Georgia Equity Direct Investment Program

The Georgia Equity Direct Investment Program provides direct investment in eligible Georgia innovation businesses alongside private and other qualified investors.

The $20 million program is funded through the federal State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The Georgia Department of Community Affairs administers Georgia’s SSBCI funding and partners with Invest Georgia to operate the program.

How the program works

Unlike the Georgia Venture Capital Program, which invests through venture capital funds, the Georgia Equity Direct Investment Program allows Invest Georgia to invest SSBCI funding directly in eligible Georgia businesses.

A third party identifies potential businesses and conducts due diligence. Qualifying investment opportunities are presented to the Invest Georgia Board, which has authority to approve investments.

Invest Georgia invests alongside other investors, which may include angel investors, nonprofit seed funds, emerging funds, socially and economically disadvantaged individual (SEDI) funds and rural funds.

Investment parameters

Investments through the program:

• range from $250,000 to $1 million
• require a co-investor match of at least 1:1.

For Georgia businesses

Businesses must meet program eligibility requirements and federal SSBCI requirements to receive an investment.

Because investments are made alongside other investors and potential investments undergo due diligence before being presented to the Invest Georgia Board, businesses should review the program requirements and process before seeking funding.

[Learn about business eligibility and requirements]

How investment decisions are made

Potential investments are evaluated through a due diligence process before qualifying opportunities are presented to the Invest Georgia Board.

The Board has authority to approve investments made through the program.