Raleigh, North Carolina, USA: Indian American business leader Ashutosh Vats has been named to the North Carolina Innovation Council, an appointment made by Governor Josh Stein as the state continues to expand its innovation-driven initiatives.
Vats officially took the oath of office on December 5. He is one of two new members added to the council. The other appointee, Jonathan Greene, was selected by Lieutenant Governor Hunt and formally sworn in during the council’s October 29 meeting held in Raleigh.
These new appointments align with the council’s ongoing efforts to reinforce North Carolina’s reputation as a leading center for innovation and emerging technologies at the national level.
Reacting to the announcement on LinkedIn, Vats expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating that he looks forward to supporting North Carolina’s goal of maintaining its status as a premier innovation hub and contributing to the state’s long-term growth and development.
The North Carolina Innovation Council serves as a collaborative platform that includes lawmakers, entrepreneurs, academic experts, and industry professionals. Its primary objective is to encourage innovation while developing adaptive regulatory policies, including oversight of the state’s Regulatory Sandbox Program.
This program allows new and developing technologies to be tested within a controlled regulatory environment. Participation is open to startups, financial and insurance firms, research institutions, and technology innovators seeking flexible compliance pathways during early-stage development.
Doug Hague, chair of the North Carolina Innovation Council, welcomed the new members, noting that both bring valuable experience across finance, technology, and corporate governance. He emphasised that their combined expertise will play a key role in advancing innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth across the state’s technology sectors.
Vats brings more than 15 years of professional experience in finance and growth-focused technology advisory services. He has worked closely with executive teams, boards, and investment sponsors on strategic capital market initiatives. Currently, he serves as a managing director at ICR Capital, where he advises senior leadership on initial public offerings and other major capital-raising transactions.
