For the third consecutive year, the University of Georgia ranked No. 1 among U.S. universities for number of commercial products brought to market by industry partners based on university research, according to an annual survey conducted by AUTM. This marks a solid decade in which the university has placed in the top two, and UGA has never placed outside the top five in the 12 years the survey has been conducted.
In fiscal year 2024 (the year of the latest survey numbers), UGA industry partners and startups developed 69 new products from research, a university record. These products span a range of industries including poultry vaccines, biodegradable plastics, virtual reality tools for disaster preparedness, biomedical research tools and new plant varieties of turfgrass, blueberries, wheats — and peanuts, developed by newly elected National Academy of Inventors Fellow Bill Branch — to name a few.
“Being ranked among the top two universities for a decade is compelling recognition of the impactful research conducted by UGA faculty, staff and students, our robust industry partnerships and the university’s productive commercialization program,” said Derek Eberhart, associate vice president for research and executive director of Innovation Gateway. “Moving research discoveries from our labs and fields to the market improves lives and drives economic impact as part of UGA’s land-grant mission.”
AUTM (formerly the Association of University Technology Managers) supports the commercialization of research at universities and other institutions. The organization conducts an annual survey of intellectual property licensing and startup activities, then turns the survey data into a report ranking institutions along several tech-transfer categories.
Another FY24 product is Weather the Storm, a virtual reality program developed through a partnership between UGA, Clemson University, Georgia Sea Grant and South Carolina Sea Grant, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The immersive experience takes users through the effects of a storm surge inside a coastal home, offering a virtual glimpse of the storm’s devastating consequences and providing users with actionable experience.
UGA startup Lectenz Bio also continued its prolific release of glyco-research and bioprocessing tools that offer researchers a variety of new and simplified methods to study glycobiology.
The AUTM rankings again reflect the university’s deep commitment to translating research into real-world impact. Innovation Gateway, UGA’s hub for technology transfer and startup support, plays a central role in this process by working closely with faculty to protect intellectual property, license technologies and launch new ventures.
“These accomplishments are a reflection of the talent, creativity and dedication of our faculty, staff and students,” said Chris King, interim vice president for research. “Their work and commitment fuel UGA’s growing reputation as a national leader in research and innovation, and we’re proud to support an environment where that work can thrive and deliver meaningful impact to people’s lives. I’d also like to acknowledge the work of the Innovation Gateway team in helping blaze the path these technologies took to market.”
In the latest survey, UGA ranked No. 4 among U.S. universities for active licenses with industry, marking 18 consecutive years in the top 10. UGA ranked No. 17 in number of licenses and options executed with industry (18 consecutive years in the top 20) and earned $13.2 million in licensing revenue for fiscal year 2024, up from $12 million the previous year.
UGA also surpassed $600 million in annual research and development expenditures for the first time in fiscal year 2024, further reflecting the university’s growing research enterprise. To see how UGA research makes an impact across all aspects of life, explore the latest UGA Research Impact Report.
“Our commitment to solving the world’s greatest challenges is supported by a robust ecosystem that brings together research, industry collaboration and entrepreneurship,” said Benjamin C. Ayers, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Working with our partners, faculty, staff and students are translating their discoveries into practical solutions that improve lives and support communities across the state and around the world.”
