppliers, funders and policy makers. Before MANCEF, the commercialization of MNT was hindered because the community did not fully understand how to leverage these then unknown technologies. MANCEF was the first international organization to bring together the various players and help fill this gap via The COMS series of Conferences
MANCEF has held COMS in all regions of the world, and has helped many small firms achieve their funding goals. We also assisted centers of excellence and large firms around the world. One example, MEMX, a company that announced their formation at COMS 2000. Another example is a Dutch firm – TMP, and by extension Kymata and Alcatal. We assisted European efforts, first in Darmstadt, Germany, then Oxford, England, the Netherlands and Germany once again. We were the first to support international commercialization conferences in Asia and Australia with a variety of supported events in India, China and Australia. Our mission has always been to break down the barriers between the various stakeholder groups through education, focusing not on data but rather information, knowledge and hopefully wisdom.
The MANCEF mission today remains consistent with our mission created nearly 15 years ago. That is:
Connect:
Commercialize:
Community:
We connect people from all areas of the value chain; including government, industry, and academia; to help them generate and grow business based on micro-nano technologies”
MANCEF’s objectives have been refined over the last 15 years but those that attended our first conference would still recognize them:
- To promote the exchange of knowledge and disseminate information that can accelerate the emergence of an effective economic basis for the future development of Micro and Nanotechnology based industries
- To produce conferences, educational training sessions, international trade shows, seminars and internet-based electronic forums focusing on Micro and Nanotechnology, including commercial and educational opportunities utilizing such technology. This mission and objectives were enabled by MANCEF’s vision - best summed up by our current President Clive Davenport of Australia;
“A financially viable volunteer based organization connecting the global community engaged in the commercialization of emerging technologies through the delivery of vibrant products and programs that delight all those we embrace."
In order to create and maintain a globally connected community, we initiated our first COMS in North America, and now alternate our signature event between the Americas, Europe/Africa and Asia Pacific. For example COMS2008 was held for the first time in Latin America. We achieve Global connectivity through products and programs aimed at meeting the needs of our members in not only North America, Taiwan, Japan and Europe but also to our members in the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Russia and Central and South America.
COMS, and its new regional equivalent known as COMETs, as well as publications such as our series of International Roadmaps for Small Technology, have all had a powerful impact on the globalization of micro/nano markets and research. We also collaborate with other organizations such as ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ION (Institute of Nanotechnology), and FUMEC (US-Mexico Foundation for Science) in developing conferences and workshops around the world.
In conclusion MANCEF members work on the forefront of commercialization issues and education materials for the entire spectrum of people, firms and governmental organizations focused on small tech issues.
Some of the “firsts” our organization has delivered to our community
- We were the first international multi regional organization focused on the specific commercialization issues centered on Small Tech
- We developed the first international conference focused on the commercialization issues of Small Tech
- We were the first to hold and/or co-sponsor a major commercialization conference on 5 continents
- We developed the first truly international roadmap based on both micro and nano technologies
- We were the first to bring all the commercialization stakeholders - industry, academia, government and the public - together under one organization
- We were the first to provide a glossary of terms so that the community could “speak the same language”
- We were the first to highlight the importance of workforce development as an obstacle to Small Tech commercialization Today we have over 30 Organizational & Charter members , and nearly 1000 individual members. We look forward to working with you and your organization. We invite you to become a volunteer and provide new and better efforts of even more value. Please contact our executive director Scott Bryant at +1 505.255.1826 or email info@mancef.org |
