Some of the most promising startup companies sparked by University of Georgia research pitched their innovative ideas to a group of potential investors at the UGA Innovation District’s first Investors Day. 

Held at the Delta Innovation Hub on Jan. 22, the daylong event brought 15 tech investors or founders to campus to evaluate eight high-potential startups. Using a round-robin format, startup leaders rotated through three rooms of investors, delivering pitches designed to secure capital and strategic partnerships. 

“Our goal is to help the founders find investment, mentoring and access to networks,” said Chris Rhodes, executive director of the Innovation District. “At the very least, we will find out what the companies are missing, and we can help them improve future pitches.” 

Daniel Jackson, a research coordinator in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, pitched potential investors on Harvest Capture, a technology platform designed to allow farmers to visualize yield variability in their fields and to provide tailored recommendations for optimizing production practices. For example, the system can pinpoint areas of a field that need additional water or fertilizer. Founded just six months ago, the company is already attracting interest within the industry and plans to launch field-scale validation studies this spring. 

“It was helpful to be introduced to so many new people who are serious, professional investors,” Jackson said. “This was a great opportunity with experienced investors, and we could see something tangible come out of this event.” 

Other startups pitching at the event included: 

• AMG Detection — a medical device that senses oncoming epileptic seizures and alerts the individual, their selected contacts and emergency services 

• Annate — a novel antibody therapy for multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer 

• CIRT (Can I Recycle This) — a data and software platform that helps companies manage sustainable packaging and meet regulatory requirements  

• Ecoatex — turning renewable biomass into sustainable materials for textiles and other products 

• InfraredRx — clinical scanning devices for detection of peripheral artery disease 

• Neela — a neural cell production company for peripheral neuropathy research and therapeutics 

• Pool Protection Technology — a device that uses sound waves to prevent algae accumulation in swimming pools 

The investors at the event included local entrepreneurs and venture capitalists from large firms with deep industry experience. While most were from Athens or Atlanta — including many UGA alumni — others joined by Zoom from California, Colorado and North Carolina.  

The founders fielded questions about the target market for their product or service, competition in the marketplace, their team’s expertise and potential roadblocks to success.  

“With every single pitch, we’re getting better,” said Eric DeJesus, founder and CEO of Annate. “We want the feedback because it makes us more efficient with our presentation the next time we meet with an investor.” 

Connecting startups with potential investors is one of the ways the Innovation District works to foster entrepreneurship and the commercialization of ideas at UGA.  

“From teaching me the basics to helping me start my company as an LLC to connecting me with investors, the Innovation District has been a great partner,” said Ashley Galanti, founder and CEO of AMG Detection. Her company sprang from research she conducted as a student in UGA’s College of Engineering. 

Rhodes said the Innovation District will review feedback from the companies and the investors to fine-tune similar events in the future. Based on the number of startups in the pipeline at UGA, Rhodes said he could foresee two or three Investors Days a year on campus.