A new association focused on facilitating the commercialization of graphene in the United States was launched today.
The new National Graphene Association (NGA; Oxford, Miss.; www.nationalgrapheneassociation.com) will provide a premier networking and information platform to connect current and future stakeholders in the graphene field, drive innovation, and promote and expedite the commercialization of graphene products and technologies in the United States.
The association’s Executive Director, Dr. Zina Jarrahi Cinker, is a fundamental physicist who has devoted her research to the study of graphene and is a consultant and entrepreneur in the field.
“This is a pivotal time for graphene. We are past the hype stage, and with adjusted expectations, we will start seeing much more realistic and steady progress. NGA will provide organized momentum to cultivate cross-industry dialogue and drive the industry forward,” said Cinker.
The association, which has offices in Oxford, Mississippi; Nashville, Tennessee and Washington, D. C., has developed a broad range of membership categories designed for entrepreneurs, emerging and established graphene companies, suppliers and developers, researchers, investors, venture capitalists and government agencies.
“We are excited to create a diverse membership that will convene around the goal of taking graphene commercialization, research and development to the next level in the U.S. and beyond,” said Cinker. “We are creating a platform and a place for graphene stakeholders or anyone with an interest in graphene to collaborate and form strategic partnerships across the entire value chain.”
As a means to further the goals of the association, NGA has also launched a news and information portal, GrapheneEntrepreneur.com.
“We encourage members of NGA and anyone interested in developments to bookmark the site, download the app and follow our social media,” she said. “These GrapheneEntrepreneur.com platforms will be the places where knowledge is shared and conversations happen,” she said.
NGA will have its first industry event, a Graphene Innovation Roundtable, in early October in Nashville, Tenn. at the Music City Center.