At the Georgia Center of Innovation, it’s our mission to help businesses clear the path to innovation and growth by meeting them where they are – providing expert advice, and helping them navigate resources tailored to the needs they are facing.

More specifically, the Center is Georgia’s leading source for expertise, connections, and innovative solutions to grow the state’s strategic industries by providing a high level of understanding, valuable relationship networks, and access to the latest information.

Our approach is unique and strategic.

By focusing on current needs AND by preparing for the future, our approach to supporting Georgia’s strategic industries is holistic, fostering long-term success.

First, we focus on the broader ecosystem within a wide array of industries, because for every industry, there are many parts that make up an entire ecosystem. From leading-edge research to startup companies and existing industry, to investment opportunities and other government partners – we collaborate with all aspects of these ecosystems to make each of Georgia’s industries stronger, and better positioned for growth.

We also look at what’s on the horizon for each of these industries.

A good example of that long-range foresight is the work that our Aerospace team began with unmanned systems (drones) in 2009 – before they were making everyday headlines. Our team knew that this sector would be important for the broader aerospace industry with long-term implications for Georgia. We gathered partners from industry, academia, and government to convene our first-ever Unmanned Systems Working Group. This small “think tank” began the conversation on how the Center of Innovation and the state could best support companies looking to enter this space. In addition, our Aerospace specialists teamed up with additional partners to provide avenues for businesses to test and demonstrate technology so they could more easily identify potential business opportunities.

So, when commercial opportunities became more available for unmanned systems in 2014, our team’s five-year development project laid a great foundation for the industry to grow and thrive in Georgia. Fast-forward to 2022, and this group is still leading information, connections, and updates to keep Georgia’s Unmanned Systems industry ahead of the curve.

Second, we leverage all of that work we do to grow and support each industry ecosystem to provide leading support to Georgia businesses, no matter where – or what size – they are.

Our dedicated team works with more than 500 businesses each year.

A few examples of the numerous types of support our team provides includes helping businesses:

• develop new products
• embrace the latest technology
• optimize their supply chain
• connect to research

Our specialty is drilling down to the details and linking new and expanding businesses to our expert staff, external partners, and other resources who can help find the right solution for business challenges.

Just ask Thomasville-based Sweet Grass Dairy.

As demand for their cheese products increased, they knew they needed to determine the shelf-life of their products to expand their business. However, finding the right contact can be a challenge. Working with our team, we identified the right university contact, made the introduction, and walked beside Sweet Grass Dairy throughout the process to ensure they received the assistance they needed.

The end result? A company that previously enjoyed mostly local distribution not only became a nationwide distributor with many major retailers, but also began exporting their product for the first time.

From the smallest entrepreneur starting their business to large Fortune 500 enterprises, where you see roadblocks, our team sees opportunity. We’re here to join your business journey and help navigate the landscape of resources in Georgia and beyond.

Connect (or reconnect) with us to find out how we can help you move further, faster: www.georgia.org/innovation.