Commercialization and Entrepreneurship

At the N.C. PSI, we know the discoveries made here can improve the state’s agricultural economy and create new opportunities for agtech partners. We strive to be a research powerhouse that drives economic prosperity.

We promote our research discoveries and intellectual property, establish mutually beneficial industry partnerships, and foster a culture of entrepreneurship that accelerates IP development and launches new startups.

Startups Get Their Start Here

Locus Biosciences, the world leader in CRISPR-engineered phage therapeutics, was built on CRISPR research conducted by two of its scientific founders, NC State’s Dr. Rodolphe Barrangou, and Dr. Chase Beisel.
NC State’s Office of Research Commercialization worked closely with the company during its early days to help identify funding opportunities and to exclusively license several patents related to the CRISPR-Cas3 technology for global use.

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Commercialization

In partnership with the NC State Office of Research Commercialization, we facilitate the commercialization of research discoveries.

Our Approach:

Actively scout for disruptive technologies and make connections early in faculty development of technology.
Work with N.C. PSI–developed innovations and IP to advance them along the commercialization pathway to maximize their value.
Optimize the entrepreneurial environment for plant-science business startups, including building closer ties with the agtech community.
Coordinate commercialization support programs.
Leverage existing faculty and student technology entrepreneurship training and develop additional incubator and accelerator programming as needed.
Raise innovation funds focused on the agtech sector to secure access to earlier-stage pre-seed and seed capital, advanced technologies and early-stage business enterprise and later equity capital and growth rounds.
Develop a network of industry mentors focused on plant sciences.

#2 in Research Commercialization

Association of University Technology Managers ranking of NC State among universities without a medical school.

Learn how we Think and Do

Entrepreneurship

N.C. PSI students, faculty and partners work together to bring great ideas to market. That takes more than just a Think and Do attitude. It takes a culture of innovation and NC State’s entrepreneurial infrastructure.

Our academic and training programs help form, support and incentivize the entrepreneurial efforts and outcomes of students and faculty. NC State’s cutting-edge tools, investor networks and institutional support, including a tech transfer office that’s among the best in the nation, empower interdisciplinary teams to take big ideas and run with them.

We help grow entrepreneurs with grit and determination to improve the world through plant science innovation.

Venture Development Process

The Venture Development Process is the process by which a startup company is built and grown around a university technology. Each step of the process has its own best practices and pitfalls, and there are a variety of resources and support available for each step in the process.

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PackStart Program

ORC’s PackStart Program assists university faculty in creating and launching new ventures through biannual workshops, services, and resources. These include incorporation support, logo and website development, shared working space, grant writing assistance, and connections to strategic partners and funding.

Explore PackStart Program

NC State Startup Guidelines

NC State encourages the launch of research-based startup companies to promote the commercialization of university technologies and drive economic growth. Startup guidelines and policies provide guidance on launching an NC State startup company as a faculty member while protecting the integrity of NC State’s research and educational mission.