CREATE-X

CREATE-X is a prominent Georgia Tech initiative, established in 2014, dedicated to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit and facilitating the launch of successful startups among its student body. Operating as a comprehensive ecosystem, CREATE-X provides essential education, mentorship, and non-dilutive funding, specifically tailored to empower Georgia Tech students to transform their innovative ideas into viable businesses. Its mission extends beyond mere funding, aiming to cultivate a deep entrepreneurial mindset and equip future founders with the practical skills and network necessary for long-term success.

The core of CREATE-X's offering is its flagship Startup Launch program, which provides participating student teams with $20,000 in non-dilutive seed funding. This program is complemented by intensive mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and investors, alongside structured workshops covering critical aspects of startup development. Additionally, CREATE-X supports earlier-stage innovation through its Idea to Prototype (I2P) course, which offers up to $4,000 in grant funding to help students develop initial prototypes for their concepts, bridging the gap between an idea and a tangible product.

CREATE-X's unique model, which emphasizes supporting student innovation without taking equity, has yielded remarkable results. By 2023, the initiative had successfully helped launch over 300 companies, demonstrating its significant impact on the entrepreneurial landscape. These companies have collectively gone on to raise more than $1.5 billion in follow-on venture capital and have created over 2,500 jobs, underscoring the program's substantial contribution to both the economy and the talent pipeline. CREATE-X stands as a vital cornerstone for early-stage, university-born innovation within the broader Atlanta tech ecosystem.