Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Emory
Each of us at Emory pursues new ideas and knowledge. Many of us also seek new answers to human needs—and for this kind of pursuit, we are here to assist.
Emory's university-wide entrepreneurship and innovation initiative formalized in 2024 with a single purpose: To encourage and support efforts in the Emory community that turn ideas and discoveries into tangible benefits to humankind.
Such an expedition takes three forms, each a different distance:
- Exploring the potential of your finding, invention or idea as a solution to a real problem. What you have is to be evaluated, tested, refined.
- Venturing further, to lead or support the development of your innovation into an actual product, drug or service that promises to benefit people—directly, or through other businesses.
- Going further still, shaping a company around your validated solution; or, alternatively, licensing the technology to another who will finish the path to market.
Of course, how far you take this expedition is up to you. But know that people here at Emory—experts in various aspects of entrepreneurship—are prepared and motivated to help.
What help looks like
This website is a first stop to:
- Give you the wider view of innovation at Emory; and
- Point you to campus resources that support your entrepreneurial expedition.
Collectively, these campus resources constitute the Emory entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem. Some have been around a long time—the Office of Transfer Technology, for example. Others, like the Center for New Medicines and the Emory Entrepreneurship Clinic, were formed more recently.
While most entities of the ecosystem primarily serve faculty and staff, Emory students are a priority. The Hatchery is the definitive starting point for student entrepreneurship, but other resources are available as well.
Emory researchers making the expedition
Rasheeta Chandler
“I didn’t imagine myself as an entrepreneur. But once I saw that it was an option, I was intrigued…”
Rasheeta's Experience
Margaret “Kenny” Offermann
“Lab2Launch at Emory allows us to generate critical data that investors and grantors need to decide on awards.”
Kenny's Experience
Edmund “Ned” Waller
“One significant benefit we gained was how to talk to people who aren’t experts in the field about the commercial potential of a drug.”
Ned's Experience
Alissa Cohan
"I am profoundly thankful to Emory and the incredible community of faculty and staff who support student entrepreneurs. Their help has been invaluable, and I believe that if I can succeed, anyone can."
Alissa’s Experience
Shashwat Murarka
“I took the leap into entrepreneurship because getting help was just an application away. I thought: Why not apply?”
Shashwat’s Experience
James Dahlman
“I’m grateful to be supported by an Emory ecosystem that helps bring new drugs to market.”
James' ExperienceWhy Emory Innovates
The simplest answer: Innovation is part of who we are.
The rallying cry of our university has always been “In the service of humanity,” a motivational force that’s reflected in education and exploration. We serve through what we learn and discover.
But this motivation is equally evident in entrepreneurship: We serve humanity also by delivering our discoveries and inventions to people everywhere.
Many of these have greatly improved human health. New drugs, diagnostics and devices have improved patient care and addressed unmet medical needs. In fact, Emory-invented treatments for HIV and COVID-19, are widely known.
Beyond these, a long list of other Emory innovations have also made their impact—on people and businesses, yes, but also on the research enterprise itself. Success drives new effort, and a cycle is repeated.
Finally, innovation at Emory is a powerfully connecting force. The many steps of entrepreneurship involve multiple people, all working together for a common good. It’s a form of collaboration that strengthens us as a community.
This is why enterprise has emerged—as an initiative, an ecosystem and a university imperative. It’s also why we have a dedicated leader in the Office of Provost to grow the effort.