Georgia Research Alliance outlines research-to-startup model, highlights MapHabit's clinical and economic impact
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Summary
At a Small Business Development committee session, the Georgia Research Alliance described its 'seed-to-tree' strategy to turn university research into Georgia-based startups, citing $16 billion in reported direct impact and a MapHabit case study backed by about $11 million in NIH funding.
Tim Denning, representing the Georgia Research Alliance, told the Small Business Development committee the alliance’s role is to convert university discoveries into startups and jobs across sectors.
Denning described a ‘seed-to-tree’ approach that recruits top researchers as GRA eminent scholars, funds research infrastructure, and supports commercialization with milestone-driven translational grants and favorable loans. “And the rate of return is approximately 22 to 1, which is, pretty much better than you can get on anything in the market,” he said, summarizing GRA’s financial impact.
The presentation said GRA uses a 50/50 endowment match with universities to create an evergreen corpus that supports recruitment and research infrastructure. Denning emphasized the alliance does not take equity in startups, framing GRA’s role as economic and workforce development.
As evidence of outcomes, Denning cited cumulative metrics: “the total direct impact, generated by GRA over our history is now over $16,000,000,000,” and he noted nearly 80 academy scholars and substantial R&D expenditures tied to GRA-supported scientists.
The committee also heard a founder’s account. Matt Golden, founder of MapHabit, described a 2018 startup that sequences pictures and personalized prompts to help people with Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury and developmental conditions complete daily tasks independently. Golden said MapHabit has received a phase 2 grant from GRA and “we've earned, $11,000,000 of, NIH funding” that supported feasibility and larger trials.
Golden outlined how MapHabit reaches users through partnerships and reimbursement: case managers, area agencies on aging, hospital systems, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) and the Department of Aging Services. He said the product can be delivered via mobile app or printed, laminated sequencing for lower‑digital‑literacy users, and that Title III‑D funding is one reimbursement route.
During questions, committee members asked about demographic breakdowns and program reach. Denning said GRA tracks scholar data and can provide additional participation details on request. Golden said reimbursement setup typically takes three to four weeks and that while DBHDD serves about 14,000 people who might be eligible, MapHabit’s current DBHDD reach is far smaller — “about a 100.”
The session closed without formal votes; presenters offered to share follow-up data and to continue engagement with committee staff.
