CIE and OIC Drive Change Through Innovation and Collaboration

Partners in Problem Solving

At the heart of Wilmington's innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem, two UNCW centers continue to drive progress on critical challenges that impact both the region and the world. Through research, commercialization, startup support and strategic partnerships, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) and the Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC) are turning ideas into impact.

The growth and accomplishments of both CIE and OIC have earned recognition across campus, in the community and around the world. Last fall, CIE received the University Economic Development Association's 2024 Award of Excellence in the Place Category, honoring its leadership in transformative community development. In April, CIE won the Excellence in Communication Award from the International Business Innovation Association for effectively sharing the stories of its entrepreneurs and program participants. CIE Director Heather McWhorter and Program Manager Lydia Thomas have both been presented with a host of local awards from the business community.

OIC staff have also garnered accolades. Director Justin Streuli earned the Registered Technology Transfer Professional certification by the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals, a top distinction recognizing his contributions in knowledge exchange, commercialization and tech transfer. As of summer 2025, Streuli's leadership has led to all-time annual UNCW records for most license revenue, largest single license, largest number of inventions reported, most patents filed and more than $2 million in translational research grants since 2024. Commercialization Coordinator Zack Shail '22 received UNCW's 2025 Staff Award for Excellence, the university's most prestigious staff award. Nominated for the customer service category, the recognition is a nod to Shail's relationship building with faculty researchers, fellow staff and industry partners. Shail was also nominated for the Governor's Award for Excellence, North Carolina's top honor for state employees.

These accolades underscore CIE and OIC's continued commitment to meaningful impact, which is further fueled by a strong network of strategic partnerships and regional collaborations.

Strategic Collaborations Driving Innovation

In 2024, UNCW was selected as a regional hub site for NCInnovation, a nonprofit that helps university researchers bring inventions to market. The hub office is housed at CIE in order to foster relationships with the university and is one of 12 across the state designed to connect researchers with industry partners and commercialization support. This year, NCInnovation awarded funding to a UNCW interdisciplinary team developing a Neck Strength Assessment Tool (NSAT) aimed at reducing head and neck injuries in warfighters and athletes. Led by Associate Professors Lindsey Schroeder (athletic training) and Alex McDaniel (exercise science), the project is the second in as many years to be funded after Associate Professor Ying Wang's (chemistry) work on a novel flu vaccine platform was selected in 2024.

The Alliance for the Blue Economy (All Blue), a multidisciplinary initiative comprised of individuals from academia, business and community organizations, continues to strengthen its role as a regional catalyst for ocean-based innovation. The Blue Economy Index, launched by CIE and OIC in partnership with the Cameron School of Business in 2024, remains a vital part of All Blue, both because of Wilmington's unique coastal location and its significance to the world's economy and its oceans. As the only global stock index measuring ocean-related economic activity with a focus on environmental impact, it guides investment and innovation toward sustainable solutions.

Fueling Ideas Through Connection

The annual Ocean Innovation Conference is a cornerstone of CIE's commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship around coastal and marine challenges. The high-energy event brings together participants ranging from students to elected officials, researchers and small business owners. Now through three years, the conference routinely sells out and is only growing. The 2025 conference, hosted in September and keynoted by professional surfer and environmental advocate Shaun Tomson, spotlighted the blue economy and emerging innovations that support ocean ocean health. Discussions focused on technology, investment opportunities and regional collaborations aimed at preserving marine resources. Attendees had the chance to network with startup founders, nonprofit leaders, support organizations and venture capitalists. In addition to returning fixtures like expert panels and an innovation fair, the 2025 event welcomed representatives from other Blue Tech Hubs nationwide, sharing how they have built successful ocean innovation ecosystems in their own regions.

"We needed to bring everybody together to focus that energy, display researchers and innovators, instill hope and show people they can be part of the change. That's what this conference is all about – showing people they can do something, too." - Heather McWhorter, director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Another recent offering by CIE, the Idea Test Lab, is a cohort based four-week program designed to create an inclusive pipeline of high-growth entrepreneurs and startups in southeastern North Carolina and to build resilience in founders. Launched in 2024 with support from Wells Fargo and sustained by an NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM grant, the program targets high-growth sectors like aquaculture, renewable energy, marine robotics and other blue economy ventures. Participants in the Idea Test Lab explore value propositions, customer problems, market analysis and competition, then pitch their ideas at a public demo day. Three standout ventures receive $10,000 in support funding to be used for needs like prototyping, consulting, marketing and more.

Beyond the funding and curriculum, the relationships and peer support created in this space are among the program's most valuable outcomes.

"What the startups say they get out of it the most are the connections to each other," said McWhorter. "A year later they're still supporting each other and still showing up to each other's events. We work hard to build those support networks between the founders."

Through community, collaboration and a focus on real-world applications, CIE and OIC are translating ideas into meaningful impact. As partners in problem solving, they are helping shape solutions that matter to the university, the region and beyond.