Nano Hydrophobics earned Best of Show in the Valley Entrepreneur Showcase at the 11th annual Central Valley Venture Forum on Nov. 3.

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Nano Hydrophobics conducts energy efficiency research at the Molecular Foundary, a U.S. Department of Energy nanoscience research lab located at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley. Nano Hydrophobics was founded in 2001 to investigate nano-scopic coatings, which can prevent natural-occuring fouling on heat transfer surfaces. Nano Hydrophobics developed a nearly 200-nanometer thin, nano-composite polymer coating that provides surfaces with extremely low surface energy.

Industrial fouling problems are estimated to generate 1 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and increase the cost of most manufacturing products.

Nano Hydrophobics co-founder Peter Boyd said he and his business partner Tim Rost are elated about winning the showcase.

“It gives us an entry into the Central Valley that we didn’t have,” Boyd said in a statement. “We’ve made great connections and we are looking to make more for factories experiencing fouling on their heat transfer services.

The Central Valley Venture Forum is a partnership between the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fresno State, the Craig School of Business at Fresno State and the Central Valley Fund.

The forum is an opportunity for venture capitalists, investment bankers, angel investors, leading start-ups, valuation experts, corporate executives and community leaders to discuss economic and financial opportunities related to the Central Valley.