Executive Director’s Chair: Year-End Reflections

Dear Colleagues,

As we close out calendar year 2025, I am proud to reflect on the momentum we’ve built across Clemson University’s innovation ecosystem. This year, thanks to your dedication and engagement, CURF continued to manage and support a multifaceted IP portfolio during the 2025 fiscal year, highlighted below:

• 75 invention disclosures received
• 55 US patent applications filed
• 15 US patents issued
• 11 licenses/options executed
• 6 technology startups
• 118 active licenses

Serving as Co-PIs and key personnel, CURF personnel continued to execute and provide support to the NSF Accelerating Research Translation (ART) STRIDE and NSF I-Corps grants. These foundational translational research and commercialization education and training grants will have a significant, positive impact on the quality, breadth, and commercial viability of innovations emerging from research activities at Clemson University.

Additionally, the CURF Technology Maturation Fund (Tech Mat), in collaboration with the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), awarded eight projects totaling more than $200,000 in translational research grants to mature Clemson-based technologies. These investments are a testament to the creativity, hard work, and collaborative spirit of the Clemson University research enterprise.

I am deeply grateful to the CURF team, whose collaborative spirit, resilience, and steady focus on our mission to provide a high level of quality service to the research enterprise. Their work behind the scenes supports our researchers at every step of the research translation and commercialization process, helping to ensure that Clemson’s innovations move forward to have a tangible impact on South Carolinians and beyond.

To the broader research community of faculty, students, and collaborators, I sincerely appreciate your entrusting CURF with your creative ideas and working with us to help them mature into commercially viable products and services. Your resourcefulness and perseverance are the foundation of our collective success.

As we look ahead to 2026, CURF remains committed to strengthening commercialization pathways, deepening industry and community partnerships, and expanding outreach to provide more innovations with the opportunity to make a meaningful societal impact.

On behalf of the Clemson University Research Foundation, I wish you all a joyful holiday season filled with peace and happiness. Thank you for your collaboration this year. We look forward to continuing our work together in the new year.

Warm regards,
Chris