SUNY Nanocollege and Albany Law School Partner to Create First-of-its-Kind Nanotechnology Education and Training Program

'Ecosystem for Nanotechnology, Entrepreneurship and Law' (eNTEL) will provide unmatched student experience as launch pad for development of startup companies and attraction of business investment

ALBANY, N.Y., Nov. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In support of Governor Andrew Cuomo's nanotechnology-based education and economic development strategy, the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) and Albany Law School today announced the launch of a joint educational program, "Ecosystem for Nanotechnology, Entrepreneurship and Law" (eNTEL), which will integrate the strengths of each institution to uniquely prepare student entrepreneurs to launch startup companies and attract business investment as a means of further driving New York's fast-growing innovation economy.

Through the eNTEL program, both CNSE and Albany Law will foster a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration that will assemble the experience, knowledge, and expertise of each institution's faculty and staff, as well as practitioners and experts in the Capital Region, to create training opportunities, joint classes and collaborative projects, all intersecting with technology, entrepreneurship, and the law.

Students will work in teams to explore ways to develop products from idea to commercialization; create a "Tech Transfer Practicum" in which students from both CNSE and Albany Law will bring business ideas generated by CNSE student researchers to market; provide Albany Law students with vital real-world experience through placement in an externship with the CNSE Office of Technology Innovation and Commercialization; and, in collaboration with Albany Law's Government Law Center, the school's Tax and Transactions Clinic will provide free start-up legal assistance to selected very early stage businesses and nonprofit organizations, including those founded by CNSE students that have educationally appropriate legal needs. These initiatives will give students from both institutions opportunities to bring ideas to market and grow them into successful businesses to create economic development opportunities in the region, and to provide opportunities for area attorneys to service the businesses after the initial stage.

Portions of the program will be implemented over the next five years, with more than 200 students expected to be trained in the scientific, commercial, and legal aspects of nanoentrepreneurship, simultaneously strengthening the network of alumni, faculty, engineers, entrepreneurs, and practicing attorneys involved with the nanoscale industry in the Capital Region and throughout New York state. Additionally, the program aims to attract top engineering, business, and law students to the region to enhance enrollment at both institutions.

CONTACT: Nick Crounse, 518-445-3208, [email protected]

SOURCE Albany Law School