GRA Venture Fund

GRA Venture Fund, established in 2009, is a venture capital firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. It invests in seed and early-stage companies originating from Georgia's universities, focusing on technology, life sciences, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors. The fund is backed by the State of Georgia, private individuals, corporations, and foundations.

J. Connor Seabrook

Managing Director and Vice President

Past deals in FSU

Lucid Scientific

Series A in 2023
Lucid Scientific, Inc. is a biotechnology tools company based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in the development of real-time cellular activity monitors for drug discovery and biological research. The company focuses on providing innovative systems that enable researchers in academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies to conduct continuous and non-invasive analysis of cellular behavior. Its flagship technology, RESIPHER, utilizes proprietary high-resolution optical oxygen sensors to measure oxygen consumption in standard multi-well plates. This tool streams real-time data to a user-friendly web application, allowing researchers to gain valuable insights into the cellular environment directly from the incubator, thereby enhancing the efficiency of cell culture experiments.

Micron Biomedical

Series A in 2022
Micron Biomedical is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2014 and based in Atlanta, Georgia. The company focuses on developing innovative microneedle patches designed for administering vaccines, specifically targeting influenza and polio. Its proprietary microneedle technology aims to enhance the protective and therapeutic effects of vaccines while improving patient compliance and simplifying the administration process. Through its advanced delivery methods, Micron Biomedical seeks to facilitate the development of vaccines that can address critical healthcare needs.

Lucid Scientific

Seed Round in 2020
Lucid Scientific, Inc. is a biotechnology tools company based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in the development of real-time cellular activity monitors for drug discovery and biological research. The company focuses on providing innovative systems that enable researchers in academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies to conduct continuous and non-invasive analysis of cellular behavior. Its flagship technology, RESIPHER, utilizes proprietary high-resolution optical oxygen sensors to measure oxygen consumption in standard multi-well plates. This tool streams real-time data to a user-friendly web application, allowing researchers to gain valuable insights into the cellular environment directly from the incubator, thereby enhancing the efficiency of cell culture experiments.

Apptega

Seed Round in 2020
Apptega Inc. is a cybersecurity management software company based in Atlanta, Georgia, founded in 2018. The company develops a platform that enables organizations to build, manage, and report on their cybersecurity functions through a suite of specialized applications. This platform connects with established frameworks and facilitates automatic data sharing with other applications, streamlining the management of cybersecurity programs. Apptega's solutions are designed to assist organizations of all sizes, particularly chief information officers and Fortune 1000 companies, in organizing their cybersecurity efforts effectively. By simplifying administrative tasks and providing a centralized online dashboard, Apptega helps clients enhance their cybersecurity posture and navigate the complexities of compliance and modern threats.

Acivilate

Seed Round in 2017
Acivilate, Inc. is a technology social enterprise based in Atlanta, Georgia, that specializes in developing software as a service (SaaS) solutions under the name Pokket. Founded in 2014, Acivilate's platform facilitates connections between justice agencies and human service providers to support returning citizens. By synchronizing public and private social services case management, the platform aids courts in exchanging confidential data and conducting rehabilitation programs. This approach aims to address the challenges faced by individuals re-entering society, ultimately reducing recidivism rates. As a majority woman-owned business, Acivilate is committed to measuring outcomes and interventions to ensure the success of its initiatives.

Carbice

Seed Round in 2017
Carbice Corporation, founded in 2012 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializes in thermal interface technology components. The company is renowned for its innovative product, Carbice Carbon, which effectively lowers device temperatures and facilitates heat dissipation from product packaging. This technology is designed to meet the performance, reliability, and assembly cost challenges faced in critical sectors such as electronics, energy, and industrial applications. Carbice's thermal interface materials are composed of a composite of recycled aluminum and aligned carbon nanotubes, addressing the growing need for efficient thermal management in electronic devices. In addition to its headquarters in Atlanta, Carbice has an office in London and plans to establish a presence in Toulouse, France, reflecting its commitment to global outreach and innovation in thermal applications.

Axion BioSystems

Venture Round in 2016
Axion BioSystems, Inc. is a life science instrumentation company based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in multi-electrode array technology. Founded in 2007, the company provides solutions for cellular information analysis, catering to research, clinical, and drug discovery markets. Its product lineup includes single-well systems, stimulating and recording channels, multi-well systems, and integrated circuits designed to eliminate stimulation artifacts. Additionally, Axion BioSystems offers microelectrode array plates and the Axion BioSystems Integrated Studio (AxIS), as well as a product known as Lumos. Through its innovative technology, the company aims to enhance the understanding of cellular behavior and facilitate advancements in biomedical research.

StarMobile

Seed Round in 2015
StarMobile, Inc. is an Atlanta-based company that specializes in cloud-based enterprise mobility solutions. Founded in 2012, it provides a codeless platform that enables organizations to transform existing enterprise applications—whether on-premise or cloud-based—into mobile applications without the need for coding or extensive technical skills. Utilizing a unique remote computing protocol called MORPH, StarMobile dynamically renders applications for any mobile device, maintaining a native user experience and seamless device integration. The platform is designed for simplicity, requiring minimal configuration and maintenance while offering scalability and robust security features. With a leadership team boasting over 125 years of combined experience in enterprise software and mobile computing, StarMobile is positioned to deliver innovative mobility solutions that enhance operational efficiency for businesses.

