“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 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 Business Incubation University – Business Applied R&D Regional Entrepreneur Development Support Marketing of the State 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

CENTERS OF INNOVATION Board of Regents: GA Tech EDI UGA SBDC ICAPP GREDC Ga Dept of Econ Dev OS&T Regional Staff Other State Agencies GRADTAE OneGA & DCA Private Industry Federal Research Grants Communities Private Universities Partners

Key Accomplishments in 1 st 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

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