Business and Economic Development

From Isekai to IT: How an Esports Startup Builds the Workforce

admin — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 12:52:40 +0000

From Isekai to IT: How an Esports Startup Builds the Workforce admin Wed, 07/30/2025 - 08:52

More than 1,000 cosplayers, gamers, and nerds took over Macon, Georgia’s, annual Cherry Blossom Festival in late March. They were there for the fourth year of the CBF Isekai convention, which celebrates all things anime, cosplay, and esports, but Isekai offers more than a weekend of fun. Participants could enter gaming competitions that might help them land a future cybersecurity or IT job.

CBF Isekai is sponsored by SON Technologies — short for Swagged Out Nerds — a Macon esports company focused on workforce development. SON believes the best gamers can also become promising IT professionals.

A startup founded by two Air Force veterans, SON is already making a name for itself in the esports world and has support from Georgia Tech. It is one of the Accelerate companies in the startup portfolio of Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), one of the oldest and most successful university-affiliated incubators in the United States.

Swagged Out Start

SON founders Jason Clarke and John Robinson first met when they both worked in cybersecurity in the Air Force. As they transitioned to civilian IT careers, they realized a perhaps unlikely source sparked their IT expertise — video games. In 2019, the two partnered to create an esports competition team for veterans, but they knew the company’s mission could be bigger.

“When people think of gamers, you think of a 40-year-old person in their mom’s basement,” Clarke said. “But we wanted to change the perception. Gamers have employable skills that can be used for substantial IT work.”

For example, when a person plays a multiplayer game like Fortnite, they can assume a leadership role, delivering directives to their teams. What may look like mere play actually entails planning, organizing, and executing. Even a simple task like troubleshooting a household wi-fi network is a skill that can be expanded on with the right training.

From Player to Professional

SON wants both kid and adult gamers to know they have options. They regularly host gaming tournaments and conventions to find people who would be right for their programs and cultivate community. Through a partnership with digital education company Aperion Global Institute and cybersecurity certification organization EC-Council, Clarke and Robinson administer a high school-level curriculum highlighting the synergies between IT and gaming.

Adults also have opportunities. Past SON tournament competitors can take an eight-week program, Sticks to Clicks, to turn their gaming skills into IT proficiency. These initiatives come at a crucial time: Between now and 2030, according to O*NET OnLine, 51,000 cybersecurity jobs in the state of Georgia are expected to be vacant.

Game-Changing Career Paths

The programs’ benefits are already tangible. One adult participant in Sticks to Clicks had an annual income of less than $10,000 before joining the program. In the first seven weeks, he earned a certification in CompTIA Security+. In the eighth and final week, he interviewed with some of SON’s workforce partners. He was ultimately hired to install network infrastructure for $46,000 a year.

High school students have had similar success. In the 2025-26 school year alone, 150 students went through the SON program and received stackable credentials that can prepare them for IT careers even if they don’t go to college.

All of this momentum got ATDC’s attention, and SON Tech was accepted as a portfolio company in Fall 2024. Both Georgia AIM and the Air Force went to Macon for the 2025 Isekai convention and met potential employees firsthand. They saw that SON was just getting started.

The ATDC Connection

SON joined ATDC in 2024 under the AI and Manufacturing vertical sponsored by Georgia AIM, a statewide coalition to advance manufacturing using AI. SON is one of ATDC’s first middle Georgia companies, but the entire state will experience benefits. Through ATDC, SON can use Georgia Tech resources, meet experts in grant applications and corporate networking, and plug into the startup ecosystem in Atlanta. The three-to-five-year program helps startups scale up.

“The truth is when you’re starting a company, the first few years are the worst of your life,” said Nwanyinma Dike, who serves as the Georgia AIM and ATDC liaison. In this role, she advises SON. “Connecting into a community of folks rooting for you, listening to you, helping you breathe through whatever challenges occur is one of the most valuable resources ATDC has to offer.”

The size of the March Isekai event was only possible thanks to ATDC’s support. They helped SON fundraise by finding the right sponsors.

“We went from starting this convention in a pizza shop to now packing an entire plaza downtown,” Clarke said. “To see the growth is amazing. We've received a lot of industry backing because of the creative ways we're helping workforce development.”

Dike wants to ensure the event wasn’t a one-off and that SON can keep up the momentum. SON is already planning an even bigger 2026 Isekai convention, with exciting new partners in the pipeline who want to share in the energy of this creative workforce development solution and movement.

SON also announced a partnership with gaming company Blaze Fire Games and the Houston County School District. The school district can access Blaze Fire Games’ Recruit, Reclaim, and Retain career pathway program, which is designed to help close the technology industry’s vast talent gap.

“The partnership is exciting because it represents more than creating and launching an esports club,” said Isiah Reese, CEO and co-founder of Blaze Fire Games. “This agreement allows our company to continue creating opportunities and develop relevant, sustainable career-readiness skills required to compete in today’s environment.”

Sherri Johnson, the CEO and principal of Houston County College and Career Academy, agrees. "The partnership is a real game-changer for our students. These unique, forward-thinking, 21st-century digital economy workforce educational courses will empower our instructors to reimagine and enhance classroom learning within our cybersecurity and gaming career pathway programs.”

SON is ready to rise to whatever industry or challenge needs their model next. What they have been able to do for the IT and cybersecurity fields could eventually be applied to the Federal Aviation Administration or even healthcare technician jobs. There’s an entirely new way to develop the tech world field, and it may not start in a classroom but with a controller.

Summary sentence

SON Technologies is part of Georgia Tech’s startup incubator, ATDC.

Summary

Dateline

Mon, 07/21/2025 - 12:00

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Tess Malone, Senior Research Writer/Editor

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Wed, 07/30/2025 - 08:51

Scientists Pinpoint Hazards for Engineered Stone Fabrication Shop Workers

admin — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 18:23:41 +0000

Scientists Pinpoint Hazards for Engineered Stone Fabrication Shop Workers admin Mon, 07/28/2025 - 14:23

You've probably seen fabricated stone countertops on an HGTV remodeling show — and you might even have them in your own home.

The durable, affordable, and highly customizable product debuted in Italy in the 1970s and continues to grow in popularity. Between 2010 and 2018, U.S. imports of engineered stone slabs increased by 800%. One report predicted that global demand will increase 5.4% each year, to reach 97 million square meters by 2028.

Sometimes referred to as manufactured stone or quartz (which is, confusingly, also the name of one of its main components), to the untrained eye, the material looks no different from natural stone. One of its biggest advantages is that it can be made to resemble marble, granite, or nearly any other stone.

Beneath the material’s familiar smooth surface, however, lie safety risks for engineered stone workers.

Research conducted by a team of Georgia Tech scientists demonstrates that everyone in a fabrication shop is at risk, not just the workers cutting and fashioning the material.

The group included members of the Enterprise Innovation Institute’s Safety, Health, and Environmental Services (SHES) program: Jenny Houlroyd, Hilarie Warren, Brandon J. Philpot, and Sean Castillo. Together with Jhy-Charm Soo of Georgia Southern University, they recently published their findings in Oxford Academic.

