“Centers of Innovation bring together research and local assets in midsized Georgia cities to attract company interest and technology-based economic development.”

Governor Sonny Perdue

As of July 2004, the Georgia Centers of Innovation program has been funded through a One Georgia grant to launch five centers

throughout the state.

Innovation Centers Mission

Increase innovation, entrepreneurship and technology job creation

throughout the state

Each center supports the growth of an existing industry cluster by fostering joint industry-university applied research, providing incubation services to technology start-up companies, and providing entrepreneurial training and outreach to its region.

Georgia Centers of Innovation

AerospaceMacon/Warner Robins

Agriculture TechnologiesTifton

Information TechnologyColumbus

Life SciencesAugusta

Maritime LogisticsSavannah

AerospaceMacon/Warner Robins

Agriculture TechnologiesTifton

Information TechnologyColumbus

Life SciencesAugusta

Maritime LogisticsSavannahMaritime LogisticsSavannah

Manufacturing - Gainesville

Georgia Centers of Innovation

Maritime Logistics - Savannah

Information Technology - Columbus

Agriculture Technologies - Tifton

Aerospace – Warner Robins

Life Sciences - Augusta

Innovation Center Primary Functions/Strategies

Innovation Center

Technology BusinessIncubation

University – Business Applied R&D

Regional Entrepreneur

Development Support

Marketing of theState as a Technology

Destination

• Business Mentoring

•Service Provider Support Network

• Flexible Office/Lab Space

•SBIR Assistance

•Investment Network

• Corporate Membership

• Industry Driven and Partnered Research

•Matching Research Grants

• Product Development & Testing

•University Tech Transfer

• Traveling Entrepreneur Outreach Specialist

• Entrepreneur Training

•Certification Reviews for Entrepreneur Development Programs

• Matching Grant Fund for Entrepreneur Development Programs

Private Universities

Communities

Federal Research

Grants

Private Industry

OneGA & DCA

DTAE

GRA

Other StateAgencies

Ga Dept of Econ DevOS&T

Regional Staff

Board of Regents:GA Tech EDIUGA SBDC

ICAPPGREDC

CENTERS OF INNOVATION

Partners

Key Accomplishments in 1st Year

– Five Centers staffed and operational– Together over 15 industry member companies

• And over $350,000 in membership contribution– Federal R&D Funding of $1,950,000 (3 separate awards)– Estimate Job Creation – 60+– 4 University / Industry Collaborative R&D Projects – 7 start-up companies or landing parties added to incubator facilities– 9 Communities in Entrepreneur Friendly Certification Program– Over 30 Entrepreneur Assistance Projects completed or underway– Energizing Entrepreneur workshops provided to over 30 communities

with 110 participants

Estimated ROI > 300%

Example Activities

– R&D project with AFLAC and GT to data mapping (Columbus).

– Smart Container Tracking at Savannah Port– Computer modeling for Lean Practices Training in Warner

Robins– Precision Irrigation Start-up company in Tifton– 5 new members and 4 sponsors for new Life Science center

in Augusta– Entrepreneur Outreach Specialist assisting RFID tag start-up

healthcare company in Toombs county– Strategic business planning assistance for new $65 million

manufacturing plant

Goals for FY06

– Start-up Manufacturing Innovation Center in Gainesville

– Increase industry membership by 50% to 30 members

– Recruit more than 10 start-up companies for incubation

– Increase Applied R&D projects activity to at least 8 projects and $400,000 in matching funds

– Attract at least $1,000,000 in additional Federal Funding

– Certify at least 15 communities as Entrepreneur Friendly

– Conduct over 150 Entrepreneur outreach projects

– New Jobs created or saved greater than 150

For additional information visit:www.georgiainnovation.org