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NC State Office of Research Commercialization

Unlocking Innovation

NC State is a hub of innovative research discoveries. Learn about the positive economical, technological and societal impact.

Innovation, Collaboration and Support

The Office of Research Commercialization (ORC) cultivates an environment of scientific and entrepreneurial excellence and bridges connections from NC State University’s research community to industry and startups by strategically evaluating, protecting and licensing technology.

NC State Innovator & Entrepreneur of the Year Announced

The 2026 NC State Innovator & Entrepreneur of the Year award winners were recently announced at the annual Celebration of Innovation event.

Learn more about how these researchers translated their research discoveries into real-world impact.

Meet the Awardees
Chancellor speaking from podium with awardees standing beside him

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October 22, 2026

NC State Honors Innovators and Entrepreneurs at Annual Celebration of Innovation

North Carolina State University held its 34th Celebration of Innovation on Nov. 5th, honoring NC State researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs translating university research discoveries into real-world impact. With NC State’s…

August 28, 2026

Global Ideas, Local Connections: TeX-Corps Strengthens Innovation at NC State

NC State’s Office of Research Commercialization partnered with KIC DC through the 2026 TeX-Corps program, bringing 24 teams of Korean graduate researchers to Raleigh for five weeks of customer discovery, mentorship and commercialization training. The program strengthened connections between North Carolina and South Korea’s innovation ecosystems while helping emerging entrepreneurs turn research into real-world opportunities.

May 29, 2026

NC State Spinout Company Acquired by Waters Biosciences

NIRvana Sciences, a startup company commercializing synthetic red and near-infrared fluorescent dyes for use in diagnostics and imaging, has been acquired by Waters Biosciences, a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics.  The startup was acquired by Waters in May 2025 to expand the company’s portfolio of high-performance fluorescent dyes used in flow cytometry and other biomedical applications.