Frankfurt am Main, January 2, 2006 - Nanostart AG has increased its shareholding in ItN Nanovation GmbH by exercising an exclusive option. As a result of this, Nanostart AG has doubled its direct stake in ItN Nanovation GmbH.

"Having taken over the investment company VentureTech in the autumn of last year, we have been able to again significantly increase our stake in ItN Nanovation by exercising this option", claims Marco Beckmann, CEO of Nanostart AG. "Thanks to its dynamic growth, ItN Nanovation is well on the way towards becoming one of the national cornerstones of our investment portfolio."

Manfred Volz, Managing Director of ItN Nanovation GmbH, adds: "In the past few months Nanostart AG has proved a reliable partner. By exercising its option, Nanostart AG is recognising our previous successes and underscoring its confidence in our growth strategy."

ItN Nanovation GmbH has belonged to the investment portfolio of Nanostart AG since spring 2005. The company, with its main offices in Saarbrücken and a production site in Halberstadt, is one of the most quickly expanding nanotechnology companies in the world and is recognised in specialist circles as a leading German nanotechnology company.

With the complete takeover of VentureTech Equity-Partners GmbH, an investment company and now 100-percent subsidiary of Nanostart AG, the Frankfurt-based nanotechnology investment company had already indirectly acquired shares in ItN Nanovation GmbH at the end of October last year. Jointly with VentureTech Equity-Partners GmbH, Nanostart AG is now the largest shareholder in ItN Nanovation GmbH.

About ItN Nanovation GmbH:
ItN Nanovation GmbH develops and produces nano-scaled materials and processes them into, among other things, innovative products for catalysts, filter systems, surface refining and sensors. Besides its main offices in Saarbrücken, the company also runs a production site in Halberstadt where it maintains Europe’s most modern production factory for ceramic nanotech filters.

About Nanostart AG:
Nanostart AG is a listed nanotechnology investment company whose activities are divided into two areas: one of its focuses is investing in fast-growing nanotechnology companies; its other key area of activity is advising companies in the financial industry on investments in the nanotechnology sector.

Disclaimer:
This notification represents neither an offer to sell nor an invitation to submit an offer to buy or subscribe securities. The admission of the shares of Nanostart AG in the sub-segment of the Open Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the Entry Standard, does not constitute a public offer of securities. This notification does not represent a securities prospectus. This notification and the information contained therein is not intended to be passed on, whether directly or indirectly, to or within the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan.

Media contact:
Nanostart AG
Public Relations
Dr. Hans Joachim Dürr
Goethestrasse 26-28
60313 Frankfurt
Germany
phone: +49 (0)69-21 93 96 111
fax:     +49 (0)69-21 93 96 122
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