North Carolina State University is a public research university in Raleigh whose commercialization path runs through agriculture, engineering, and semiconductors, with a licensing office that already launches a new cohort of startups each year.
Research and development expenditures were more than $633 million in the last reported fiscal year, sixth among U.S. public institutions without a medical school. Sponsored research awards reached $517 million. The university ranked 60th worldwide for U.S. utility patents issued to universities.
Commercialization runs through the Office of Research Commercialization. In fiscal year 2024 the office recorded 214 invention disclosures, executed 156 licenses and options, launched 15 startups based on NC State research, and collected $7.3 million in royalties.
- Chancellor’s Innovation Fund
Gap funding seeded by stock sold from an earlier spinout. With the 2ndF Research Commercialization Fund, the programs have granted nearly $6 million to 87 projects. Those projects have attracted more than $166.6 million in follow-on funding, produced 39 startup companies, 68 commercialization agreements, and $6.7 million in licensing revenue. Each dollar awarded has generated close to $20 in additional funding or investment. - Portfolio mix
Licenses cover patents, software, and plant varieties, a land-grant strength. Fiscal year 2024 plant licenses were the largest single license category.
Investors and founders can reach the Office of Research Commercialization through the university’s Office of Research and Innovation.
Learn more about the Office of Research Commercialization
Learn more about NC State University
