The size of a nanotechnology firm positively influenced commercialization, but the number of years in business did not significantly influence commercialization. Thus, technology based start-ups are not handicapped and are not necessarily less likely to have commercialization success than those with more market experience.
NT converging with IT or BT, may have a positive influence on nanotechnology commercialization in helping to secure new markets, but considering the emerging characteristics of NT, the convergence will eventually result in radical change, thus lowering the rate of successful commercialization. Hence, we impose the following hypothesis.
Rather than R&D intensity, R&D focus is important for nanotechnology commercialization. However, the result is against common perception. Application-oriented R&D usually leads to better commercialization results, but is struggling in nano-technologies. Research on basic science needs to be consistently pushed.
Therefore, R&D data were obtained from South Korean government database. Out of 206 firms investigated, approximately 41 % had participated in nanotechnology-related government R&D projects, and received an average 203 million won (about $0.2 million) of government funding. Companies in the nanomaterials field received maximum benefits.