UNC-Chapel Hill Startups Generate $7.96 Billion in Economic Impact

Startups linked to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill contributed approximately $7.96 billion to the state’s economy during the past fiscal year, according to the university’s 2025 innovation and economic impact report. The findings, released by Innovate Carolina on October 20, underscore the growing role of academic research in driving regional economic development through technology transfer and entrepreneurial activity. n nKey performance indicators in commercialization all showed strong growth, with invention disclosures rising by 21% to 158, provisional patent filings increasing 29% to 94, and U.S. patents granted climbing 30% to 60. Additionally, 12 new startups based on intellectual property were launched—a 33% increase and a record-tying number. These advancements align with University Research Week, an annual initiative highlighting how academic discoveries are being transformed into practical applications. n nDedric A. Carter, vice chancellor for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development at UNC-Chapel Hill, emphasized the collaborative nature of this progress. He noted that breakthroughs stem not only from faculty research but also from student-led ventures, staff support systems, alumni engagement, and donor contributions. n nThe $7.96 billion economic impact breaks down into $4.17 billion in direct effects, $2.14 billion in indirect ripple effects across supply chains, and $1.65 billion in induced spending by employees. The university’s innovation ecosystem now supports 682 active startups, 79% of which operate within North Carolina. Collectively, these ventures are associated with over 131,000 jobs globally, including more than 14,000 positions in the state. n nUNC-Chapel Hill also achieved a significant leap in national recognition, rising 32 spots on the National Academy of Inventors’ Top 100 Worldwide Universities list—the largest single-year improvement in its history. n nNotable milestones among affiliated companies include Liquidia securing FDA approval and shipping YUTREPIA, its first commercial product; G1 Therapeutics being acquired by Pharmacosmos for $405 million; SonoVascular launching its first-in-human clinical trial; and Carpe, co-founded by alumni from UNC and Duke, acquired by Topspin Consumer Partners. n nThese outcomes reflect the integrated efforts of Innovate Carolina, the Office of Technology Commercialization, entrepreneurship training programs, gap funding initiatives, and shared innovation spaces such as the Innovate Carolina Junction. n— news from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

— News Original —nUNC-Chapel Hill startups create $8 billion in yearly economic impactn nUNC-Chapel Hill-affiliated startups and commercialization activities generated nearly $8 billion in economic impact across North Carolina over the past year, according to the University’s fiscal year 2025 innovation and economic impact report. n nThe report, produced by Innovate Carolina and released Oct. 20, highlights major achievements in technology commercialization, startup formation, talent development and entrepreneurship support. Four core commercialization metrics — invention disclosures, provisional patent applications, issued U.S. patents and IP-based startup launches — each increased by more than 20% compared to fiscal year 2024. The release coincides with University Research Week, an annual campus-wide event underscoring Carolina’s growing strength in translating research into real-world impact. n n“As the volume of foundational research and number of valuable ideas at the University grow, we’ve built a strategy for translating more of the inventive thinking and discoveries that emerge from our labs and classrooms into products, services and companies that make a tangible impact for the people and economy of North Carolina,” said Dedric A. Carter, vice chancellor for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development and chief innovation officer at UNC-Chapel Hill. n n“The University’s innovation pipeline is driven by faculty who conduct research and develop new inventions, enterprising students who pursue bold solutions, staff who offer support, entrepreneurs who found new ventures, alumni and partners who invest and donors whose generosity fuels our momentum.” n nThe report detailed several key stats showing impact. n n$7.96 billion in economic impact from UNC-Chapel Hill-affiliated startups, including: n n$4.17B in direct impact n n$2.14B in indirect impact n n$1.65B in induced impact n n21% increase in invention disclosures (158 annual total) n n29% increase in new provisional patent applications (94 annual total) n n30% increase in issued U.S. patents (60 annual total) n n33% increase in IP-based startups launched (12 total, tying all-time record) n nCarolina’s 32-spot rise on the National Academy of Inventors Top 100 Worldwide University List — the largest single-year jump in its history n n682 active UNC-Chapel Hill-affiliated startups, including 537 (79%) based in North Carolina n nMore than 131,000 global jobs tied to UNC-Chapel Hill startups, including over 14,000 in North Carolina n nSeveral Carolina-affiliated startups noted milestones in the past fiscal year. n nLiquidia received FDA approval and shipped its first commercial product, YUTREPIA. n nG1 Therapeutics was acquired by Pharmacosmos in a $405 million deal. n nSonoVascular initiated its first-in-human clinical trial. n nCarpe, co-founded by UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke alumni, was acquired by Topspin Consumer Partners. n nThese outcomes reflect the work of Innovate Carolina and the University’s broader innovation ecosystem, including the Office of Technology Commercialization, entrepreneurship programs, innovation gap funding and collaborative spaces like the Innovate Carolina Junction coworking hub.

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