About
CollabTech History and Mission
History
Formed in 2001, the Collaborative Technology Program ("CollabTech"), working together with the Technology Development Center of the College of Arts & Sciences' Center for Biotechnology & Drug Design, has represented Georgia State University's commitment to economic development in the Atlanta region through the incubation of and collaboration with early-stage biotechnology companies.
To address specific needs of an industry partner, Dr. Ahmed Abdelal (former Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences), Dr. P.C. Tai (Chair, Department of Biology), and Dr. Al Baumstark (Chair, Department of Chemistry) championed the formation of CollabTech. The College of Arts & Sciences' Technology Development Center was already in place as a component of the Center for Biotechnology & Drug Design, was supported by the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA), and had overlapping missions with that envisioned for CollabTech, so a partnership developed. Thus, with additional support from the GRA and in laboratory space provided by the College of Arts & Sciences, CollabTech was established. At present, CollabTech successfully meets the needs of that initial resident and continues to provide its residents invaluable access to equipment, technical expertise, and other Georgia State University resources.
On March 25, 2003, the GRA submitted a report on the results of an assessment of CollabTech, prepared by Mr. Benjamin Hill, to Georgia State University (the "Report"). In addition to commending CollabTech on its success as a biotechnology incubator, the Report recommends specific policies, procedures and programs to ensure the development of CollabTech continues to provide a valuable service to its resident companies, to Georgia State University, and to the business community of the Atlanta region.
Five (5) entities currently occupy CollabTech's 18,000 square foot facility. On July 1, 2008, CollabTech completed renovation of the 1st floor at 58 Edgewood Ave for it's new facility. The state-of-the-art facility features 6,900 square feet of wet and dry lab space, 2,500 of office space, and 4,500 square feet of shared space, providing tenant access to lab equipment, a media room, and a conference room. There's approximately 5,000 square feet is available for expansion.
Mission
CollabTech was founded with three principal goals:
1) to provide space and facilities for biotechnology startup companies;
2) to foster collaboration between academic faculty and industrial scientists; and,
3) to develop training and other opportunities for graduate students to work for biotechnology companies.
CollabTech will continue to build upon and expand these original goals to ensure that it continues to be an important mechanism in supporting the growth of Georgia's emerging life science companies and to fulfill its mission to provide Atlanta-based, bioscience-oriented entrepreneurs access to state-of-the-art facilities, renowned Georgia State University researchers, and business expertise to accelerate the growth of their companies for the benefit of Georgia State University, the Atlanta region, and Georgia's bioscience industry. An important development in CollabTech's mission and growth is the planned construction of a Science Research Building and a Science Economic Development Center. When completed, the new buildings will provide significantly more space and facilities in support of CollabTech, well beyond that currently available. The time from now to the opening of the Economic Development Center will be one of transition in the mission and operation of CollabTech.