Did You Know?
Economy + technology
Who serves as an economic and innovation engine for California and the world?
Higher education and research are long-term investments, not just expenditures in a budget. In the past two decades, as both production and innovation have gone global, California's economy has held a competitive advantage. As this decade unfolds, California must continue to make a strong investment in education — in our faculty, facilities and students — to maintain our long-term prosperity and keep our competitive edge as a global innovator and economic powerhouse. UC researchers and alumni have been crucial in building many of our state's industries — from biotech to telecommunications to agriculture to entertainment. Today, we're helping California take a leading role in critical new industries and working on innovations to drive the next wave of California's economic growth. UC is a powerful technological and economic engine for California, for the nation, and for the world.
Featured Facts
Who's helping to generate more than $14 billion for California's economy?
UC's annual impact on the state's economy from direct and indirect spending exceeds $14 billion. And that doesn't include its deeper impact through hundreds of spinoff companies and the thousands of alumni who make California businesses run.
Who helps California earn a healthy return on investment?
For every $1 in state research funding, UC secures $6 more in federal and private research dollars.
Where was the Internet born?
More than 35 years ago, the Internet was born at UCLA when two computers sent a message to each other.
Who is generating a bigger tax base for California?
UC also strengthens the state and local tax base, generating more than $4 billion in tax revenue each year.
Who will help create more than two million jobs in California this decade alone?
UC creates jobs: Nearly 400,000 jobs are dependent on UC operations — and UC will have a hand in creating more than two million jobs in California this decade.
Who is founding the companies that push California's economy to new frontiers?
More than 1,000 high-tech and other R&D-intensive companies put UC research to work every day. In fact, UC researchers average 3 new inventions a day.
Who helped lay the foundation for almost all of California's leading industries?
Almost all of the industries in which California leads the world — bio-tech, telecommunications, digital media, computers and semi-conductors, and environmental technologies — grew out of university-based research.
Who is discovering innovations that improve your life?
For 14 years running, UC has been the nation's leading university in the number of patents issued by the U.S. Patent Office. That means UC is creating new technologies, new products, new companies and new jobs for California all the time.