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Ko Nakamura Serves as Judge at UNC Charlotte’s 2026 Invention of the Year Awards
UNC Charlotte hosted its 2026 Invention of the Year Awards at the Dubois Center in Charlotte on April 24, 2026, bringing together leaders from government, academia, industry, and defense to celebrate the transition of university research into real‑world innovation. The event highlighted the university’s rapid growth in patent activity, startup formation, and commercialization across disciplines including life sciences, engineering, energy, data science, and advanced manufacturing.
The program featured remarks from U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director John Squires, North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt, and keynote speaker Brigadier General (Ret.) John Teichert. Forty‑one patented technologies were evaluated by a panel of industry and IP judges, including Ko Nakamura, with awards recognizing inventions demonstrating strong potential for commercial, societal, and technological impact. The evening also marked the launch of UNC Charlotte’s chapter of the National Academy of Inventors, underscoring the university’s expanding national innovation profile.
Ko has more than 20 years of intellectual property experience, with a practice focused on patent prosecution, IP counseling, clearance, and opinion work for domestic and international clients. He concentrates on mechanical and electromechanical technologies spanning automotive, aerospace, medical devices, consumer electronics, advanced manufacturing, and related industries. Ko is fluent in Japanese and has extensive experience handling Japan‑origin patent applications, including serving as a delegate to the Japan Patent Office through U.S. IP associations.