The study divided engineered stone workers into four risk groups and charted their relative exposure to the material’s chief hazard: respirable crystalline silica.

A “Toxic Product”

Engineered stone differs notably from its natural counterpart, both in composition and in danger to worker health.

A stone slab cut from the ground, such as granite or marble, comprises several different minerals and typically has a concentration of 40% or less of mineral crystalline silica — usually quartz, which is the most abundant form of crystalline silica.

Engineered stone, however, can contain more than 90% silica. Slabs are produced when silica is crushed, combined with synthetic resins, and compressed using heat or pressure.

During fabrication, these slabs are cut and shaped by powered hand tools. The resulting dust contains tiny particles of respirable crystalline silica. Once inhaled, some of the particulate may stay in the lungs and cause an inflammatory response.

While crystalline silica is released from both natural and engineered slabs during fabrication, the engineered slabs’ significantly higher percentage of silica poses a much greater risk to human health.

A growing body of research indicates that breathing engineered stone dust leads to lung inflammation and can cause acute silicosis, an untreatable lung disease.

“I would classify engineered stone as a really toxic product,” said Houlroyd, manager of occupational health services at SHES. “When you have something that’s high-risk, you have to prepare for systems to fail and have backup measures.”

Committed to Safety

Over six years, the SHES research group collected air-sampling data, making 17 visits to 11 Georgia stone fabrication shops. The shops had all requested air-sampling services offered by SHES.

“The companies agree that by working with us, they commit to correcting the hazards and reducing exposures, as much as is feasible,” Houlroyd noted.

Because most kitchen and bathroom countertop fabrication shops are small employers, workers often complete a variety of tasks, resulting in a range of exposure factors.

The research team recommended that all manufactured stone fabrication workers wear respirators, such as an N95 mask. For employees who are the most exposed, they recommended a respirator with a powered air-purifying element or supplied air.

But personal protective equipment (PPE) alone does not ensure safe conditions.

“Most of the workers in this industry are relying on respirators as their primary source of protection, and they need a lot more to protect them,” explained Houlroyd. “PPE is the last line of defense, and safety needs to be addressed from all angles.”

Part of that multifaceted strategy includes repeated monitoring of air quality and equipment. It’s also crucial for employers to make sure that exposure risks are understood by all workers — not just employees, but also contract and day laborers, as well as those working for cash.

More Than Just a Job

As members of SHES, the Georgia Tech research team members are first and foremost health and safety consultants, with expertise spanning industrial hygiene, environmental compliance, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.

For Houlroyd, worker safety is not just a professional calling; it’s also a personal mission.

“My dad got sick with brain cancer from exposure to contaminants on the job, and he died four years ago,” she said.

“Though he didn’t work in the manufactured stone industry, his story is representative of many people who go to work each day to feed their family, are not aware of workplace hazards, and then find themselves sick.”

The public can play a part in worker safety, too.

“Consumers have a choice and can educate themselves about what type of countertop materials they choose to have installed — like how we look at food labels for nutritional information,” said Warren, who oversees the OSHA Training Institute Education Center at Georgia Tech.

“We should be aware of the risk to workers, as well as how the installation process in our homes should be properly managed to prevent dust contamination,” she added.

A Zero-Risk Solution

In 2024, Australia eliminated the risks associated with engineered stone fabrication. Despite having enacted stronger regulations in 2019, the country continued to see a rise in silicosis cases resulting from exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

Australia’s solution? Enacting a ban on the import and fabrication of the material until its safe manufacture can be demonstrated.

In their report, the Georgia Tech group recommends that the U.S. do the same. As Houlroyd put it, “I would love to see our country find a safer substitution and take this dangerous product off the market.”

____________________

Title: “Respirable dust and respirable crystalline silica exposures among workers at stone countertop fabrication shops in Georgia from 2017 through 2023”

Conflict of interest: Jenny Houlroyd has served as an expert witness in silicosis legal cases unrelated to this research. All other authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding: The U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as part of the OSHA 21(d) Consultation Program grant.

DOI: https://academic.oup.com/annweh/advance-article/doi/10.1093/annweh/wxaf014/8116008?utm_source=advanceaccess&utm_campaign=annweh&utm_medium=email

Summary sentence

Engineered stone has been in use for homes since the 1970s but creates serious health hazards for workers who produce them.

Summary

Australia enacted a ban on the import and fabrication of manufactured stone slabs because of health hazard concerns. Researchers from Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern University recommend the U.S. do the same.

Dateline

Mon, 07/28/2025 - 12:00

eve.tolpa@innovate.gatech.edu

Contact

Eve Tolpa
eve.tolpa@innovate.gatech.edu

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683317

Source updated

Mon, 07/28/2025 - 14:22

Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership at Georgia Tech Celebrates 65 Years of Service

admin — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 22:43:40 +0000

Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership at Georgia Tech Celebrates 65 Years of Service admin Thu, 07/24/2025 - 18:43

The Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a program of the Enterprise Innovation Institute at Georgia Tech, received recognition by Gov. Brian P. Kemp at the Georgia State Capitol for 65 years of service to the manufacturing industry.

The commendation acknowledged GaMEP for leveraging its world-renowned expertise and resources to advance manufacturing and economic prosperity across the state, supporting an industry that adds $82 billion to the economy and employs 425,000 residents, according to the National Association of Manufacturers.

This impact reflects decades of intentional growth and support for the industry. By 1960, more than 4,500 manufacturers had planted roots across Georgia — the result of strategic efforts by state leaders, with economic development assistance from Georgia Tech, to industrialize the economy. But growth brought new challenges. Manufacturers needed technical support to stay competitive. In response, the Georgia General Assembly voted to establish the Georgia Tech Industrial Extension Service (now known as the GaMEP). This created statewide field offices that provide a direct link between industry and innovation, delivering on-site technical expertise to help manufacturers thrive.

“Our role is to support those manufacturers so together we can help grow the state’s economy — and we’ve been really successful at that,” said Tim Israel, GaMEP director and EI2 associate vice president for corporate engagement/firm-based programs. “In 2024, Georgia experienced a significant return on its investment with the GaMEP generating an impressive $294 for every state dollar allocated to manufacturing projects. This remarkable outcome highlights the critical importance of the state’s strategic investments in strengthening Georgia’s manufacturing sector.”

Over the past decade alone, the GaMEP has provided assistance and education to more than 3,900 manufacturers across 144 counties, helping them create or retain 14,500 jobs, invest $1 billion in capital improvements, realize $3.5 billion in sales, and save nearly $450 million in costs. The GaMEP primarily serves small- to medium-sized manufacturers with 75% employing less than 250 workers. Its top-served industries include fabricated metal products, food, machinery, and chemical and transportation equipment manufacturing.

“When Georgia manufacturers become more productive and profitable, they hire more people, pay better wages, and stabilize local economies, especially in rural and underserved areas of the state,” said David Bridges, EI2 vice president. “This also creates pathways for career advancement for frontline workers who might not have had previous opportunities.”

