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Office of Research and Innovation
NC State Office of Research Commercialization

Office of Research Commercialization Advisors (ORCA) Network

For early-stage startup companies that spin out of universities to bring research discoveries to market, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and business executives can dramatically impact a startup’s development path.

About the ORCA Network

We pair experienced entrepreneurs and industry executives with NC State research teams and startups for continued coaching and guidance. Use your expertise to help further develop our most interesting technologies, identify potential opportunities that may be appropriate for a startup, and help our existing startups grow and scale

Find a Mentor

Are you an NC State researcher or startup founder seeking guidance from experts?

Leverage our network to find the right person to strengthen your team.

Become a Mentor

Are you an experienced entrepreneur or executive seeking to guide innovative new companies?

Let us know you’re interested!

Levels of Engagement

Member

An entry-level position for external advisors to learn more about NC State startups and opportunities that exist within the network.

  • Receive the ORC monthly newsletter highlighting upcoming engagement opportunities with NC State startups and teams
  • Includes invitations to specific ORCA networking events and ORCA swag 
  • Members will be asked to fill out a form to understand their background and interests in working with NC State startups

Mentor

A volunteer subject matter expert who brings experience in specific business roles or technical disciplines to help answer specific questions or in planning for an inflection point for a startup.

  • Attend action-oriented meetings to help teams make decisions
  • Opportunity to work with startups and research teams one-on-one for regular meetings to accomplish a goal (ex. NC State I-Corps Program) 
  • Ways for Mentors to engage:
    • Become an I-Corps regional or national industry mentor 
    • Assist startups with external management recruitment
    • Connect mentees to potential partners and investors
    • Attend Think and Do meetings

I-Corps Mentorship

Learn what it’s like to mentor an I-Corps team from experienced I-Corps industry mentors who have supported university research teams as they explore the market opportunity for a new innovation.

Learn More

Network Events

Think & Do Meetings

  • “Think” Meetings: ORC is seeking feedback on the market opportunities for a specific technology.
  • “Do” Meetings: ORC is seeking feedback on the specific milestones/inflection points for an NC State startup.

ORC Annual Showcase

An annual event to highlight the strength of the Pack! Startups will have the opportunity to network, and startups at various stages will give their 10-minute pitch presentations as attendees celebrate a year of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Find a Company

Want to learn more about startups launched with ties to NC State?

View Our Startups