The document summarizes the results of the GRA/TAG Business Launch Competition over multiple years. It reports that winners have collectively raised over $19 million in investments, hired 45 new full-time employees, added 32 new jobs in Georgia, and seen substantial revenue increases from 400% to tripling. The competition provides winners with over $200,000 in business services each year and has helped over 130 companies through mentorship. It is a partnership between the Technology Association of Georgia, Georgia Research Alliance, and Advanced Technology Development Center.

1. GRA/TAG Business Launch Competition
with Winner Results
Technology Association of Georgia
75 Fifth Street NW, Suite 625
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
June 2010

2. “Since Winning the GRA/TAG Business
Launch Competition, we’ve raised…”
• $2,000,000 for one Business Launch Competition winner
• Another previous competition winner has raised
$13,000,000 via Oak Investment Partners
• A more recent competition winner has raised over
$225,000 from friends and family, $250,000 from the NIH
SBIR, and is currently seeking a grant for $5,000,000 in
funding
• Strategic Investments were made in one previous winner
in the amount of $3,800,000
Total investments: Over $19,275,000 with an
additional $5,000,000 currently pending

3. “Since Winning the GRA/TAG Business
Launch Competition, we’ve hired…”
• One former winner has hired six full time
equivalent employees.
• Another has hired eleven full time
employees winning
• Two other winning companies have hired
fourteen full time equivalent employees
each.
Total new FTE for all companies: 45

4. “Since Winning the GRA/TAG Business
Launch Competition, we’ve added…”
• One company has all eleven of their new
employees in Georgia
• Another employs nine in our state
• Eight more FTE in Georgia from another
previous winner
• Four from Georgia from yet another winner.
Total number of new Georgia jobs: 32

5. “Since Winning the GRA/TAG Business
Launch Competition, our revenues…”
• All respondents indicated an overwhelming
increase in revenue generation since
winning.
Comments include:
– “Our revenue are 400% that of when we won the
Business Launch.”
– “Over $6,000,000 in revenue has been
generated.”
– “Revenues have doubled since winning.”
– “Revenues have tripled since winning.”

6. Additional Comments from
Winners
• “Since winning the business launch competition, we
have grown our customer base from zero to 109
hospital clients in seven states.”
• “Sold ~500 licenses to major technology firms and
universities in over 21 countries.”
• “Very strong growth. Have become the standard for
our industry. Continue to add new clients and large
strategic partners.”
• “Working on joint projects with Google to accelerate
the transcoding of YouTube videos.”
• “Employing three interns from Georgia Tech this
summer (not included in the FTE numbers above).”

7. “Since Winning the GRA/TAG Business
Launch Competition, we’ve used…”
• In 2010, Service Providers offered over $400,000 in
services to the finalists in the competition (4 finalists).
The winner received over $200,000 in services, while
each of the other three finalists received $70,000 in
services.
• Each year previously, the winners have received over
$200,000 in Services from our providers.
Some examples of our Service Providers include:

8. Exposure for Georgia Companies who
work with small businesses
In 2010, TAG began the
tradition of creating a Suite of
Services Directory that lists
each of the participating
companies, their offer, and
the amount at which that
offer is valued. The Suite of
Services Director is available
for download online at
tagthink.com, as well as
being placed in our office
and at the event.
We expect this addition to
increase the services
donations in future years, as
well as serving to encourage
other small businesses to
consider these Georgia
companies when choosing a
service vendor.

9. Mentoring
• The most promising applicants receive a mentor to discuss their
business and business plans and help finesse their messaging
• TAG selects mentors that are seasoned, successful executives
and/or serial entrepreneurs
• Over 130 young Georgia companies have received guidance from
successful entrepreneurs over the past five years. Some executives
who have volunteered their time:
– Mike Eckert, former CEO of The Weather Channel Inc. and Pathfire
– Joan Herbig, CEO of ControlScan, former CEO of Cambia Security and
XcelleNet, Inc.
– Steve Schilling, President and CEO of Cypress Communications, former CEO of
Netifice and prior COO of Charter Communications
– Nandan Sheth, President and COO of Acculynk and former co-founder and COO
of Harbor Payments

10. A True Community Partnership
• Technology Association of Georgia’s role
– Advertising, leadership, creating and leading the monthly task force meetings,
receiving and organizing all applications, lining up the suite of services providers,
coordinating all semifinals and event logistics, securing mentors, assigning
mentors, securing judges, and contributing $25,000 cash (starting in 2010)
• Georgia Research Alliance’s role
– Advertising, leadership, providing the vast majority of the cash funding ($425,000
to date)
• The Advanced Technology Development
Center’s role
– Advertising, leadership, screening initial applications, securing mentors,
assigning mentors, securing judges, running the Startup Gauntlet pitch practice
event, final presentation prep, final judging