North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation

Funds One North Carolina business support through policy leadership and administration of commercialization grants for emerging innovators.

The North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation is the policy board behind the state's technology-commercialization grants. It sits within the Department of Commerce, was established in 1963, and is governed by a 23-member board plus legislative representation. John Hardin serves as executive director, while the Office of Science, Technology & Innovation handles day-to-day administration.

BSTI's direct funding center is the One North Carolina Small Business Program. For FY2026, the board set aside about $2.08 million across incentive and matching awards, with incentive grants capped at $12,000 and matching grants capped at $75,000. The program supports North Carolina small businesses preparing SBIR/STTR Phase I proposals or bridging from Phase I into Phase II. Its portfolio leans toward life sciences, clean energy, hardware, materials, and medical technology.

The board's role is strategic rather than transactional: it allocates funds, identifies research needs, and steers technology policy for Commerce. Its track record includes more than 510 businesses served since 2006 and roughly $9.6 billion in follow-on capital, which makes it a practical gateway for companies already close to federal R&D commercialization.