If You Hate University Rankings Here’s One You Might Like

If your institution made the PitchBook Startup Index - it's time to shine!

Sep 5, 2024

6 min

If your university cares about fostering research and innovation and you haven’t heard of the PitchBook Startup Index, you might want to pay closer attention to this data. While it doesn't look like the PitchBook folks are aiming to be a big player in the world of academic rankings, their detailed tracking activity of startup investments, which includes deal size, school affiliation, and employees, gives us a window into how each institution is performing on startup activity.

Why This Is a University Ranking We Can Trust

It's Objective: These rankings are based on detailed startup data that PitchBook dutifully tracks as part of many paid services it provides for clients that include VC's, Private Equity Funds and government agencies. The investors who pay for access to the underlying data expect accuracy and there is a considerable amount of meta information available for tracking as startups raise money and hire employees.

It's Simple: The PitchBook rankings are free of the typical complexity found in other rankings such as the US News & World Report. They simply use a few key metrics including the number of startup founders affiliated with new ventures created at each institution and how much investment capital they have raised.

It's Revealing: Ranking this data as a Top 100 Index gives us a good comparative view of which Universities are doing a good job of creating an entrepreneurial environment that stimulates learning and research while attracting investment capital and creating high-value jobs.

Universities Need to Tell the Story Behind this Data to Build Support for Their Research & Startups

This data is followed closely by University Research and Tech Transfer Offices. However, it should also be actively used by other departments, such as University Marketing and Communications, Government Affairs, Enrolment and Fundraising/Development which need to build support with legislators, policymakers, funding agencies, donors, and corporate partners - and yes, new student prospects. The relevance and accuracy of these rankings make this an important opportunity for you to tell your story and engage these audiences.

"Promoting stories about your startups provides the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the relevance of your programs and narrow the gap between "town and gown." It's an opportunity to show how your faculty experts and researchers are nurturing innovation through startups to improve the lives of people in your local community and beyond."

Did Your University Make the List?

If the answer is yes, congrats! We would be remiss if I didn't recognize our clients who made the Top 100. Take a bow University of Florida, Vanderbilt University, University of Massachusetts, Michigan State University, University of California, Irvine and Rensselaer Polytechnic. Now it's time to get to work. As someone who has worked closely with startups and Universities over the past two decades, I see the immense value they create. That's why I'm surprised whenever I see university marketing teams missing valuable opportunities for promoting their faculty and research through the lens of startup activities.

The Benefits of Celebrating Startups

Research on startups (Shenkoya, 2023) shows that key factors such as access to research funds, dedicated faculty, size of dedicated staff (academic and non-academic), access to practical entrepreneurship courses, and non-regular curriculum startup activities are key factors responsible for success of University startups. However, proper funding for these programs in a challenging environment requires that Universities more effectively communicate the value they are delivering. Here's where you can shine:

Media: This is an obvious opportunity, especially with local outlets. It provides the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the relevance of your programs and narrow the gap between "town and gown." Show how these startups are looking to improve the lives of people in the community.

Corporate Partners: Startups are a natural focal point for conversations with industry partners, especially when you can speak to key market sectors and breakthrough research that faculty are focused on. Speak to how you are giving them more direct access to a pool of talented graduates. Also, don't forget to speak to programs you may be running in the areas of internships, mentorship programs, sponsored research, and curriculum development. Don't forget that engaging in educational partnerships helps companies improve their CSR profile, which can enhance their public image and brand. Also, explore how partners can financially support needed infrastructure improvements on the campus with funding for new facilities or new equipment.

Students: Giving startups an opportunity to tell their stories and celebrate their achievements is one of the best ways to demonstrate how you are aligning your educational and entrepreneurship programs with industry needs. And don't forget to include your corporate partners. As employers, they are in the best position to show how you are preparing students for next-generation jobs. Show students how they will get direct exposure to the industry through programs you may be running, such as co-op terms, internships, and mentorships, and startup events such as boot camps and pitch competitions.

Government: The data clearly shows that startups create high-value jobs and contribute to GDP growth. But governments today need constant reassurance that the funds they put into education and research are generating impact. You have to show the relevance of your startups by outlining how they are solving big societal problems that matter to voters. How are your startups leading socio-economic transformation for local communities and competing effectively on a global stage?

Tips for Telling Your Startup Stories

Focus on People

Humanize your story by speaking directly to how founders and their teams are approaching key market and societal challenges. Focus on important "origin story" elements such as their personal challenges or insights that led them to their first discovery.
Focus on notable collaborations they formed. How were faculty members or alumni involved in helping with research and market development or industry relationships?
Create a story arc. Give your audience an appreciation for how hard startups are and the amount of uncertainty and risk they face in developing new innovations. Startups are not an overnight success. People are even more inspired by non-linear journeys that show the grit and determination that founders need to bring to their startups.

Focus on Programs

Always be thinking about how founders and their stories can help boost student enrolment by connecting their origin stories to specific experiences they had on the campus.
Ask them how specific courses and programs prepared them for their entrepreneurial journey.
Also ask them what other experiences such as campus mentorship programs, hackathons or pitch competitions helped them achieve specific breakthroughs and milestones.

