How we move innovations to market
A primer to I&E's seed investment and senior-level counsel
If you’re a faculty researcher employed by any accredited public or private university in Georgia – GRA can help you turn your discovery or invention into a startup company or licensed product.
Our innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) program offers:
- Two kinds of grants to universities developing innovations. These grants “de-risk” the technology – first by exploring its potential, then by preparing it for outside investment. And the grants are non-dilutive; GRA does not have a financial stake in the project.
- Favorable loans to startup companies. They bridge the gap between technology development and external financing/investment. GRA’s loans support companies launched around a technology from a Georgia university.
- Commercialization expertise. “Beyond the check,” GRA’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship team provides direct guidance and brings a corps of seasoned advisors to the table.
GRA Grants
Exploratory Grants (Up to $10,000 available)
Exploratory Grants support small, focused projects that answer foundational questions:
- Is my core technology feasible? Does it actually do what the team believes it can do?
- Is there a market for it? Is there reason to believe customers will buy it?
- Should we keep going? A structured go/no-go decision — not a commitment to build, but a commitment to find out
Exploratory grants are, by design, limited in scope. They support activities such as:
- targeted experiments confirming technical feasibility
- early prototype or proof-of-function testing
- limited benchmarking against existing solutions
- early customer discovery or market validation
The outcomes from exploratory projects inform the next stage of development. They often serve as the foundation for a subsequent Development Grant.
Development Grants ($10,000 – $250,000 available)
Development Grants support milestone-driven projects that propel technologies toward commercialization.
These projects typically focus on reducing technical risk and demonstrating meaningful differentiation from products and services already available. The grants also prepare technologies for:
- startup company launch
- licensing through an outside entity
- external capital from the Innovation & Entrepreneurship program
GRA Development Grants support such activities as:
- developing and refining prototypes
- validating technologies and conducting benchmark studies
- conducting preclinical testing (therapeutics, medical technologies)
- conducing pilot manufacturing or system integration work
- analyzing the IP and regulatory landscapes
- deploying and evaluating pilots with customers or partners
GRA may award more than one Development Grant if a project makes meaningful progress or if additional milestones justify added investment. • How to apply for a GRA grant >
GRA Loans
After a startup company forms around a Georgia university technology, GRA may provide a Startup Loan to help the company further develop its technology to attract external financing.
These loans are typically awarded in amounts up to $250,000 to support activities such as:
- further develop products
- launch pilot products
- engage early customers
GRA Startup Loans are deployed in tranches around achieved milestones, rather than on a fixed calendar. They’re also non-dilutive – GRA does not maintain a financial stake in the company – and convertible at a point when the company benefits, such as when new investment arrives.
Important: Only companies with substantial operations in Georgia and founded on Georgia university technologies are eligible for GRA loans.
More on applying for a GRA grant or loan >
Commercialization Expertise
Enterprising university researchers in Georgia often need added guidance when moving their innovations to market. GRA provides:
- Counsel from industry advisors and experienced entrepreneurs, including GRA Senior Advisors, throughout the I&E process
- Connections to potential management talent
- Introductions to investors and strategic partners
- Expertise through I&E’s team
The goal is to help university researchers navigate key decisions and connect with Georgia’s broader innovation ecosystem.
GRA Program Contacts
Justin Burns
Chief Innovation Officer and VP, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Justin.Burns@gra.org
Andrew Short
Associate Director, Innovation
Andrew.Short@gra.org
General inquiries: Grants@GRA.org
