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

Director, Investments and Venture Acceleration

Past deals in Georgia

Lucid Scientific

Series A in 2023
Lucid Scientific, Inc. is a biotechnology tools company based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in real-time cellular activity monitoring for drug discovery and biological research. The company serves academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies by offering innovative systems designed for continuous and non-invasive measurement of cellular activities. Its flagship technology, RESIPHER, utilizes high-resolution optical oxygen sensors to monitor oxygen consumption within standard multi-well plates. This system provides researchers with valuable insights into cell culture experiments, streaming data directly to a user-friendly web application. By enhancing the understanding of cellular environments, Lucid Scientific aims to accelerate drug discovery and advance basic biological research.

Micron Biomedical

Series A in 2022
Micron Biomedical is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company established in 2014 and located in Atlanta, Georgia. The company focuses on developing microneedle patches specifically for vaccines, including those for influenza and polio. Its innovative microneedle technology aims to improve protective and therapeutic effects while enhancing patient compliance and simplifying the administration process. By leveraging this technology, Micron Biomedical seeks to facilitate the development of effective vaccines, addressing important public health needs.

Lucid Scientific

Seed Round in 2020
Lucid Scientific, Inc. is a biotechnology tools company based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in real-time cellular activity monitoring for drug discovery and biological research. The company serves academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies by offering innovative systems designed for continuous and non-invasive measurement of cellular activities. Its flagship technology, RESIPHER, utilizes high-resolution optical oxygen sensors to monitor oxygen consumption within standard multi-well plates. This system provides researchers with valuable insights into cell culture experiments, streaming data directly to a user-friendly web application. By enhancing the understanding of cellular environments, Lucid Scientific aims to accelerate drug discovery and advance basic biological research.

Apptega

Seed Round in 2020
Apptega Inc. specializes in developing cybersecurity management software solutions, offering a platform that allows users to efficiently build, manage, and report on various cybersecurity functions. This platform integrates with established frameworks and facilitates data sharing with other applications, streamlining the cybersecurity process. It is designed to assist organizations of all sizes, including chief information officers and Fortune 1000 companies, in organizing their cybersecurity programs and enhancing their defenses against modern threats. Apptega's tools enable managed service providers to effectively manage their clients' cybersecurity initiatives. Established in 2018 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Apptega aims to simplify the complexities of cybersecurity and compliance, providing clients with greater visibility and control over their cybersecurity strategies.

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 aimed at reducing recidivism among returning citizens. The company's primary product, known as Pokket, serves as a cloud-based compliance platform that connects justice agencies and human service providers. It facilitates the synchronization of public and private social services case management, enabling effective communication and data exchange between drug, problem-solving, and juvenile courts. By addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals re-entering society, Acivilate aims to enhance rehabilitation efforts and support successful reintegration into the community. Founded in 2014, Acivilate is a majority woman-owned business that emphasizes measurable outcomes to ensure the effectiveness of its interventions.

Carbice

Seed Round in 2017
Carbice Corporation, founded in 2012 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializes in thermal interface technology components. The company produces Carbice Carbon, an advanced thermal interface material designed to lower device temperatures and effectively dissipate heat from product packaging. By utilizing a composite of recycled aluminum and aligned carbon nanotubes, Carbice Carbon sets a standard for performance, reliability, and cost-effective assembly across various sectors, including electronics, energy, and industrial applications. The technology addresses critical heat dissipation challenges faced by electronic devices, enabling clients to enhance thermo-connectivity management. Founded by Georgia Tech Professor Baratunde Cola and a team of researchers, Carbice also maintains an office in London and is expanding with a new location in Toulouse, France.

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 a provider of a cloud-based enterprise mobility platform that enables organizations to transform existing enterprise applications into mobile applications without the need for coding or extensive technical skills. Founded in 2012 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, the company utilizes a unique remote computing protocol called MORPH, which allows for real-time adaptation of applications to deliver a native mobile experience across various devices. StarMobile's solution requires minimal configuration and maintenance, ensuring scalability and end-to-end security while maintaining detailed analytics capabilities. The leadership team brings over 125 years of experience in enterprise software and mobile computing, positioning StarMobile as a cost-effective and efficient option for companies looking to enhance their mobile application offerings.