Focus on Photos & Videos

Startups provide a great opportunity to engage your audience visually. Go beyond boring headshots, monolithic campus buildings, and staged stock images.
Instead, use imagery that shows people creating new and exciting things together. This is not a time to be shy about asking founders, faculty, and funders to get in the shot and be recognized for their contributions. While you may think photo ops are overly promotional, they often help your partners communicate back to their constituency the importance of supporting your work.
Walk the campus to get behind the scenes and show lab facilities, technology prototypes, and in-field work.

Partners

Profile notable investors, faculty, foundations, government agencies, alumni and corporate partners who may have invested time, money and other resources that help validate the quality of the startups you are helping build.
Remember, startups are like a barn-raising, that involves a larger community. Give these partners an opportunity to be visible part of the story and they will celebrate with you and amplify your message to reach a bigger, more engaged audience.

Proof

Show evidence that the startups you are supporting are making a difference. Use your startups as an opportunity to speak to the bigger picture of why your institution matters. Speak to how they are tackling bigger challenges in areas such as environment, healthcare, social justice, the economy, physical infrastructure, security, election integrity and social innovation. Also make sure to demonstrate measurable impact in key areas such as:

Total Addressable Market
Job creation
Investment activities
Industry Awards
Partnerships
Patents
Customer /Revenue Milestones

It's Your Time to Shine

In an era where impact is increasingly measured by the ability to translate research into real-world applications, universities have a unique opportunity to show the value of their startup ecosystems. But you need to get the stories out beyond the campus. Use your momentum to build a compelling narrative that makes your startups the heroes of your institution's story.

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Jul 7, 2026

4 min

Built to Last: What It Takes to Compete Across Generations of World Cups

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is giving fans an unusual view of football history: several of the game’s biggest names are still competing long after most elite careers have ended. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are appearing in their sixth World Cups. Ronaldo has scored twice in this tournament and 10 times overall, while Messi has added six goals in 2026 to reach 19 for his World Cup career. Luka Modrić is playing in his fifth tournament. Neymar and Kevin De Bruyne are each appearing in their fourth. Those numbers say something important about talent. They say even more about durability. Reaching one World Cup is difficult. Returning four, five or six times means surviving nearly two decades of club schedules, injuries, travel, tactical changes and competition from younger players. It also means finding new ways to contribute when the body no longer responds exactly as it once did. That opens up several timely questions for journalists covering this final stage of their careers. Below, experts in sports science, biomechanics, psychology and sports business offer perspective on what it takes to compete across multiple World Cups—and what allows some players to remain influential long after their physical peak. What does it take physically to last this long? The World Cup lasts only a few weeks, but the careers behind it are built over thousands of training sessions and matches. For older players, the challenge is not simply staying fit. It is managing fatigue, recovering faster and avoiding the injury that could end the run. Hofstra exercise physiologist Katie Sell can speak to the less visible work behind these careers: sleep, hydration, nutrition, endurance and the tighter recovery window athletes face as they age. At the University of Delaware, Tom Kaminski brings expertise in soccer injuries, concussions and player safety. He can help explain how accumulated wear, repeated head impacts and return-to-play decisions influence whether a player can continue at the highest level. Texas Christian University’s Peter Weyand, an expert in sprint mechanics and running performance, can discuss what happens to speed and acceleration over time—and which physical qualities can still be protected through training. How do great players change their game? Longevity rarely comes from playing the same way forever. Ronaldo moved from the wing into a more central scoring role. Messi became more selective with his movement. Modrić continued to control matches through timing, positioning and awareness rather than physical dominance. These are not signs that aging players have stopped influencing games. They are signs that influence has changed. Carnegie Mellon biomechanics researcher Eni Halilaj can speak to how athletes adjust their movement patterns, conserve energy and reduce physical strain as they get older, while her colleague Eric Yttri, who studies motor control and decision-making, can explain how anticipation and experience allow veteran players to act earlier and more efficiently. Texas Christian University’s Peter Weyand can also add context on why older players often change positions, reduce repeated sprinting or become more selective about when they make high-intensity runs. Why keep coming back? By the time a player reaches a fourth or fifth World Cup, money and recognition are unlikely to be the main reasons for continuing. The harder question is what keeps an athlete committed after years of success, injuries and public scrutiny—especially when their role may be smaller than it once was. TCU sport psychology expert Robyn Trocchio can speak to motivation, focus and how accomplished athletes continue setting meaningful goals late in their careers. Hofstra’s Genevieve Weber can address performance anxiety, media pressure and the emotional weight of entering what may be a final international tournament. Georgia Southern sport psychologist Brandonn Harris can discuss resilience, confidence and the mental discipline required to recover from injury, disappointment and changing expectations. How should an aging superstar be judged? Goals are easy to count. Leadership, timing and influence are not. A veteran player may no longer dominate every match, but may still shape how teammates prepare, how opponents defend and how supporters respond. For coaches, that creates a difficult balance between reputation, current performance and what an experienced player brings in moments of pressure. At Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, Michael Lewis can discuss the value of global stars beyond the score sheet, including fan interest, brand strength and the attention they bring to a national team. Carnegie Mellon University’s Eric Yttri can speak to the on-field contributions that statistics often miss, including positioning, anticipation and decision-making. Texas Christian University’s Robyn Trocchio can address the leadership side of the story, including the difficult transition from automatic starter to mentor, substitute or situational player. A generation nearing the end The 2026 World Cup may be remembered not only for the players who emerged, but for the ones who were leaving. Ronaldo, Messi, Modrić, Neymar and De Bruyne have played through different tactical eras and alongside multiple generations of teammates. Their longevity was not built on talent alone. It required adaptation, recovery, discipline and a willingness to accept that staying great sometimes means becoming a different kind of player. For reporters, their careers offer a timely way to examine how elite athletes age—and why some remain relevant long after the normal limits of the game suggest they should.

