North Carolina’s medical and biotech ecosystem is already highly regarded, but two emerging developments are even greater opportunities for local innovators: the rise of ARPA-H, the federal government’s high-risk, high-reward health innovation agency, and the North Carolina Military Business Center’s (NCMBC) upcoming Medical Quarterly Industry Forum on December 11.  Both forces are creating an environment that enables North Carolina’s medical companies to compete more effectively for federal contracts/funding, accelerate product development, and deepen their integration with both the defense and health ecosystems.

If ARPA-H hasn’t been on your radar, think of it as the health-focused counterpart to DARPA—the legendary agency behind the internet and GPS. Its mission is to revolutionize how the nation detects, treats, and prevents major diseases. ARPA-H invests in bold, high-risk, high-reward ideas that traditional funding programs often won’t touch. Whether it’s breakthrough cancer therapies, next-gen diagnostic platforms, or new ways to produce critical medical products at scale, ARPA-H wants the out-of-the-box concepts that could change everyday lives.

With world-class universities, leading research institutions, and innovation hubs like Research Triangle Park and the NC Research Campus, the state is uniquely positioned for success. The state brings together exceptional academic strength, a vibrant startup community, major pharmaceutical companies, and key military medical hubs—from Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune to Seymour Johnson AFB and Coast Guard installations along the coast. ARPA-H’s model—small teams, fast awards, and mission-driven project managers—pairs naturally with this environment. For NC companies developing medical devices, diagnostics, AI-driven healthcare tools, biomanufacturing processes or advanced therapeutics, ARPA-H represents an opportunity not just for funding, but for validation and national visibility.

That’s where the NCMBC steps in. The NCMBC is a statewide business development and technology transition entity of the State of North Carolina, embedded in community colleges and headquartered at Fayetteville Technical Community College. The mission of the NCMBC is to leverage military and other federal business opportunities to expand the economy, grow jobs and improve quality of life in North Carolina. The NCMBC’s primary goal is to increase federal revenues for businesses in North Carolina.  The Department of Defense has an annual impact of $79.7 billion and is the second largest sector of North Carolina’s economy (12.8% GDP). With six major military bases, over 100 National Guard and Reserve facilities and the fourth highest number of uniformed military personnel in the country, the State of North Carolina created the NCMBC to leverage opportunities with these installations, DoD commands and federal agencies operating worldwide.

On December 11, NCMBC will host their first Medical Quarterly Industry Forum designed for organizations eager to learn where federal medical priorities are heading—and how North Carolina businesses can align with those goals. This concise, virtual event delivers real value: updates on federal medical contracting opportunities, insights into capability gaps, and a platform for businesses, researchers and government officials to connect.

Although ARPA-H and the NCMBC forum are not formally connected, they work in tandem to provide significant benefits for North Carolina’s medical and biotech industries.

First, the NCMBC Quarterly Forum gives companies a clear view of the Department of Defense and other federal agencies’ immediate priorities and needs. These insights are critical for shaping proposals that resonate with ARPA-H’s focus on transformative impact.  Innovation alone isn’t enough – it must address a nationally significant challenge. DoD’s medical priorities – such as combat casualty care, biosurveillance, wearable monitoring, infection control, and medical logistics - often align closely with ARPA-H’s broader mission.

Second, the Quarterly Medical Industry Forum acts as a powerful networking catalyst. Many small or emerging medical companies in North Carolina struggle to connect with federal health agencies. These forums offer a relaxed environment where businesses can discover what primes, contracting officers, and research leaders truly need. And as experienced business owners know, a single conversation with the right partner can unlock opportunities that are typically out of reach.

Third, the synergy between federal opportunities and state-level connections creates an ideal environment for innovation. ARPA-H seeks bold, visionary solutions, while NCMBC focuses on helping North Carolina businesses thrive through federal contracting.  Companies that understand both perspectives can craft proposals that are not only technically compelling but strategically aligned.

Consider an NC startup developing an AI-powered diagnostic tool. At the NCMBC forum, they might learn about DoD’s demand for rapid diagnostic capabilities in deployed settings. That insight could guide them in shaping an ARPA-H proposal focused on overcoming field-diagnostic challenges for both military personnel and underserved populations. The outcome is a pitch that addresses a national health priority while enhancing defense readiness—precisely the kind of cross-sector impact ARPA-H seeks.

Take North Carolina’s thriving biomanufacturing sector as another example.  The state is already among the nation’s top producers of biologics. ARPA-H is prioritizing investments in distributed, resilient biomanufacturing to safeguard national supply chains. Armed with that insight—and the connections made at Quarterly Forum - an NC company could position itself as a leading contender in the next major federal bioproduction initiative.

In essence, ARPA-H supplies the fuel, while NCMBC helps North Carolina companies design the engines. For medical businesses statewide - from agile startups to seasoned manufacturers - the coming years present a rare convergence of opportunity, funding and strategic demand.

If innovation were a team sport, North Carolina now holds the home-field advantage.

For more information on the December 11 Quarterly Forum visit: https://www.ncmbc.us/event/medical-quarterly-industry-forum/

For more information on the NCMBC or opportunities with ARPA-H contact TJ Gilroy at gilroyt@ncmbc.us or visit www.ncmbc.us.