Advanced materials and nanotechnology are the foundational enablers of next-generation innovation — powering breakthroughs in semiconductors, clean energy, space systems, medical science, and advanced manufacturing.

Investment Thesis

		Global demand for performance materials is accelerating across energy, electronics, aerospace, mobility, and healthcare.
		Nanotechnology innovation cycles are shortening, driven by AI-enabled modeling, advanced simulation tools, and rapid prototyping.
		Major policy and industrial initiatives (US IRA, EU Chips Act, China’s Made in 2025) are boosting investment in critical materials.
		Materials act as bottlenecks and strategic chokepoints in semiconductors, batteries, and clean energy systems, creating strong pricing power.
		Breakthroughs in materials often drive downstream revolutions, enabling entirely new product categories and markets.
		High IP defensibility and long R&D cycles create durable competitive advantages for leading companies.
		The sector remains under-owned in private markets, offering significant opportunities before institutional capital enters at scale.

Key Subsectors & Value Chain

		Advanced Materials ·       Structural composites (carbon fiber, ceramic matrices) ·       Battery materials (solid-state, silicon anodes, advanced electrolytes) ·       High-temperature alloys & superalloys ·       Lightweight aerospace materials ·       Meta-materials & photonic materials ·       Smart materials (shape-memory, piezoelectric)
		Nanotechnology ·       Nanostructured materials (nanotubes, graphene, nanowires) ·       Nano-coatings & surface engineering ·       Nanofabrication & nanoscale lithography ·       Nanomedicine (drug delivery, diagnostics) ·       Nano-enabled sensors & photonics
		Enabling Platforms ·       Materials informatics & AI-driven materials discovery ·       Advanced manufacturing tools (ALD, CVD, PVD systems) ·       Simulation and modeling software ·       Characterization, testing, and metrology technologies

What CAND Looks For

CAND evaluates opportunities in this sector based on:

·       Defensible IP portfolios and high technical barriers to entry

·       Clear value-added differentiation in critical industrial applications

·       Strategic alignment with emerging megatrends (AI, electrification, space, biotech)

·       Scalable production models, with credible pathways to unit cost reduction

·       Capital-efficient commercialization, especially B2B enterprise adoption

·       Strong partnerships with OEMs, research institutions, and industrial buyers

·       Regulatory clarity and supply-chain advantages in key markets

Risks & Considerations

·       Lengthy R&D and validation cycles

·       Technical scaling challenges (yield, consistency, throughput)

·       Capital intensity at pilot and production scale

·       Regulatory and safety considerations in certain applications

·       Customer adoption timelines, especially in aerospace, automotive, or healthcare

·       Geographic sensitivity of supply chains and critical raw materials

CAND incorporates these factors into a holistic evaluation framework.

How CAND Helps Investors Navigate This Sector

CAND leverages a global network of scientists, engineers, founders, and advanced manufacturing experts to identify high-potential companies early in their development cycles. Our evaluation integrates:

·       technical assessment

·       competitive moat analysis

·       supply-chain mapping

·       scalability evaluation

·       regulatory and geopolitical considerations

·       AI-assisted data and literature analysis

This allows us to filter opportunities rigorously and connect qualified investors with emerging leaders long before institutional capital enters the market.