The National Academy of Inventors ranked the University of Colorado in the top 20 on its list of top 100 U.S. universities that were granted utility patents in 2024.
Utility patents are issued for new inventions and stop others from replicating the invention. CU ranked 18th out of 100 with 104 patents across its campuses recognized by the National Academy of Inventors. According to a release, the CU Boulder campus contributed 71 patents in 2024.
“The innovations that result from our university’s research, especially federally funded research, have tremendous potential to transform lives, create new industries and create economic impact,” Bryn Rees, associate vice chancellor for innovation and partnerships at CU Boulder, said in the release. “We’re committed to ensuring these inventions are well-resourced so they can mature from the lab to the market.”
The National Academy of Inventors list is an annual ranking created to highlight and celebrate U.S. universities that play a large role in advancing innovation and invention in the United States, according to its website. The list uses data from the United States Patent and Trademark Office to highlight universities that are transforming research into patented innovations and inventions.
“Innovation has always been at the heart of U.S. culture, and the Top 100 U.S. Universities list allows us to recognize and celebrate the commitment these universities have to the American tradition of invention and protection of IP,” Jamie Renee, executive director of the National Academy of Inventors, said in a statement.
At CU Boulder, 53% of the campus’s patents have been licensed commercially.
“This is essential not only for economic development in key industries like biotech, aerospace, quantum and sustainability, but also for ensuring the U.S. workforce stays on the cutting edge and continues to produce the industry leaders of tomorrow,” Rees said.
One example of a CU Boulder startup company that has licensed its technologies, attracted private investment and brought its invention to market is PrecisionTerra. PrecisionTerra licensed its technology, which is a type of software to improve GPS signal processing and accuracy. It is U.S. Patent 12117539. The company won the 2025 New Venture Challenge in the deep tech category, which took place in April.
