The University of California (UC) system has held a leading position in acquiring patents on an international scale.
In the year 2023, the UC system achieved first place by being granted 546 patents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This marks a continuation of UC’s dominance, as it has maintained the top spot for US utility patents among universities since 2013.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) followed in second place, with the University of Texas, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and Stanford University completing the top five.
The generation of patents plays a crucial role in fostering innovation by safeguarding inventors’ rights to financially benefit from their creations.
Within the UC system, more than 12,700 active patents are held—a number unsurpassed by any other educational institution globally.
Key patent figures for top 5 universities:
- University of California: 546 patents
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology: 368 patents
- University of Texas: 235 patents
- King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals: 216 patents
- Stanford University: 199 patents
Emergence of Venture-Supported Startups
Beyond patent achievements, the University of California sets a high bar for entrepreneurial endeavors, underlined by its robust network linking academic discovery with industry application.
The technology commercialization initiatives at UC have yielded substantial economic and societal benefits. The University’s 2022 report showcased 238 licensed inventions and the genesis of 88 startups.
Notably, UC Berkeley emerged as the leading institution for startups founded by undergraduate alumni as per the latest PitchBook rankings. Several other UC campuses also ranked within the top 100. The prolific startup formation at UC Berkeley places it at the forefront, boasting 1,305 venture-backed companies.
Top university startup count:
- UC Berkeley: 1,305 companies
- Stanford University: 1,297 companies
- Harvard University: 1,086 companies
- University of Pennsylvania: 993 companies
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology: 949 companies
The university’s sustained excellence in translating research into viable market products is propelled by a dedicated pursuit of science and technology that addresses critical societal challenges.
The diligent work to transition research breakthroughs to commercial success highlights the drive to ensure Californians—and people around the world—reap the rewards of UC’s profound research endeavors.