Today, GaMEP’s reach spans 10 regions across the state, each led by a dedicated region manager who lives and works locally, offering manufacturers direct, knowledgeable connections to its expert team, valuable resources, and diverse partners.

“The GaMEP has been a trusted collaborator and valued partner in strengthening manufacturing across Georgia,” said Lloyd Avram, Georgia Association of Manufacturers CEO and president. “Together, we’ve supported thousands of manufacturers statewide — helping them embrace innovation, improve operations, and remain competitive. We appreciate their extensive expertise and shared dedication to advancing the industry, and we look forward to continuing our work together to ensure Georgia remains one of the best states for manufacturing.”

GaMEP’s impact and success by region, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development regions:

Coastal Region

Counties: Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, and Screven.
Manufacturers served: 269.
Jobs created/retained: 283.
Capital improvement investment: $23,171,292.
Costs saved: $1,645,061.
Sales realized: $13,965,000.
Success story: Roger Wood Foods.

East Region

Counties: Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington, and Wilkes.
Manufacturers served: 169.
Jobs created/retained: 3,899.
Capital improvement investment: $127,754,280.
Costs saved: $14,771,582.
Sales realized: $975,465,000.
Success story: Nutritional Resources.

East Central Region

Counties: Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton.
Manufacturers served: 209.
Jobs created/retained: 621.
Capital improvement investment: $19,703,035.
Costs saved: $2,535,494.
Sales realized: $29,486,000.
Success stories: Creature Comforts Brewing Company and Poly Tech Industries.

Metro Atlanta Region

Counties: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale.
Manufacturers served: 1,601.
Jobs created/retained: 2,928.
Capital improvement investment: $235,763,480.
Costs saved: $112,083,262.
Sales realized: $844,679,890.
Success stories: Compass Technology Group, Construction Specialties, and Highland Forge.

Middle Region

Counties: Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Twiggs, and Wilkinson.
Manufacturers served: 170.
Jobs created/retained: 972.
Capital improvement investment: $121,814,846.
Costs saved: $8,810,950.
Sales realized: $300,213,400.
Success story: Unified Defense.

Northeast Region

Counties: Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White.
Manufacturers served: 280.
Jobs created/retained: 1,029.
Capital improvement investment: $88,443,395.
Costs saved: $63,999,228.
Sales realized: $259,453,900.
Success story: Freudenberg Sealing Technologies.

Northwest Region

Counties: Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker, and Whitfield.
Manufacturers served: 387.
Jobs created/retained: 1,090.
Capital improvement investment: $ $92,948,931.
Costs saved: $141,460,651.
Sales realized: $326,366,408.
Success story: Trenton Pressing.

South Region

Counties: Appling, Bleckley, Candler, Dodge, Emanuel, Evans, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne, Wheeler, and Wilcox.
Manufacturers served: 176.
Jobs created/retained: 969.
Capital improvement investment: $219,300,221.
Costs saved: $6,596,254.
Sales realized: $39,632,275.
Success story: Healthy Pet.

Southeast Region

Counties: Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Turner, and Ware.
Manufacturers served: 166.
Jobs created/retained: 281.
Capital improvement investment: $20,684,800.
Costs saved: $3,098,700.
Sales realized: $77,724,500.
Success stories: CJB Industries and South Georgia Pecan.

Southwest Region

Counties: Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, and Worth.
Manufacturers served: 130.
Jobs created/retained: 130.
Capital improvement investment: $12,266,730.
Costs saved: $1,682,790.
Sales realized: $5,002,020.
Success story: Sweet Grass Dairy.

West Region

Counties: Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, and Webster.
Manufacturers served: 111.
Jobs created/retained: 713.
Capital improvement investment: $37,948,131.
Costs saved: $3,197,600.
Sales realized: $69,588,348.
Success story: Oneda Corporation.

West Central Region

Counties: Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup, and Upson.
Manufacturers served: 234.
Jobs created/retained: 1,658.
Capital improvement investment: $90,750,763.
Costs saved: $89,931,074.
Sales realized: $615,900,002.
Success stories: Complete Truck Bodies and Mountville Mills.

For more information about GaMEP’s impact, including impact by county, visit gamep.org/statewide-impact.

About the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership
The Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a program of the Enterprise Innovation Institute at Georgia Tech, serves manufacturers by offering solution-based assistance that promotes top-line growth and reduces bottom-line cost. The GaMEP, a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership, has advanced manufacturing and economic prosperity in Georgia since 1960. For more information, visit gamep.org and like/follow on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

Summary sentence

Gov. Brian Kemp recognizes GaMEP history and impact serving manufacturers in Georgia.

Summary

The commendation celebrates GaMEP’s commitment to supporting manufacturers across the state through educational opportunities and technical assistance.

Dateline

Thu, 07/24/2025 - 12:00

peralte@gatech.edu

Contact

Péralte Paul
peralte@gatech.edu
404.316.1210

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Enterprise Innovation Institute

Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership

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Business and Economic Development

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Business

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Manufacturing

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Workforce Development

Mercury ID

683266

Source updated

Thu, 07/24/2025 - 18:42

Georgia Tech, Emory Expand Research at Science Square

admin — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:39:41 +0000

Georgia Tech, Emory Expand Research at Science Square admin Wed, 06/18/2025 - 15:39

Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University are taking medical and biomedical research to the next level by moving seven cutting-edge labs into Science Square, the Southeast’s premier life sciences district. This expansion is more than just growth in square footage; it marks a major push to establish Atlanta as a Top 5 technology hub in the U.S.

“Science Square Labs marks a pivotal step forward for Georgia Tech and for Atlanta’s growing life sciences ecosystem. We’re not only accelerating our research and innovation — we’re building powerful momentum across the region,” said Ángel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech. “Our labs moving to this space will attract top talent and drive medical innovation. The move sets the stage for transformative discoveries, and we hope others will join us to continue Atlanta’s evolution into a global hub for medical breakthroughs.”

This move comes as Georgia Tech saw a 46% increase in research awards from 2018 to 2024, evidence of the Institute’s fast-growing impact. By adding these labs, Atlanta strengthens its position on the national stage for advanced tech and life sciences innovation.

Why It Matters

Saving lives: From early cancer detection and more innovative immune therapies to healing damaged tissues and managing chronic diseases, the research that will be conducted at Science Square tackles health issues millions face.
Fueling a tech hub: By combining research powerhouses like Georgia Tech and Emory with next-gen laboratory facilities, Atlanta is building the brainpower and resources to compete with national tech centers.
Economic growth: Science Square is helping attract top researchers, startups, and funding — bringing jobs, investment, and opportunities to Georgia. Most recently, Duracell announced they are moving their research and development headquarters to Science Square.

