NanoSteel was founded in April 2003 with $3m from investment group Milicom Technologies, which also manages the US Army's OnPoint Technologies venture investment fund, as its first partnership with INEEL before raising $17m in October last year, according to a regulatory filing.

In October 2010, SiOnyx raised $12.5m in its series B round from a consortium including laser maker Coherent.

The round backing the US-based nano-structured steel design company, was also invested in by EnerTech Capital, Fairhaven Capital Partners (including TD Capital) and five existing investors.

The online marketplace for heavy equipment's shareholders are venture firm Accel Partners (19.2%), y Caterpillar (9.63%), Komatsu America Corporation (7.4) and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (19.2%).

Venture firm I2BF Global Ventures is managing the resources, water, and agriculture nanotech fund.

Anton first hatched a strategic cooperation agreement with Schlumberger in 2010 in the areas of drilling fluids and well-cementing services.

The venture firm backed by Alstom, Solvay Rhodia and Schneider Electric invest in the France-based light emitting diode company.

3D printing is right up there as one of the most exciting innovations I have seen.