A nanowire device and a method of forming a nanowire device that is poised for pick up and transfer to a receiving substrate are described. In an embodiment, the nanowire device includes a base layer and a plurality of nanowires on and protruding away from a first surface of the base layer. An encapsulation material laterally surrounds the plurality of nanowires in the nanowire device, such that the nanowires are embedded within the encapsulation material.