Research for Real Life

The new labs at Science Square will support teams tackling life-changing challenges:

Gabe Kwong, Robert A. Milton Chair, College of Engineering, is developing a two-step cancer defense: tagging tumor cells with a synthetic “flag,” then supercharging T cells (the body’s infection-fighting white blood cells) to track down and destroy them. Early lab tests show the technique works against breast, brain, and colon cancers — and prevents regrowth.
Tara Deans and her team are teaching cells new jobs — when to grow, which type of cell to become, or how to release medicine. Their goal is to design smart cells that can sense what’s happening in the body and act as “living therapies,” delivering treatment exactly where, when, and at the level needed.
Alex Vlahos is developing ways to reprogram cells to understand and treat diseases. His team makes new protein tools that help cells sense their environment, communicate with each other, and respond to problems — repairing tissues, fighting cancer, or calming an overactive immune system.
Ed Botchwey co-directs the Regenerative Engineering and Medicine Center, a collaboration between Georgia Tech, Emory University, and the University of Georgia. His team develops advanced biomaterials that work with the body’s immune system, combined with specialized methods, to produce therapeutic cells and their beneficial byproducts. They focus on innovative regenerative treatments for conditions like sickle-cell disease complications, severe muscle injuries, and injuries affecting the mouth, face, and skull.
John Blazeck designs new ways to help the immune system fight disease. His team engineers cells and proteins to better target cancer, improve immune therapies, and develop next-generation treatments.
Corey Wilson, Love Family Professorship, College of Engineering, is building custom-made biological systems from scratch. By mixing protein engineering with genetic tinkering, his team is creating powerful new tools for science and medicine that help us understand how proteins and genes work.
Alyssa Panitch, professor and chair in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, designs innovative materials that help tissues heal better and scar less — whether skin, blood vessels, or even joints. Her team’s biomaterials promote healing on both the inside and outside of cells, guiding the body’s natural repair process.

More About Science Square Labs

Science Square Labs, which opened in 2024, offers more than 368,000 square feet of premium lab and innovation space across 13 floors. Strategically located across from Georgia Tech’s North Avenue Research Area, the building is designed to bring together academic institutions, startups, and industry leaders.

As part of the continued expansion, Georgia Tech announces a major new lease at Science Square. Jon Mayeske of Cushman and Wakefield represented Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures, an affiliate organization of Georgia Tech, which signed a 10-year lease beginning February 15, 2026, for a 36,364 square-foot space on the sixth floor of Science Square Labs. This cutting-edge life sciences facility includes modern lab spaces, offices, and amenity areas designed to foster collaboration among researchers.

Trammell Crow is the master developer of the Science Square District, programmed for over 2.1 million square feet of labs, offices, and residential and retail spaces in multiple phases.

Summary sentence

Georgia Tech and Emory University are advancing Atlanta’s position as a top U.S. tech hub by relocating seven pioneering biomedical research labs to Science Square, a premier life sciences district driving innovation, talent, and economic growth.

Summary

Georgia Tech and Emory University are accelerating Atlanta’s emergence as a national leader in life sciences and technology by relocating seven advanced biomedical research labs to Science Square, a state-of-the-art innovation district.

Dateline

Wed, 06/18/2025 - 12:00

media@gatech.edu

Contact

Siobhan Rodriguez
Senior Media Relations Representative
Institute Communications

Keywords

Georgia Institute of Technology

Emory University

Science Square Labs

Atlanta tech hub

Life sciences innovation

biomedical research

Medical breakthroughs

research and development

Advanced laboratory facilities

Georgia Tech Research

Top 5 technology hub

Southeast life sciences district

Research awards growth

Immune therapies

Cancer detection research

Regenerative Medicine

Synthetic Biology

Smart cells

Protein engineering

Chronic disease management

Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures

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Startup incubation

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Lab space expansion

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682819

Source updated

Wed, 06/18/2025 - 15:38

Georgia Tech, Emory Expand Research at Science Square

admin — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 17:55:40 +0000

Georgia Tech, Emory Expand Research at Science Square admin Wed, 06/18/2025 - 13:55

ATLANTA, GA – June 2025 – Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University are taking medical and biomedical research to the next level by moving seven cutting-edge labs into Science Square, the Southeast’s premier life sciences district. This expansion is more than just growth in square footage; it marks a major push to establish Atlanta as a Top 5 technology hub in the U.S.

“Every new lab, every partnership, brings Atlanta one step closer to being one of the nation’s top tech hubs,” said Pat Wilson, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “This investment signals to the world that Georgia is serious about innovation. Strong research attracts talent and companies — and delivers breakthroughs that improve lives right here in our backyard.”

Why It Matters

Saving lives: From early cancer detection and more innovative immune therapies to healing damaged tissues and managing chronic diseases, the research that will be conducted at Science Square tackles health issues millions face.

Fueling a tech hub: By combining research powerhouses like Georgia Tech and Emory with next-gen laboratory facilities, Atlanta is building the brainpower and resources to compete with national tech centers.

Economic growth: Science Square is helping attract top researchers, startups, and funding — bringing jobs, investment, and opportunities to Georgia. Most recently, Duracell announced they are moving their research and development headquarters to Science Square.

Research for Real Life

The new labs at Science Square will support teams tackling life-changing challenges:

Gabe Kwong, Robert A. Milton Chair, College of Engineering, is developing a two-step cancer defense: tagging tumor cells with a synthetic “flag,” then supercharging T cells (the body’s infection-fighting white blood cells) to track down and destroy them. Early lab tests show the technique works against breast, brain, and colon cancers — and prevents regrowth.

Tara Deans and her team are teaching cells new jobs — when to grow, which type of cell to become, or how to release medicine. Their goal is to design smart cells that can sense what’s happening in the body and act as “living therapies,” delivering treatment exactly where, when, and at the level needed.

Alex Vlahos is developing ways to reprogram cells to understand and treat diseases. His team makes new protein tools that help cells sense their environment, communicate with each other, and respond to problems — repairing tissues, fighting cancer, or calming an overactive immune system.

Ed Botchwey co-directs the Regenerative Engineering and Medicine Center, a collaboration between Georgia Tech, Emory University, and the University of Georgia. His team develops advanced biomaterials that work with the body’s immune system, combined with specialized methods, to produce therapeutic cells and their beneficial byproducts. They focus on innovative regenerative treatments for conditions like sickle-cell disease complications, severe muscle injuries, and injuries affecting the mouth, face, and skull.

John Blazeck designs new ways to help the immune system fight disease. His team engineers cells and proteins to better target cancer, improve immune therapies, and develop next-generation treatments.

Corey Wilson, Love Family Professorship, College of Engineering, is building custom-made biological systems from scratch. By mixing protein engineering with genetic tinkering, his team is creating powerful new tools for science and medicine that help us understand how proteins and genes work.

Alyssa Panitch, Wallace H. Coulter Department Chair, College of Engineering, designs innovative materials that help tissues heal better and scar less — whether skin, blood vessels, or even joints. Her team’s biomaterials promote healing on both the inside and outside of cells, guiding the body’s natural repair process.

More About Science Square Labs

Trammell Crow is the master developer of the Science Square District, programmed for over 2.1 million square feet of labs, offices, and residential and retail spaces in multiple phases.

