Frankfurt – January 2, 2008 – Nanostart AG has appointed Close Brothers Seydler AG as its Designated Sponsor effective January 1, 2008. The bank is a leader in securities trading, with block trading of mid-caps and small-caps among its special areas of focus. It will make a market in the shares of Nanostart AG on the XETRA electronic trading system as well as on all of the German stock exchanges. As of January 2, 2008, Close Brothers Seydler AG (CBS) has taken over quoting in shares of Nanostart AG on the XETRA electronic trading system.

Along with Close Brothers Seydler, Steubing AG will remain a Designated Sponsor for Nanostart AG. “Close Brothers Seydler AG possesses proven expertise in the areas of nanotechnology and biotechnology,” says Peter Ensel, Head of Financial Markets at Nanostart AG. “That makes it an ideal partner for us in the context of our current expansion strategy.” In addition to maximizing market liquidity, the responsibilities of Close Brothers Seydler will include investor relations support, targeted approaches to institutional investors, and accompanying on roadshows.

“We are very pleased that Nanostart has appointed us, as market leader in Designated Sponsoring. The unique positioning of Nanostart as an investment company in the field of nanotechnology opens numerous possibilities for cooperation with us,” says René Parmantier, Head of Designated Sponsoring at Close Brothers Seydler AG. Close Brothers Seydler is one of the leading execution brokers on XETRA and EUREX as well as on the regional German stock exchanges. It also enjoys access to the U.S. exchanges as well as other leading trading venues in Europe and around the world.

About Close Brothers Seydler:

Close Brothers Seydler AG is a German universal bank which has belonged to the Close Brothers Group since 2005.  With over 160 appointments, Close Brothers Seydler is the leading Designated Sponsor, managing over 2,000 order books on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as one of Germany’s top lead brokers in both stocks and bonds. The company is also represented in London through Close Brothers Seydler Limited. Close Brothers is the largest independent European investment bank, with a focus on medium-sized transactions. The bank’s other business areas include financial services such as investment funds, asset management, securities trading, and treasury products. Close Brothers was founded as a merchant bank in the year 1878 and is today one of the largest 200 listed companies on the London Stock Exchange with a market capitalization of EUR 2.0 billion. Close Brothers has a staff of 2,500 worldwide, of which 150 are in Germany. Close Brothers is also represented in Germany by Close Brothers GmbH, one of the leading partners for corporate finance services. For more information, please visit www.cbseydler.com.

Media contact:

René Parmantier
Head of Designated Sponsoring
phone: +49 (0) 69 920 54 130
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

About Nanostart:

Nanostart AG is the world’s leading nanotechnology investment company. The Frankfurt-based company provides venture capital financing for nanotechnology companies in various growth phases. It also provides the benefits of its experience and expertise to developers of financial instruments and to investors in the nanotechnology sector. For further information about the company, please visit www.nanostart.de.

Disclaimer:

This notice constitutes neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to purchase or subscribe to securities. There will be no public offering of securities of Nanostart AG in conjunction with the existing listing of its shares in the “Entry Standard” segment of the regulated unofficial market (Freiverkehr) on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. This notice does not constitute a securities prospectus. Neither this notice nor the information contained within is intended for direct or indirect distribution 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
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it