NCInnovation adds three more hubs at UNC System institutions
Nonprofit expands statewide presence with new hubs at App State, Fayetteville State, and UNC Wilmington, increasing support for applied research commercialization
Raleigh, NC – Today, the University of North Carolina System announced that Appalachian State University, Fayetteville State University, and the University of North Carolina Wilmington will join East Carolina University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and Western Carolina University as headquarter locations for NCInnovation’s applied research support.
NCInnovation is a nonprofit organization that unlocks the real-world research potential of North Carolina’s world-class public universities. The organization provides grant funding and other support to university researchers working on discoveries that have practical application and commercial promise. Earlier this year, NCInnovation approved its first slate of research grants to support projects at seven universities. NCInnovation will expand its team to support the pipeline of projects in these areas.
Regional directors at NCInnovation hubs serve researchers on their respective campuses and at nearby universities and connect NCInnovation grant recipients with industry and business services to advance their research towards commercialization. With this addition of three university hubs, and the hiring of additional staff, NCInnovation will be able to offer more time and support to UNC System researchers whose projects have market potential.
“Research is a pillar of the UNC System’s mission and a critical part of our service to North Carolinians,” said UNC System President Peter Hans. “Already, NCInnovation has funded projects for institutional researchers who are developing cancer treatments, vaccines, and clean drinking water solutions, among other important innovations. This expansion will allow our scientists to bring more discoveries to market and to work for the people of this state.”
“The university-to-industry pipeline is central to innovation, here in North Carolina and the United States,” said NCInnovation CEO Bennet Waters. “We want faculty to build something amazing and enduring that grows in the private sector. The UNC System has been an incredible partner in this mission, and we’re excited to add NCInnovation staff to three more campuses.”
“Researchers across the entire UNC System are working on groundbreaking discoveries to solve real-life problems here in North Carolina and beyond,” said NCInnovation’s Chief Innovation Officer Michelle Bolas. “We’ve been excited at the enthusiasm and activity at all of the universities across the state and believe that expanding our footprint in this way will allow NCInnovation to offer even more support and build deeper relationships, both on campuses and with industry.”
NCInnovation’s next round of grants will be open to all applied researchers in the UNC System. The organization expects to announce the application period in the near future.
*This press release was originally published by The University of North Carolina System.
NCInnovation is 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation focused intensely on accelerating commercialized innovation from North Carolina’s universities. NCInnovation deploys funding, mentors, and support services so that North Carolina university proofs-of-concept turn into companies and create jobs that remain in North Carolina. Learn more at NCInnovation.org.