Summary sentence

Summary

Dateline

Wed, 06/18/2025 - 12:00

media@gatech.edu

Contact

Siobhan Rodriguez
Senior Media Relations Representative
Institute Communications

Keywords

Georgia Institute of Technology

Science Square Labs

Atlanta tech hub

Life sciences innovation

biomedical research

Medical breakthroughs

research and development

Advanced laboratory facilities

Georgia Tech Research

Top 5 technology hub

Southeast life sciences district

Research awards growth

Immune therapies

Cancer detection research

Regenerative Medicine

Synthetic Biology

Smart cells

Protein engineering

Chronic disease management

research commercialization

Lab space expansion

News room topics

Business and Economic Development

Campus and Community

Health and Medicine

Science and Technology

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Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics

City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth

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Life Sciences and Biology

Mercury ID

682818

Source updated

Wed, 06/18/2025 - 13:54

Georgia Tech, Emory Expand Research at Science Square

admin — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 17:34:41 +0000

Georgia Tech, Emory Expand Research at Science Square admin Wed, 06/18/2025 - 13:34

Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University are taking medical and biomedical research to the next level by moving seven cutting-edge labs into Science Square, the Southeast’s premier life sciences district. This expansion is more than just growth in square footage; it marks a major push to establish Atlanta as a Top 5 technology hub in the U.S.

Why It Matters

Saving lives: From early cancer detection and more innovative immune therapies to healing damaged tissues and managing chronic diseases, the research that will be conducted at Science Square tackles health issues millions face.

Fueling a tech hub: By combining research powerhouses like Georgia Tech and Emory with next-gen laboratory facilities, Atlanta is building the brainpower and resources to compete with national tech centers.

Economic growth: Science Square is helping attract top researchers, startups, and funding — bringing jobs, investment, and opportunities to Georgia. Most recently, Duracell announced they are moving their research and development headquarters to Science Square.

Research for Real Life

The new labs at Science Square will support teams tackling life-changing challenges:

Gabe Kwong, Robert A. Milton Chair, College of Engineering, is developing a two-step cancer defense: tagging tumor cells with a synthetic “flag,” then supercharging T cells (the body’s infection-fighting white blood cells) to track down and destroy them. Early lab tests show the technique works against breast, brain, and colon cancers — and prevents regrowth.

Tara Deans and her team are teaching cells new jobs — when to grow, which type of cell to become, or how to release medicine. Their goal is to design smart cells that can sense what’s happening in the body and act as “living therapies,” delivering treatment exactly where, when, and at the level needed.

Alex Vlahos is developing ways to reprogram cells to understand and treat diseases. His team makes new protein tools that help cells sense their environment, communicate with each other, and respond to problems — repairing tissues, fighting cancer, or calming an overactive immune system.

Ed Botchwey co-directs the Regenerative Engineering and Medicine Center, a collaboration between Georgia Tech, Emory University, and the University of Georgia. His team develops advanced biomaterials that work with the body’s immune system, combined with specialized methods, to produce therapeutic cells and their beneficial byproducts. They focus on innovative regenerative treatments for conditions like sickle-cell disease complications, severe muscle injuries, and injuries affecting the mouth, face, and skull.

John Blazeck designs new ways to help the immune system fight disease. His team engineers cells and proteins to better target cancer, improve immune therapies, and develop next-generation treatments.

Corey Wilson, Love Family Professorship, College of Engineering, is building custom-made biological systems from scratch. By mixing protein engineering with genetic tinkering, his team is creating powerful new tools for science and medicine that help us understand how proteins and genes work.

Alyssa Panitch, Wallace H. Coulter Department Chair, College of Engineering, designs innovative materials that help tissues heal better and scar less — whether skin, blood vessels, or even joints. Her team’s biomaterials promote healing on both the inside and outside of cells, guiding the body’s natural repair process.

More About Science Square Labs

Trammell Crow is the master developer of the Science Square District, programmed for over 2.1 million square feet of labs, offices, and residential and retail spaces in multiple phases.

Summary sentence

Summary

Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University are taking medical and biomedical research to the next level by moving seven cutting-edge labs into Science Square, the Southeast’s premier life sciences district. This expansion is more than just growth in square footage; it marks a major push to establish Atlanta as a Top 5 technology hub in the U.S.

Dateline

Tue, 06/17/2025 - 12:00

media@gatech.edu

Contact

Siobhan Rodriguez
Senior Media Relations Representative
Institute Communications

Keywords

Georgia Institute of Technology

Emory University

Science Square Labs

Atlanta tech hub

Life sciences innovation

biomedical research

Medical breakthroughs

research and development

Advanced laboratory facilities

Georgia Tech Research

Top 5 technology hub

Southeast life sciences district

Research awards growth

Immune therapies

Cancer detection research

Regenerative Medicine

Synthetic Biology

Smart cells

Protein engineering

Chronic disease management

Ángel Cabrera

Pat Wilson

Gabe Kwong

Tara Deans

Alex Vlahos

Ed Botchwey

John Blazeck

Corey Wilson

Alyssa Panitch

Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures

Economic development Georgia

Tech talent attraction

innovation ecosystem

Startup incubation

public-private partnerships

Cushman and Wakefield

Trammell Crow

Duracell R&D headquarters

research commercialization

Lab space expansion

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Health and Medicine

Science and Technology

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City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth

Institute and Campus

Mercury ID

682817

Source updated

Wed, 06/18/2025 - 13:33

The Hidden Costs of Trade Wars: Expert Analysis on Economic Shifts

admin — Wed, 28 May 2025 20:05:41 +0000

The Hidden Costs of Trade Wars: Expert Analysis on Economic Shifts admin Wed, 05/28/2025 - 16:05

From grocery bills to gas prices and the cost of new cars, Americans are feeling the ripple effects of an increasingly uncertain global economy. According to Georgia Tech experts, while headlines often focus on trade wars or interest rates, the underlying forces at play — and their long-term consequences — are more complex.

Recession Risks and the Current Economic Climate

Alex Hsu, a finance professor in the Scheller College of Business, suggests we may already be in a mild recession, even if it’s not yet officially declared.

“Recession declarations are always made after the fact,” he explains. “A real-time clue? Look at crude oil prices — they’re down 15% this year, often signaling slowing economic activity.” That’s similar to the trend seen in the early months of the 2008 recession, when oil prices dropped sharply as demand weakened. Despite this, the labor market remains strong in certain sectors, creating a mixed economic picture that’s tough to navigate.

“If you’re trying to get a sense of where the economy is going,” Hsu adds, “watch weekly jobless claims and energy prices — those are among the most timely indicators available.”

How Tariffs Are (and Aren’t) Affecting Prices

Tibor Besedeš, a professor in the School of Economics, likens tariffs to sales taxes — costs added at the border that can eventually be passed to consumers.

“If a $20,000 imported car is hit with a 25% tariff, someone’s paying that $5,000,” he says. Besedeš warns that most tariffs imposed since early 2025 affect nearly all imported goods — cars, electronics, toys, and clothing. He cites past studies showing tariffs on Chinese goods were largely paid by U.S. consumers, and this time may be no different. “China has told its firms not to lower prices. So, we should expect prices here to rise.”

