UNCW Research Foundation (the "Foundation") was organized on March 24, 2008, as a North Carolina non-profit corporation for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Although legally separate from the University, the Foundation is considered a blended component unit of the University because the University's governing body appoints the Foundation's Board of Directors. As the Foundation works to expand its support for innovation and technology transfer at the University, the Research and Innovation academic unit provide their expertise, knowledge and support to the Foundation.
The Foundation is the sole member of the following LLC's.
The UNCW Corporation Research I, LLC ("Research I") was organized as a North Carolina non-profit corporation on July 16, 2007.
MARBIONC Development Group, LLC ("MDG") was organized as a North Carolina non-profit corporation on December 10, 2008, to further the charitable purposes of the Foundation. MDG pursues the economic development of the University's Center for Marine Science research discoveries, materials, compounds and/or intellectual property and positions them to be a key component in reaching economic and environmental solutions on a global scale. More information on the commercial sales of the University's research compounds can be found at MARBIONC.
UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship,LLC ("CIE") was organized as a North Carolina non-profit corporation on February 28, 2012, to serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurial business growth, jobs and innovations in Southeastern North Carolina by linking emerging and high-growth ventures, entrepreneurs and partnerships with other organizations. For additional information on their programs please visit the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The CREST Millennial Campus, LLC ("CREST"), was organized as a North Carolina non-profit corporation on August 8, 2012, to manage the operations of the CREST Research Park which is situated on the Intracoastal Waterway in Wilmington, NC. The vision behind the CREST Research Park is to provide a space for university researchers, private firms and government agencies to work together in creating the next generation of biotechnology products and solutions. The facility is designed to encourage open and frequent communication between the park’s public and private researchers. With features such as a shared cafeteria and coffee nook, the open campus and common public spaces will allow frequent opportunities for informal and formal collaboration and cooperation to help build relationships, form new ideas and solve problems.
Additionally, the Foundation facilitates the commercial sales of faculty and research programs of the UNCW Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies in Identity Sciences. UNCW Face Aging Group (MORPH -Craniofacial Morphological Longitudinal Face Database) has attained national and international recognition and is available in both the commercial and non-commercial marketplace.