While the world watches Silicon Valley, a quiet revolution is happening in North Carolina's economic landscape. NCGrowth, a 40-person operation embedded within UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School, isn't just analyzing economic development—they're actively building it. With $5.6M in revenue and a unique model that blends academic rigor with on-the-ground execution, they're redefining what a think tank can achieve.

"NCGrowth isn't studying economic development from an ivory tower—they're in the trenches, turning research into revenue for North Carolina communities."

The organization's digital presence reveals a modern, multi-channel strategy. They maintain active presences across YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram—platforms typically underutilized by traditional think tanks. Their tech stack, built on WordPress with Tailwind CSS and Bootstrap, suggests a team that values both functionality and user experience. Yet their traffic metrics (0 monthly visits in public data) raise questions: Is this intentional stealth mode, or is their impact measured in policy shifts rather than page views?

• Embedded within UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School, not a standalone entity
• Active crisis response role (Post-Helene economic recovery planning)
• Multi-platform content strategy including YouTube and Instagram
• Cross-state collaboration model (Carolinas focus)
• Lean operations: $140K revenue per employee