However, the recent agreement that began on May 14 between the U.S. and China on a new trade deal has offered a moment of relief. As part of the agreement, both countries will temporarily ease tariffs announced in April for 90 days, with China suspending its planned 34% tariff on U.S. goods, while maintaining a 10% tariff during the pause. Similarly, the United States will suspend its 34% reciprocal tariff while keeping a 10% tariff in place.

“It’s a welcome sign that hopefully trade tensions are subsiding and that after 90 days there will be a more permanent deal whereby the tariffs at least do not increase from these reduced levels,” Besedeš says. “It’s difficult to say anything more concrete but, overall, I take this as a positive sign that we may be stepping back from the brink of an all-out trade war and empty shelves in stores.”

Yet even with signs of progress, uncertainty lingers. Hsu, while cautiously optimistic, adds that “The 90-day pause only prolongs the trade instability. Although it is a good sign that the administration seems willing to negotiate, businesses are still in a holding pattern until a more definitive resolution is reached.”

The Bigger Picture: Global Alliances and Economic Protectionism

As countries reorient their trade relations in response to shifting U.S. policies, Besedeš warns that the long-term consequences could leave the U.S. isolated on the global stage.

“Countries are starting to look for alternative trading partners," he says. “If the U.S. is not careful, it could lose its influence in global trade, leading to slower economic growth.” He suggests that the growing shift toward regional trade blocs and alternative alliances — such as the EU-China partnership — could erode U.S. competitiveness.

Hsu concurs, noting that global economic shifts, coupled with increasing tariffs, could exacerbate the risks of a financial crisis. “Pay attention to the credit market,” he advises. “When liquidity dries up, it can cause the financial system to freeze, leading to contagion.” He notes that the Federal Reserve is closely monitoring these risks and still has a range of policy tools at its disposal to help stabilize the system in the event of a crisis.

The Road Ahead

As Americans navigate rising prices and economic uncertainty, these experts suggest focusing on fundamentals — energy prices, jobless claims, and the broader flow of trade and investment. Whether tariffs prove to be a temporary disruption or a lasting shift in global commerce, the trade policies of today are shaping the economic realities of tomorrow. And while the recent U.S.-China agreement marks a hopeful step, the full extent of its impact on consumers, businesses, and global relationships remains to be seen.

Summary sentence

Georgia Tech experts unpack the hidden economic signals driving today’s prices, trade tensions, and global uncertainty.

Summary

As Americans face rising prices at the pump, grocery store, and car dealership, Georgia Tech experts say the signals behind today’s economic uncertainty go deeper than headlines suggest. Finance professor Alex Hsu points to falling crude oil prices and weekly jobless claims as timely indicators that may show the U.S. is already in a mild recession — even if it hasn't been officially declared. Meanwhile, economist Tibor Besedeš explains how recent tariffs function like hidden taxes, raising consumer costs and risking long-term damage to U.S. global trade influence. A temporary U.S.-China trade truce offers short-term relief, but both experts warn that lasting instability and shifting global alliances could reshape the economy for years to come.

Dateline

Wed, 05/28/2025 - 12:00

Contact

Ayana Isles
Senior Media Relations Representative
Institute Communications

media@gatech.edu

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Wed, 05/28/2025 - 16:05

Georgia Tech Relaunches The Biltmore as Strategic Hub for Entrepreneurship in Tech Square

admin — Wed, 28 May 2025 14:14:41 +0000

Georgia Tech Relaunches The Biltmore as Strategic Hub for Entrepreneurship in Tech Square admin Wed, 05/28/2025 - 10:14

Georgia Tech is reimagining The Biltmore as the latest engine of innovation in Tech Square, launching a bold new chapter for one of Atlanta’s most historic landmarks. As part of an ambitious effort to make Atlanta a top-five U.S. tech hub, Georgia Tech is transforming The Biltmore into a vibrant center for launching, scaling, and accelerating startups in the heart of Midtown.

“This is more than a building — it’s a launchpad for Atlanta’s future,” said Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera. “At The Biltmore, we’re not just reinvigorating a landmark, we are creating space for more startups, more opportunity, and more innovation that moves Atlanta forward.”

Built in 1924 and marking its centennial last year, The Biltmore has long stood as a symbol of Atlanta’s growth, once serving as a central point for the city’s business and social life. Now, it begins its next century as a future-looking hub for entrepreneurship, where founders, researchers, investors, and industry leaders can collaborate to launch world-changing ventures.

“As home to the South’s first radio station, this over 100-year-old lasting Atlanta landmark has its own tech history,” said Commissioner Pat Wilson from the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “It’s fitting that our Tech Square neighbor will now play a role as a springboard to the innovative companies and ideas that will take us into the future.”

Tech Square: A National Innovation District

Previously acquired by the Georgia Tech Foundation, The Biltmore sits in the heart of Tech Square, a 2.5-million-square-foot innovation district that is home to:

More than 35 corporate innovation centers — including R&D labs, innovation hubs, regional tech headquarters, and corporate labs, making Tech Square one of the densest concentrations of corporate innovation activity in the country.

More than 30 Georgia Tech labs and programs, including the Advanced Technology Development Center and Venture Lab.

Two new towers that will open in 2026, expanding space for Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business and the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering.

The award-winning Coda building, which integrates high-performance computing, research, and startups under one roof.

“Atlanta is becoming the startup capital of the South, and this next chapter for The Biltmore strengthens our momentum,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “We are bringing together the people, places, and resources to accelerate Atlanta’s growth as a world-class tech and innovation ecosystem.”

The Biltmore @ Tech Square: What's Inside

The revitalized Biltmore will house over 100,000 square feet of key pillars of Georgia Tech’s innovation ecosystem:

CREATE-X Headquarters – Georgia Tech’s flagship student startup accelerator boasting more than 600 startups already launched, a combined valuation exceeding $2.4 billion, and plans to launch 1,000 startups annually.

Quadrant-i – Turning Georgia Tech research into real-world startups by supporting inventors with guidance on finding customers, building teams, and bringing ideas to market.

Office of Technology Licensing – Helping companies around the world commercialize revolutionary research developed at Georgia Tech and accelerating the global impact of Georgia Tech innovations through strategic technology transfer.

VentureLab – Offering comprehensive entrepreneurial and commercialization training. VentureLab is home of the Southeast hub for the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps).

Startup Scaling Platform – Providing space, mentorship, programming, and funding to help scale early-stage startups from their first customer to their first 100 customers.

Corporate Engagement Office – Bringing startups and strategic industry partners together.

Venture Investment Hub – Hosting local and national venture capital firms alongside Georgia Tech and scores of locally founded startups.

Additional Strategic Partners – Supporting organizations and corporate innovations centers.

Together, these assets position Tech Square — and now, Atlanta — as one of the most nationally competitive ecosystems for entrepreneurship, research commercialization, and venture acceleration.

