The Office of Science and Technology supports communities and businesses by:
- Expanding North Carolina’s technology infrastructure
- Enhancing public and private innovation
- Fostering a dynamic and diverse entrepreneurial economy.
The Office develops policies and programs that accelerate both the development of next-generation technology companies and the adoption of technology across existing industry. Working with organizations across the state, it identifies and communicates emerging opportunities in science and technology and prepares and publishes analyses outlining the competitive position of North Carolina’s businesses and research institutions in these areas.
The Office also staffs the North Carolina Board of Science and Technology. This Board advises and makes recommendations to the Governor, the Secretary of Commerce, the General Assembly and The Economic Development Board on the role of science and technology in the economic growth and development of North Carolina.
Recent Highlights
- Created the North Carolina Green Business Fund to award funds to North Carolina small for-profit and non-profit businesses, and State and local governmental entities, to encourage the development and commercialization of promising green technologies.
- Created the One North Carolina Small Business Program to allow companies that qualify for a Phase I federal Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant or a Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) grant to receive matching funds.
- Formed the Governor’s Task Force on Nanotechnology and North Carolina’s Economy and developed a roadmap for an aggressive initiative to advance nanotechnology-based economic development and high-wage employment across North Carolina.
- The General Assembly authorized the Treasurer to invest up to 20% of the Escheat Fund corpus in venture and seed funds for early stage businesses.
- Planning began for an N.C. Research Center in Kannapolis on a 250-acre former Cannon Mills plant site in partnership with entrepreneur David Murdock, the University of North Carolina system and other organizations.