Lumense

Series C in 2015
Lumense, Inc. is a company based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in the development of optical interferometric sensor technology for chemical and biological applications. Founded in 2011, Lumense has made significant advancements by exclusively licensing technology from Georgia Tech, where it originated from $20 million in research funding. The company offers real-time, in situ sensors that detect a range of substances, including chemicals, cellular organisms, viruses, and toxins. Lumense aims to enhance quality control by providing scalable sensors that enable clients to proactively manage contaminants in gases and liquids. In addition to launching standard products, Lumense is also engaged in the development of custom sensors in collaboration with various industry leaders.

Celtaxsys

Series D in 2015
Celtaxsys, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for inflammatory diseases, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. Established in 2007 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company is engaged in developing drug compounds that manipulate immune cell migration and activation. One of its key products, CTX-4430, is a small-molecule drug designed to inhibit the enzyme Leukotriene A4 hydrolase in immune cells, targeting conditions such as cystic fibrosis and moderately severe acne. Celtaxsys aims to provide innovative treatments that address the protective mechanisms of certain tumors, thereby enhancing the immune response against cancer and managing serious inflammatory conditions.

StarMobile

Seed Round in 2015
StarMobile, Inc. is a provider of a cloud-based enterprise mobility platform that enables organizations to transform existing enterprise applications into mobile applications without the need for coding or extensive technical skills. Founded in 2012 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, the company utilizes a unique remote computing protocol called MORPH, which allows for real-time adaptation of applications to deliver a native mobile experience across various devices. StarMobile's solution requires minimal configuration and maintenance, ensuring scalability and end-to-end security while maintaining detailed analytics capabilities. The leadership team brings over 125 years of experience in enterprise software and mobile computing, positioning StarMobile as a cost-effective and efficient option for companies looking to enhance their mobile application offerings.

Lumense

Series B in 2013
Lumense, Inc. is a company based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in the development of optical interferometric sensor technology for chemical and biological applications. Founded in 2011, Lumense has made significant advancements by exclusively licensing technology from Georgia Tech, where it originated from $20 million in research funding. The company offers real-time, in situ sensors that detect a range of substances, including chemicals, cellular organisms, viruses, and toxins. Lumense aims to enhance quality control by providing scalable sensors that enable clients to proactively manage contaminants in gases and liquids. In addition to launching standard products, Lumense is also engaged in the development of custom sensors in collaboration with various industry leaders.

StarMobile

Seed Round in 2013
StarMobile, Inc. is a provider of a cloud-based enterprise mobility platform that enables organizations to transform existing enterprise applications into mobile applications without the need for coding or extensive technical skills. Founded in 2012 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, the company utilizes a unique remote computing protocol called MORPH, which allows for real-time adaptation of applications to deliver a native mobile experience across various devices. StarMobile's solution requires minimal configuration and maintenance, ensuring scalability and end-to-end security while maintaining detailed analytics capabilities. The leadership team brings over 125 years of experience in enterprise software and mobile computing, positioning StarMobile as a cost-effective and efficient option for companies looking to enhance their mobile application offerings.

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 offers a cloud-based platform designed to streamline access to utility data. By connecting directly to utility providers, Urjanet acquires and normalizes utility bills and interval data, enabling organizations to automate data collection and enhance decision-making processes. Its offerings include a range of data-as-a-service solutions, such as automated access to utility bill data, granular measurements of energy consumption, and advanced metering infrastructure data. The platform also provides tools for users to submit utility credentials securely, as well as alerts for billing and consumption irregularities. Urjanet's data services support business intelligence, energy management, accounting, and procurement, helping organizations improve financial performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with an additional office in Chennai, India, Urjanet aims to transform how organizations utilize utility data across various industries.

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 offers a cloud-based platform designed to streamline access to utility data. By connecting directly to utility providers, Urjanet acquires and normalizes utility bills and interval data, enabling organizations to automate data collection and enhance decision-making processes. Its offerings include a range of data-as-a-service solutions, such as automated access to utility bill data, granular measurements of energy consumption, and advanced metering infrastructure data. The platform also provides tools for users to submit utility credentials securely, as well as alerts for billing and consumption irregularities. Urjanet's data services support business intelligence, energy management, accounting, and procurement, helping organizations improve financial performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with an additional office in Chennai, India, Urjanet aims to transform how organizations utilize utility data across various industries.
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