“We’re honored to have been engaged by the Foundation to help bring Georgia Tech’s vision to life,” said David Tyndall, an original co-developer of Tech Square and CEO of Collaborative Real Estate, which will oversee The Biltmore’s redevelopment. “The Biltmore is the centerpiece of Tech Square, and now it will become an international crown jewel of innovation. This will be a place where founders build, investors engage, and the future takes shape.”

Experience Tech Square in Action

Get a firsthand look at Tech Square during ATL Tech Week and the Tech Square Tech Hop on June 11, with an afternoon of startup showcases, networking, and cutting-edge technology on display.
Learn more at atl.tech and lu.ma/yxkiso65.

Summary sentence

Georgia Tech is transforming the iconic Biltmore into a dynamic hub of innovation in Tech Square, marking an exciting new chapter for one of Atlanta’s most historic landmarks.

Summary

As part of an ambitious effort to make Atlanta a top-five U.S. tech hub, Georgia Tech is transforming The Biltmore into a vibrant center for launching, scaling, and accelerating startups in the heart of Midtown.

Dateline

Wed, 05/28/2025 - 12:00

media@gatech.edu

Contact

Georgia Tech Media Relations

Associated importer

News room topics

Business and Economic Development

Categories

Building Construction

City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth

Economic Development and Policy

Institute and Campus

Mercury ID

682560

Source updated

Wed, 05/28/2025 - 10:14

Tech Visionary Chris Klaus Empowers Georgia Tech Grads to Launch Startups

admin — Fri, 02 May 2025 13:35:41 +0000

Tech Visionary Chris Klaus Empowers Georgia Tech Grads to Launch Startups admin Fri, 05/02/2025 - 09:35

In a bold move to ignite Atlanta's entrepreneurial spirit, renowned tech entrepreneur and Georgia Tech alumnus Christopher W. Klaus announced during his Georgia Tech Commencement address on Friday, May 2 that he will personally cover the incorporation costs for any graduating student aspiring to launch a startup. "This is about more than just covering fees — it’s about lighting a spark,” said Klaus. “Every founder needs someone to believe in them early. Through this gift, we’re offering that belief and giving graduates the chance to start building with purpose and confidence.” Klaus is a driving force in Atlanta’s tech and startup community. While still a student at Georgia Tech, he founded Internet Security Systems, which went public and was later acquired by IBM for nearly $2 billion. Today, he leads Fusen, a startup accelerator that connects students with founders, mentors, investors, and early-stage funding to launch new ventures. In 2000, Klaus donated $15 million to help create Georgia Tech’s Christopher W. Klaus Advanced Computing Building, an innovation hub at the Institute. He also co-founded CREATE-X, Tech’s flagship entrepreneurship program, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024 and has launched over 500 student startups. “We invited Chris Klaus to speak at Commencement because he embodies the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that has defined Georgia Tech for 140 years,” said President Ángel Cabrera, who will also bestow an honorary Ph.D. on Klaus during the ceremony. “Through his groundbreaking work, his message, and now his generous gift to this semester’s graduates, Chris continues to inspire a new generation to lead with imagination and creativity.” Klaus' commitment complements Atlanta's broader efforts to foster a robust tech ecosystem and aligns with Mayor Andre Dickens' ambitious goal of positioning Atlanta as a top five U.S. tech hub. Achieving this status necessitates the creation of approximately 2,000 startups annually by 2027 to attract significant venture capital, generate employment, and solidify the city's standing as a premier innovation center. "Chris Klaus' generosity and vision will help further Atlanta's position as one of the country’s leading tech hubs," said Mayor Dickens. "His support for emerging entrepreneurs exemplifies our city’s group project and what is needed to equip the next generation of job creators for success."

Summary sentence

Summary

Christopher W. Klaus, a renowned tech entrepreneur and Georgia Tech alumnus, announced during his Commencement address that he will personally cover the incorporation costs for any graduating student aspiring to launch a startup, aiming to ignite Atlanta's entrepreneurial spirit. His commitment complements Atlanta's broader efforts to foster a robust tech ecosystem and aligns with Mayor Andre Dickens' goal of positioning Atlanta as a top five U.S. tech hub.

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Fri, 05/02/2025 - 12:00

media@gatech.edu

Contact

Georgia Tech Media Relations

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Christopher W. Klaus

Georgia Tech

Commencement address

incorporation costs

graduating student

startup

entrepreneurial spirit

Internet Security Systems

Fusen

Christopher W. Klaus Advanced Computing Building

CREATE-X

Atlanta tech ecosystem

Mayor Andre Dickens

top U.S. tech hub

yellow jackets

ramblin' wreck

Tech Square

innovation hub

Georgia Tech Research Institute

GTRI

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682185

Source updated

Fri, 05/02/2025 - 09:34

Propelling Georgia Tech to the Final Frontier

admin — Fri, 02 May 2025 12:19:41 +0000

Propelling Georgia Tech to the Final Frontier admin Fri, 05/02/2025 - 08:19

Early on, Georgia Tech graduate students William Trenton Gantt and Hugh (Ka Yui) Chen imagined working in the space industry.

“When I was 14, I dreamed about being in space one day,” recalls Chen, 22, a native of Hong Kong and a Ph.D. student in aerospace engineering. “I think the industry has been making space more accessible to everyone. Commercialization is a big part of enabling this.”

Gantt, an engineer and former U.S. Army veteran graduating with an MBA from the Scheller College of Business this spring, remembered seeing the space shuttle retire and companies begin privatizing space as he entered young adulthood.

“I’ve always been interested in space, and a lot of it comes from the challenge of going to space,” he observes. “Seeing how hard it is to get to space and seeing it become achievable — that to me was the most attractive thing about it.”

For Gantt, the feeling always brings to mind John F. Kennedy’s famous line that spelled out America’s space ambitions: “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”

Recognizing Georgia Tech’s aerospace strengths, Gantt didn’t waste time building bridges within Scheller and in other parts of Georgia Tech. He founded the Scheller MBA Space Club, a first at the College, to track the industry as it grows and develops.

“I came from a military background, so I had my eye on the defense industry going into the MBA program. Georgia Tech, being the No. 2 aerospace engineering undergraduate school in the nation, I knew they already had strong industry connections. Making connections was a big goal coming into this program.”

Assessing Early-Stage Space Tech

He took part in the Entrepreneurship Assistants Program (EAP), which pairs a Scheller MBA student with a faculty or student inventor to evaluate early-stage technology for potential commercialization. He evaluated two space-related technologies, one with Chen’s support.

“The EAs conduct technology commercialization assessments and develop a business model canvas. By applying an entrepreneurial strategy compass, they predict potential go-to-market strategies for new technology,” says Paul Joseph, principal in the Office of Commercialization’s Quadrant-i unit, who created the EAP.

(See sidebar to read more about the EAP and the specific technologies assessed.)

Tapping Into a Nearly $2T Industry

According to McKinsey & Co., the space technology market, fueled by advancements in satellite technology, commercial space travel, and 5G networks, is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035.