Jun 29, 2026

2 min

America at 250: CMU Experts Explore the Ideas, People and Events That Shaped a Nation

Throughout 2026, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding, a milestone that is prompting reflection on the nation's history, its defining moments, and the people and ideas that continue to shape its future. From the founding principles of democracy and constitutional rights to social movements, innovation, and overlooked stories from America's past, Carnegie Mellon University scholars and experts offer timely insight into the issues and events driving the national conversation. Whether reporting on anniversary celebrations, historical milestones, or the enduring impact of America's past on today's challenges, CMU experts are available to provide informed analysis and historical context. What CMU Experts Can Help You Cover From founding documents to untold histories, CMU experts can speak to the full range of topics for America at 250. The Document in the Archive One of only five known copies of the 1792 Bill of Rights is held at Carnegie Mellon University. As America marks its 250th anniversary, this rare artifact is on public display -- and the story behind it connects directly to debates about rights, citizenship, and constitutional interpretation that are as live today as they were in the founding era. The Constitution on Trial For 250 years, the Supreme Court has been the ultimate interpreter of America's founding documents. But how justices write those decisions -- the rhetoric, the emotion, the moral grandstanding -- shapes how law is understood and applied for generations. What does the language of fundamental rights decisions tell us about American democracy? The History That Was Left Out Official celebrations tend to center on the founders. But historians have spent decades recovering the stories of enslaved people, women, immigrants, and communities whose contributions shaped the nation and whose experiences complicate the triumphant narrative. Dr. Edda Fields-Black's 2025 Pulitzer Prize-winning book on Harriet Tubman and the Combahee River Raid is a reminder of just how much of that history is still being uncovered. What does a fuller American history look like at 250? Suffrage, Memory, and the Myth We Tell The story of how American women won the right to vote is one of the most retold in the country's history -- and one of the most mythologized. As the nation reflects on 250 years of democracy, what does the suffrage movement really tell us about how America progresses, and how it remembers its own progress? Covering America at 250? Carnegie Mellon University's historians, legal scholars, archivists, and subject matter experts are available for interviews, background briefings, and commentary on the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the United States over the past 250 years - and what that history means today.

Jun 23, 2026

2 min

Brexit at 10: A Decade After the Vote That Changed Britain

On June 23, 2016, voters in the United Kingdom made a historic decision that would reshape the country's relationship with Europe and reverberate around the world. Ten years later, Brexit remains one of the most significant political and economic events of the modern era, with its effects still being felt across trade, immigration, governance, and international relations. While the United Kingdom formally left the European Union in 2020, debate continues over Brexit's long-term impact. Supporters point to greater national sovereignty and independent trade policy, while critics highlight economic challenges, labour shortages, and new barriers to commerce. The referendum's legacy has also influenced political movements beyond Britain, sparking broader conversations about globalization, national identity, and the future of multinational institutions. As policymakers, businesses, and citizens assess a decade of change, experts are examining what Brexit has achieved, where it has fallen short, and what it reveals about the evolving relationship between democracy, economics, and national sovereignty. Covering - we can help! We have experts available to discuss the origins of Brexit, its lasting consequences, and what the next decade may hold for the United Kingdom and Europe. Topic and Questions to Consider: The political history and causes of Brexit U.K.–European Union relations Trade, investment, and economic impacts Immigration and labour market policy Nationalism, populism, and democratic movements The future of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the United Kingdom Britain's role in global affairs after Brexit Lessons from Brexit for policymakers around the world Key Questions What factors drove the Brexit vote in 2016? How has Brexit changed Britain's economy and trade relationships? What impact has Brexit had on immigration and labour markets? Has Brexit strengthened or weakened the United Kingdom's global influence? How have Scotland and Northern Ireland been affected? What lessons can other countries learn from Brexit? Could the U.K. and European Union move toward closer cooperation in the future? What does Brexit reveal about voter attitudes toward globalization and national sovereignty? Our leading experts can provide analysis on the political, economic, and social legacy of Brexit, the evolving relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, and the broader implications for democracies navigating questions of identity, sovereignty, and international cooperation. Connect with an expert today:

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