North Carolina has achieved a significant milestone in its journey toward becoming a leader in innovation. The state’s latest Tracking Innovation report for 2026 reveals that North Carolina now ranks 9th in the nation for overall innovation capacity, marking its first appearance in the top 10.
North Carolina’s Innovation Surge
The North Carolina Department of Commerce, representing the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation, released the 2026 report, which is the tenth edition since 2000. This comprehensive assessment evaluates North Carolina’s innovation landscape using 41 different measures. The findings highlight that the state’s innovation-driven economy has been growing at a faster pace compared to the national average since the early 2000s.
“North Carolina’s ability to innovate is a critical part of our economic strength and future competitiveness,” stated North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. The First in Opportunity Strategic Economic Development Plan aims to leverage these strengths to foster innovation and economic prosperity across all regions of the state.
Key Measures of Success
The report outlines several areas where North Carolina has outperformed, including:
- Academic R&D expenditures and academic article output have ranked North Carolina fifth nationally.
- University academic license income and startup formation have seen significant growth, with income rising by 149 percent and startups by 9.8 percent since 2000.
- Federal SBIR and STTR funding for early-stage technology companies has surged at a pace seven times faster than the national average.
- KTI business establishments have grown by 111 percent since 2000, highlighting their economic impact as they pay twice the average wage of other establishments.
- Workforce in science and engineering occupations has increased by 83 percent since 2003, surpassing the national growth rate.
- Diversity in KTI industries remains strong, continuing to exceed the U.S. average.
- In-migration of college-educated adults has tripled the U.S. rate since 2005.
- Geographical spread of innovation is evident, with more counties performing above the national average.
Opportunities and Challenges
While the report celebrates North Carolina’s achievements, it also identifies areas for further improvement. These include expanding innovation activities to more regions, addressing broadband and internet access disparities, and enhancing public school expenditures. Additionally, North Carolina must accelerate economic growth and improve workforce wages to keep pace with its rapid population growth. Ensuring equitable economic benefits, particularly in rural areas, remains a crucial goal.
For a deeper insight into the state’s innovation progress, the full Tracking Innovation report is available online. Additional details and presentations can be obtained from the Board of Science, Technology & Innovation Executive Staff. Further information about the Board can be found at https://www.commerce.nc.gov/about-us/boards-commissions/board-science-technology-innovation.
Read More Here
Comments are closed.