“We're seeing an industry shifting from a multibillion-dollar market cap to a multitrillion-dollar market cap in less than a decade. If you look at this from a business perspective, this is a massive addressable market for entrepreneurs," says Gantt.

From its Center for Space Technology and Research to the new Center for Space Policy and International Relations and labs like the Space Systems Design Lab, which focuses on areas such as CubeSat propulsion, lunar research, and hypersonic flight, Georgia Tech excels in space research across disciplines. In July, Georgia Tech will launch the Space Research Institute (SRI), one of its newest Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (IRI), to foster additional collaboration in this growing field.

“At Georgia Tech, there are competencies across every single College that will help to augment our understanding of space,” says Alex Oettl, professor of strategy and innovation in Scheller College, whose interest in the new space economy spans the last 20 years. “When you look at the technologies coming from Georgia Tech, they can impact this future trillion-dollar industry.”

An economist by training, Oettl led Georgia Tech’s involvement in the Creative Destruction Lab-Atlanta, a multi-university program that helped commercialize early-stage scientific technologies.

Leveraging Affordable Launch

The emergence of affordable launch, spurred by SpaceX’s introduction of the Falcon 9 rocket using reusable rocket technology, has made space much more accessible, from biomedical companies to academic institutions.

“Because there has been a drop in the cost of accessing space, it allows experimentation to flourish,” says Oettl.

He recalls Mark Costello, former chair of the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, explaining how he could launch a CubeSat into Low Earth Orbit out of his research budget, whereas before it would have been cost-prohibitive.

Today, Georgia Tech students and researchers are poised to capitalize on the new space economy stack — from new launch capabilities to new development in propellants and in-space operations and maintenance to more powerful sensors on Earth-observation satellites.

“I’ve seen firsthand the traction occurring on the commercial side. There are a lot of social scientists waking up to the opportunity that exists and thinking about business dynamics that will emerge as a result of this great opportunity,” he says.

Georgia Tech, an interdisciplinary, tech-focused university, brings significant capabilities across its Colleges to drive new and emerging technologies that have implications for space.

“Space hits on all the strengths that exist at the various Colleges,” Oettl explains. “Faculty at Georgia Tech are pushing the boundary and showing our students innovations that will emerge in the space economy that are not immediately obvious — such as in adjacent industries.”

Oettl calls these first-order and spillover impacts of new technology. By first-order impacts, he means businesses can take advantage of these opportunities and create new products on top of the original innovation. By spillovers, he cites as an example an Earth-observation satellite enabling other industries to take advantage of data from the ground. For instance, insurance companies are one of the largest users of space technology by way of satellite imagery.

Bringing Capabilities Together Through New Space IRI

The SRI will bring together the best in engineering, computer science, policy, and business research across Georgia Tech. Along the way, it could help engineers and computer scientists think with a more business-minded approach to pitch their innovations to the commercial space sector.

“You don’t see a lot of engineers having that inherent ability,” notes Gantt. “The Space IRI can shine by fostering collaboration between business students and engineers, enabling them to develop innovative go-to-market strategies and clearly define the unique value propositions these technologies offer to end users. You can bring these people together and create some forward momentum in the space industry.”

Summary sentence

New space IRI and commercialization activities showcase space as an exciting destination for students and faculty.

Summary

New space IRI and commercialization activities showcase space as an exciting destination for students and faculty.

Dateline

Thu, 05/01/2025 - 12:00

Contact

News Contact: Laurie Haigh

Writer: Anne Wainscott-Sargent

Sidebar

Accelerating the Commercialization of Space Innovations

Gantt and Chen’s mutual passion for space came together through their participation in Georgia Tech’s Entrepreneurship Assistants Program (EAP). The program pairs a Scheller MBA student with a student or faculty researcher behind an invention to assess its market potential.

Gantt assessed the commercialization potential for two space-related technologies: an in-flight drone charging system offering both in-air and on-ground charging capabilities in a global drone technology market projected to reach $61.2 billion by the end of 2029. Each analysis took three to four months.

Gantt says the charging system for drones would provide real-time in-air refueling similar to what is done today on C-17 tankers.

“The drone market is very heavily regulated by the FAA, and the commercial aspects of drone usage are still in prototype development, says Gantt, who recommended that Georgia Tech license the technology rather than develop it through a startup.

The second project involved a CubeSat co-gas propellant system for spacecraft.

“With in-orbit propulsion systems, you want to make sure you’re maximizing the thrust. Our technology works with a two-phase propellant. Using a secondary tank allows us to maximize efficiency while ensuring only gas is expelled,” explains Chen, who was a researcher on the project.

To determine the device’s market appeal, Gantt conducted customer discovery interviews with smallsat manufacturers and a radar detection company.

“CubeSat customers are using hybrid propulsion systems, both gas and electric, to maximize the lifespan of their CubeSat assets and create as much value from them as possible,” says Gantt, noting that it’s much more attractive to take on less equipment. “Having a reduction in mass and complexity while delivering the same capabilities as cold-gas propulsion systems like this technology is attempting to do is something that's a big market need right now.”

Gantt’s market analysis led to a recommendation to license the technology rather than manufacture it. Chen and Gantt consulted with a U.S. Space Force CubeSat Acquisitions Officer about how to shape and structure technology proposals.

Chen will continue to advance the technology in the Low Gravity Science and Technology Lab, led by Álvaro Romero-Calvo, assistant professor in the Guggenheim School. The goal is for the technology to reach a Technology Readiness Level 8 or 9 so they can submit a proposal to integrate their cold-gas thrusters as a subsystem for a future Space Force mission.

“New missions now use swarm architectures or formation flying. This technology could potentially infer what it’s like to do in-orbit refueling,” says Chen on the system’s long-term value.

Both Gantt and Chen see immense value in the EAP to fuel their interest in space-based technologies and what’s driving the space industry.

“It opens your eyes to the industry as a whole,” says Gantt.

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Fri, 05/02/2025 - 08:17

Business and Economic Development

From Isekai to IT: How an Esports Startup Builds the Workforce

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Scientists Pinpoint Hazards for Engineered Stone Fabrication Shop Workers

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Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership at Georgia Tech Celebrates 65 Years of Service

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Georgia Tech, Emory Expand Research at Science Square

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Georgia Tech, Emory Expand Research at Science Square

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Georgia Tech, Emory Expand Research at Science Square

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The Hidden Costs of Trade Wars: Expert Analysis on Economic Shifts

Recession Risks and the Current Economic Climate

How Tariffs Are (and Aren’t) Affecting Prices

The Bigger Picture: Global Alliances and Economic Protectionism

The Road Ahead

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News room topics

Georgia Tech Relaunches The Biltmore as Strategic Hub for Entrepreneurship in Tech Square

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Tech Visionary Chris Klaus Empowers Georgia Tech Grads to Launch Startups

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Propelling Georgia Tech to the Final Frontier

Assessing Early-Stage Space Tech

Tapping Into a Nearly $2T Industry

Leveraging Affordable Launch

Bringing Capabilities Together Through New Space IRI

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