Lumense

Series C in 2015
Lumense, Inc., founded in 2011 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializes in developing real-time, in situ chemical and biological sensors. The company's technology, originally derived from research at Georgia Tech, utilizes optical interferometric sensor technology to detect a wide range of substances, including chemicals, cellular organisms, viruses, proteins, and toxins. Lumense has exclusively licensed this core intellectual property and continues to enhance it. The company offers standard products in specific focus areas and collaborates with leading industries to develop custom sensors tailored to their needs.

Celtaxsys

Series D in 2015
Celtaxsys, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Atlanta, Georgia, founded in 2007. The company specializes in the discovery and development of novel therapeutics aimed at treating inflammatory diseases, including cystic fibrosis and moderately severe acne. Its lead product, CTX-4430, is a small-molecule drug that targets the enzyme Leukotriene A4 hydrolase in immune cells. Celtaxsys also focuses on manipulating immune cell migration and activation to develop treatments for cancer, inflammatory conditions, and autoimmune diseases. Through its innovative approach, the company aims to provide effective therapies for patients suffering from rare and serious inflammatory disorders.

StarMobile

Seed Round in 2015
StarMobile, Inc. is an Atlanta-based company that specializes in cloud-based enterprise mobility solutions. Founded in 2012, it provides a codeless platform that enables organizations to transform existing enterprise applications—whether on-premise or cloud-based—into mobile applications without the need for coding or extensive technical skills. Utilizing a unique remote computing protocol called MORPH, StarMobile dynamically renders applications for any mobile device, maintaining a native user experience and seamless device integration. The platform is designed for simplicity, requiring minimal configuration and maintenance while offering scalability and robust security features. With a leadership team boasting over 125 years of combined experience in enterprise software and mobile computing, StarMobile is positioned to deliver innovative mobility solutions that enhance operational efficiency for businesses.

Lumense

Series B in 2013
Lumense, Inc., founded in 2011 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializes in developing real-time, in situ chemical and biological sensors. The company's technology, originally derived from research at Georgia Tech, utilizes optical interferometric sensor technology to detect a wide range of substances, including chemicals, cellular organisms, viruses, proteins, and toxins. Lumense has exclusively licensed this core intellectual property and continues to enhance it. The company offers standard products in specific focus areas and collaborates with leading industries to develop custom sensors tailored to their needs.

StarMobile

Seed Round in 2013
StarMobile, Inc. is an Atlanta-based company that specializes in cloud-based enterprise mobility solutions. Founded in 2012, it provides a codeless platform that enables organizations to transform existing enterprise applications—whether on-premise or cloud-based—into mobile applications without the need for coding or extensive technical skills. Utilizing a unique remote computing protocol called MORPH, StarMobile dynamically renders applications for any mobile device, maintaining a native user experience and seamless device integration. The platform is designed for simplicity, requiring minimal configuration and maintenance while offering scalability and robust security features. With a leadership team boasting over 125 years of combined experience in enterprise software and mobile computing, StarMobile is positioned to deliver innovative mobility solutions that enhance operational efficiency for businesses.

Clearside Biomedical

Series A in 2013
Clearside Biomedical, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for serious eye diseases with the aim of restoring and preserving vision. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, the company specializes in a proprietary ocular microinjection platform that allows for targeted delivery of therapeutic products to specific compartments of the eye. This innovative approach includes the use of the SCS Microinjector for administering therapies directly into the suprachoroidal space, enabling a non-surgical, repeatable procedure. Among its product pipeline, Clearside is developing XIPERE, a triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension for macular edema, and CLS-AX, an axitinib for suprachoroidal injection. The company is dedicated to advancing pharmacological therapies for sight-threatening conditions by ensuring precise and effective treatment delivery.

Urjanet

Series B in 2012
Urjanet, Inc. is a company that specializes in providing a cloud-based platform for automated access to utility data. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with an additional location in Chennai, India, Urjanet connects directly to utility providers to acquire and normalize utility bills and interval data. Its offerings include automated access to utility bill data across various utilities, granular measurements of energy consumption, and advanced metering infrastructure data without requiring additional hardware or software. The platform also features capabilities for weather data analysis and alerts for billing and consumption anomalies. Urjanet's solutions are designed to improve business intelligence, energy management, accounting, and procurement processes for organizations, enabling them to enhance financial performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

Clearside Biomedical

Series A in 2012
Clearside Biomedical, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for serious eye diseases with the aim of restoring and preserving vision. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, the company specializes in a proprietary ocular microinjection platform that allows for targeted delivery of therapeutic products to specific compartments of the eye. This innovative approach includes the use of the SCS Microinjector for administering therapies directly into the suprachoroidal space, enabling a non-surgical, repeatable procedure. Among its product pipeline, Clearside is developing XIPERE, a triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension for macular edema, and CLS-AX, an axitinib for suprachoroidal injection. The company is dedicated to advancing pharmacological therapies for sight-threatening conditions by ensuring precise and effective treatment delivery.

Urjanet

Series A in 2011
Urjanet, Inc. is a company that specializes in providing a cloud-based platform for automated access to utility data. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with an additional location in Chennai, India, Urjanet connects directly to utility providers to acquire and normalize utility bills and interval data. Its offerings include automated access to utility bill data across various utilities, granular measurements of energy consumption, and advanced metering infrastructure data without requiring additional hardware or software. The platform also features capabilities for weather data analysis and alerts for billing and consumption anomalies. Urjanet's solutions are designed to improve business intelligence, energy management, accounting, and procurement processes for organizations, enabling them to enhance financial performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability.
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