NCInnovation

The Office of the State Auditor concluded its review of NCInnovation. Here were the report’s key findings:? 1. Private funding commitments documented correctly 2. All grants were awarded according to state law requirements 3. All grant recipients have clear methods for measuring results ? Click here to read more:?https://lnkd.in/eHffuMnz

We would like to extend our congratulations to Louis Judge --- MBA, CLP, RTTP, Senior Regional Director of the Piedmont Innovation Network Hub, for his leadership with assisting in executing the inaugural HBCU Technology Transfer Symposium, held at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. This event, hosted by The Commercializer, LLC, 1890 Universities Foundation, and N.C. A&T brought together?community partners?and university leadership from more than 10 HBCUs?to explore ways to build innovation ecosystems and strengthen technology transfer/commercialization capacity. With sponsorship from Microsoft, the symposium provided an invaluable opportunity for collaboration and the sharing of ideas to drive future #innovation. We look forward to continuing to support and grow this community of innovators and are excited about the ongoing potential for collaboration in the future.

Our EVP & Chief Innovation Officer, Michelle Bolas, recently joined?The Charlotte Ledger?Podcast to discuss how NCInnovation is helping promising research from North Carolina’s public universities advance toward commercialization. Michelle shared the example of NCInnovation’s support for a lithium purification project at UNC Greensboro. Currently, lithium mined in the U.S. is sent to China for purification before returning for use in technologies like electric vehicle batteries. This project could change that by establishing the first domestic, one-step purification process—positioning North Carolina as a leader in this critical supply chain. This is exactly where NCInnovation steps in. We provide the support needed to help promising technologies scale and move through the university research & development process. Listen to the full podcast and learn how NCInnovation is filling critical gaps in research support:?https://lnkd.in/eyA4xjxf

Michelle Bolas, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of?NCInnovation, recently presented?to?the?University of North Carolina System?Board of Governors Committee?on?Educational Planning, Policies, and Programs, sharing?the?progress made in advancing?research?commercialization across North Carolina. Committee members expressed strong support for?NCInnovation’s role in driving?economic?growth. Gene Davis emphasized?the?importance of retaining?top talent in?the?state, while Dr. David English highlighted?the?partnership’s role in accelerating university?research. Randy Ramsey, Woody White, and Chancellor James Martin, Ph.D., M. ASCE. echoed?the?transformational?impact?of?NCInnovation’s efforts, likening its model?to?successful innovation ecosystems nationwide. By funding and supporting?research?with commercial potential,?NCInnovation?is strengthening North Carolina’s position as a leader in technology, innovation, and job creation. Read more here:?https://lnkd.in/eqrQuhfS

Last week, Rep. Gloristine Brown, Rep. Wyatt Gable, Sen. Buck Newton, Rep. Tim Reeder, and Sen. Kandie Smith joined Derrick Welch, Director of the East Regional Innovation Network, for a tour of NCI grant recipient Rukiyah Van Dross's lab at East Carolina University.? ? ?? NCI is proud to support Dr. Van Dross-Anderson in bringing her cutting-edge cancer treatment from the lab to patients. Her immunotherapy offers new hope for melanoma patients who have not responded to current treatments.? ? In addition to exploring Dr. Van Dross-Anderson’s work at The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, we had the opportunity to meet with faculty from ECU Thomas Harriot College of Arts & Sciences, ECU Communication Sciences and Disorders, ECU Department of Public Health, and ECU College of Health and Human Performance, who are all conducting groundbreaking research, further showcasing the depth of innovation shaping the future of science and healthcare in the region.? ? This visit highlighted the power of collaboration between NCInnovation, ECU, and our dedicated researchers in transforming ideas into real-world solutions. Through our continued partnership, we’re not only driving innovation but also creating opportunities for job growth and economic development in eastern #NorthCarolina.

NCI is seeking an experienced professional to join our team and serve as the Hub Director anchored at N.C. A&T State University. The Hub Director will help lead innovation efforts in the Piedmont region as they drive the commercialization of research and foster economic growth through collaboration with universities, industry, and government. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eSWz5YTj?

NCI is seeking a detail-oriented and dedicated Staff Accountant to join our team. As an experienced professional, the Staff Accountant will help support finance, human resources, and administrative operations at NCI. If you have a passion for numbers and a drive to contribute to innovative projects, we’d love to hear from you.?https://lnkd.in/eieJGsef. For more information, or to apply for this position, email your cover letter and resume to [email protected].

We're #hiring a new Staff Accountant in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Area. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We are proud to share that Derrick Welch, Senior Director of the East Regional Innovation Network, participated in a dynamic panel at the TechNet Defense Innovation Summit at Fort Liberty, Fayetteville. ? The panel, “Future Forward: Intersections of Venture Capital & Innovation,” brought together thought leaders from various sectors to discuss the critical intersections of #innovation, #technology, and funding, with a focus on supporting small businesses and researchers in the #defense industry. Derrick’s insights on strategic innovation and economic development were invaluable in highlighting how NCInnovation is helping bridge the gap between academia and industry. ? Derrick was joined by an esteemed group: ??Moderator Dean M. Hoffman IV, MBB, Cofounder and President of Accel Innovation Corporation ??Andrew Lackner, Managing Director at Energy Innovation Capital ??Andreas Lucido, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal ??Blair Thompson, AAMS?, CRPC?, CWS?, President of SPARTA Wealth Partners ? Together, they provided valuable perspectives on how to move innovations forward through funding and collaboration, particularly here in North Carolina. ? At NCInnovation, we’re proud to support university applied research that can shape the future of defense technology.

NCInnovation is proud to support the groundbreaking work of Dr. Jordan Poler, a University of North Carolina at Charlotte professor, as he leads critical research to combat PFAS (forever chemicals) in drinking water. With NCI grant funding, Dr. Poler has partnered with local Goulston Technologies in Monroe, NC to test the viability of his innovative filtration system, which aims to remove these harmful chemicals from our water supply more efficiently and cost effectively than current methods. ? Thanks to an NCInnovation grant, Dr. Poler’s team is advancing toward necessary testing to bring this solution to the commercial market. Together, we are helping turn promising innovations into solutions that benefit our communities. ? Learn more about this transformative project in our latest?blog. https://lnkd.in/eQCSPNAR