Together,
We Advance
Possibility.
About OIE
Creating Opportunities for Societal Benefit
The Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship inspires, educates and enables others to make an impact on society, improve the regional economy and transform their own careers. The office is composed of four units: The Innovation Institute, the Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships, the Big Idea Center for student innovation, and the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Explore the OIE Hubs
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Innovation Institute
Faculty and staff intellectual property management, technology licensing and startup formation and more. -
Big Idea Center
Student innovation and entrepreneurship. -
Office of Industry & Economic Partnerships
Industry engagement and economic development. -
Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence
Regional small business education, consulting and networking.
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#6Ranked in NIH Funding among U.S. universities in research funding.
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1500+Annual student engagements
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#17Among U.S. universities granted utility patents in 2025
News, Events & More
Stay up to date
Pitt Researchers Are Putting Mixed Reality at the Fingertips of Surgeons
University of Pittsburgh Announces 13 U.S. Patents Issued to Pitt Innovators in April 2026
Pitt Big Idea Center Alums Reap Harvest by Finding the Right Problem to Solve
PantherlabWorks Success Story: PastFinders
Celebrating a Record Year of Student Innovation (Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship)
Pitt’s Big Idea Center Celebrates Record Year of Student Innovation, Awarding More Than $100,000 to Student Innovators and Teams
Pitt Innovators Signal Their Commitment to Compete in the Market at Second Annual Startup Signing Day
University of Pittsburgh Announces Ten U.S. Patents Issued to Pitt Innovators in March 2026
SBDC Success Story: Atlas Dream Languages LLC
SBDC Success Story: Lil Sista’s Sweets
Community Power to Prosper Class of 2026
SBDC Success Story: SignBox Systems LLC
Support the IEE during Pitt Day of Giving 2026!
Kuzneski Innovation Cup Draws Students From Across the University (Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship)
The Emerging Community of ChangeMakers From Series to Scholars
The Big Idea Center Celebrates Inaugural ChangeMaker Series Cohort; Students Share Key Takeaways from the Masterclass Program
From Seed to Sprout: Forevergreen’s Sustainable Startup Idea Gains Momentum from Big Idea Center
Big Idea Competition Awards Nearly $80,000 to Help Pitt Students Bring Their Innovations to Life
Upcoming Events
Idea to Impact – Coffee & Conversation
Do you have an idea or innovation you want to bring to market? Join staff from the...
Next Steps for I-Corps Teams
Whether you finished recently or some time ago, congratulations again on completing...
“We learn from our mentors and from each other about common challenges that we face. As academics and clinicians, this new world of business development reveals significant knowledge gaps for us.”
“OIE has provided me with amazing mentoring support…They have opened up a new world of opportunities and have provided invaluable insight into how to pitch my work to customers and investors.”
“From day one the team at the Big Idea Center were able to meet me where I was and help me catalyze what I wanted to actually build.”
“I greatly value the SBDC’s programs, resources, and one-to-one consulting. Their ongoing business webinars provide guidance that keeps me aligned with my goals as I continue to grow my business.”
“…Beyond the technical knowledge, the Community Power to Prosper program has deeply motivated me. It reminds me that I’m not just building a construction company, but I’m also building a legacy.”