About

As a globally recognized, university-based socioeconomic development organization, the Enterprise Innovation Institute is part of Georgia Tech’s Research Enterprise and reports to the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research. We serve as one of the primary vehicles to achieve Georgia Tech’s goal of expanded local, regional, and global outreach.

Collectively, our unique programmatic model helps entrepreneurs, industry, communities, ecosystem builders, and the public sector be more competitive and increase economic impact in Georgia, nationally, and globally. As a Georgia Tech unit, we connect customers to its vast resources, including world-class research, state-of-the-art facilities, internationally recognized experts, and top student talent.

EI2 brings these areas of expertise into a single organization to give clients comprehensive solutions customized to their individual needs.

1919

The Georgia General Assembly voted for an Engineering Experiment Station (now known at Georgia Tech Research Institute) to provide business and startup assistance and expand industry.

1934

Georgia Tech established an Engineering Experiment Station (under the 1919 legislation) with $5,000 in state funding, based on a recent faculty study of approximately 40 engineering experiments at universities around the nation.

1937

Georgia Power and the University System (now known as the University System of Georgia) set up an Industrial Development Council (now known as the Georgia Tech Research Corporation) to conduct contract research.

1946

The Engineering Experiment Station began conducting comprehensive economic analyses of multi-county regions with community and state funding, as well as resource utilization studies to identify opportunities for new industries with state funding.

1955

Georgia Tech faculty Dr. Kenneth C. Wagner received $50,000 from Georgia Governor Marvin Griffin to start an industrial development research program.

1956

Dr. Wagner established the Industrial Development Branch (within the Engineering Experiment Station) to support local state individuals and organizations on the “front line of the competition for new industrial facilities.”

1959

Georgia Governor Ernest Vandiver requested Dr. Wagner develop a comprehensive plan for future industrial development in the state. Simultaneously, the U.S. Department of Commerce Small Business Administration provided funding for Jerry Lewis, an Industrial Development Branch employee, conduct a study identifying small manufacturers’ needs and problems.

1960

The Georgia General Assembly, based on Dr. Wagner’s and Lewis’ work, voted to replace the 1919 legislation with an Industrial Extension Service (within the Industrial Development Branch) to create statewide field offices that develop existing industry and provide technical assistance.

1961

The Industrial Extension Service opened its first field office in Rome with $30,000 from Governor Vandiver and $75,000 from the Coosa Valley Area Planning and Development Commission.

1964-1966

The Industrial Extension Service added field offices in Albany, Augusta, Brunswick, Carrollton, Macon, and Savannah.

1965

The U.S. Department of Commerce established the State Technical Services Act of 1965, based on the Industrial Services Branch, to provide cost-sharing grants to states to establish and operate programs that provide technical assistance to industry. The Industrial Development Division began hiring experienced engineers from industry for new programs.

1967

The field office in Brunswick moved to Douglas.

1970

The Industrial Development Division published an annual report that described the organization as the oldest and one of the largest university-affiliated industrial and economic development groups in the country.

1979

The Industrial Extension Service added a field office in Gainesville.

1984

The Industrial Extension Service added field offices in Brunswick, Columbus, Dublin, and Madison.

1993

Georgia Tech established the Economic Development Institute (now known as the Enterprise Innovation Institute) and transferred the Industrial Extension Service to this unit.

1994

The Industrial Extension Service joined the Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Network and became the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP).

2025

GaMEP celebrated 65 years of service to Georgia’s manufacturers and received a commendation from Gov. Brian P. Kemp.

Our Mission

We inspire excellence and nurture the success of businesses, communities, and people in Georgia and beyond.

Our Vision

We are the trusted resource for delivering solutions that unlock potential and foster economic opportunity for all.

EI² Leadership

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Thought Leadership

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Staff Directory

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Our Facilities​

We are headquartered in the Centergy Building in Midtown Atlanta. Anchored in Technology Square, the home to academic, commercial, residential, and retail tenants, our facilities provide commercial leasing opportunities and a variety of conference room options to technology entrepreneurs, investors, non-profits, and Georgia Tech corporate strategic partners. 

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Regional Offices

We operate a statewide network of 12 regional offices in Georgia to assist you. Our regional managers work and live within the areas they serve. If you have questions about any of our services, or about how to connect your company or community to Georgia Tech resources, contact the regional manager in your area.

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