Lt. Gov. Applauds Launch of Bioscience Commercialization Center

/PRNewswire/ -- Lt. Governor Casey Cagle today (June 14) joined Georgia Bio, the Georgia Research Alliance, the Metro Atlanta Chamber and the Innovation Crescent business community in announcing the launch of the Georgia Bioscience Commercialization Center (GBCC), which will act as a start-up catalyst and resource center for bioscience entrepreneurs in Georgia.

"The Georgia Bioscience Commercialization Center is a first of its kind initiative in Georgia, drawing on the expertise of proven CEOs and senior executives to assist entrepreneurs in growing their potential business and producing jobs," Lt. Gov. Cagle said. "It will serve as an engine for economic growth supporting development of high-paying, 21st century jobs that will stay in Georgia and enhance our state's leadership in bioscience. This innovative mentoring program, as well as the tax credit for investing in early stage entrepreneurial endeavors we just passed this session, means entrepreneurs have a real chance for success in Georgia."

Seed funding for the GBCC was provided by Georgia Bio (GaBio) and the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA). The GBCC will be headquartered in the GaBio offices at 1180 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 4150, Atlanta, Ga, 30308.

UCB, Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company based in Brussels with U.S. headquarters in Smyrna, served as backdrop for the GBCC launch. UCB President Greg Duncan, a member of the GaBio Board of Directors, said, "The GBCC will help Georgia build that critical mass of companies that is essential in sustaining industry growth and making Georgia an attractive destination for international companies such as UCB."

Laurence Downey, M.D., former President and CEO of Solvay Pharmaceuticals, and Robert Derricotte, President of Medical Marketing Insights LLC, led development of the GBCC and will serve as the primary contacts for the commercialization center.

Dr. Downey, a member of the GaBio Board, said, "The key element of the center's operation is the faculty of experienced bioscience executives who will offer guidance to start-up firms, free-of-charge. These experts are volunteering their time to advance the growth of Georgia's bioscience industry by assisting start-up companies that want to locate in Georgia and by helping scientists at our universities translate their discoveries into new bioscience products. The GBCC is a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs."

The GBCC website (www.GeorgiaBCC.com) also will contain useful "how-to" information, plus links to service providers, event notices, technology transfer opportunities and other resources.

Bryan White, Chairman and Co-founder of apothe-Linx, Inc., is one of the first entrepreneurs to engage the GBCC faculty. "I would not have been able to get my company off the ground without the help of the GBCC experts," White said. "I was amazed at the breadth of the faculty's experience. The GBCC fills an immediate need in Georgia to help entrepreneurs deal with the complexities of starting a company and of advancing their product development."

In addition to GaBio and GRA, other GBCC partners are the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber and other members of the Innovation Crescent Regional Partnership, which includes the Athens-Clarke County Economic Development Foundation; Atlanta Development Authority; Barrow County Chamber of Commerce; Cobb County Office of Economic Development; DeKalb Private Hospital Authority; Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce; Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce; and the Oconee County Development Authority.

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Allan Vigil Ford to Host Clayton State SBDC Entrepreneur Success Series

What better venue is there for the next installment of Clayton State University’s Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) popular Entrepreneur Success Series (ESS) than one of the Southern Crescent’s most notable business establishments?

SBDC Director Kyle Hensel has announced that the next seven-week ESS, running from Aug. 11 through Sept. 22, will beheld in the Conference Room of Allan Vigil Ford, 6790 Mt. Zion Blvd., Morrow, Ga. Each of the seven Tuesday night sessions will run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Planning and knowledge provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace, and this popular series of programs has helped launch hundreds of businesses,” says Hensel. “The seven-part ESS series includes valuable recommendations, research ideas, and an overview of the important areas of business operation from a practical perspective. The ESS series focuses on the needs of aspiring entrepreneurs and owners of new businesses.

Classes may be taken separately for $69 each, or individuals may take the complete series for the discounted price of $349. A certificate of completion is awarded after attending all seven classes. Contact the SDBC office at (678) 466-5100 for more details, or to register.

The class schedule is as follows…

Aug. 11 -- Starting a Business

If you are considering starting a small business, this workshop is a crucial first step. Topics for discussion include: traits of successful entrepreneurs, market research, legal structures for your business, estimating start-up costs & cash flow projection, financing alternatives, failure factors, and business planning. A detailed business start-up workbook and other handouts are provided.

Aug. 18 -- Small Business Legal Issues

This class presents information regarding the different legal structures, advantages and disadvantages of each structure, formation and ongoing requirements, liability issues and tax implications, and other statutory requirements including licensing, trade name registration, service marks and trademarks.

Aug. 25 -- Setting Up Business Records

Launching a business requires the setup of records and systems in the areas of accounting, personnel and organizational documents. Participants receive templates and guidelines that list various accounting tasks and essential policies to safeguard business assets, as well as checklists to insure that personnel and company files include regulatory documents.

Sept. 1 -- Marketing Your Small Business

Successful, high-impact marketing relies less on money and more on knowing how to use time, energy and imagination. This seminar tells what’s hot, how to position yourself in the marketplace and write an effective marketing plan, what gets customers in the door, how to make the sale, and keep them coming back – without spending a small fortune!

Sept. 8 -- Writing an Effective Business Plan

A business plan helps you start, manage and build your business. The course covers the general business plan format and the information required for each section.

Sept. 15 -- Tax Tips for the Small Business

All aspects of federal/state taxes will be covered in this class, including registration requirements for each legal form of business, tax obligations for employees and independent contractors, computation of employee payroll taxes and filing periodic returns and issues relating to specific deductible business expenses such as entertainment, the use of a personal automobile and the home.

Sept. 22 -- Financing the Business

See step-by-step how to finance a start-up or growing business and how to prepare a winning package for any type of financial assistance. Topics include different financing options such as bank loans, SBA guaranteed loans, non-bank lenders, private investors, and myths and realities of grant funding.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.
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