Annate Bitherapeutics, a University of Georgia startup, was among a select group of early-stage companies featured in April at the first Southeast Venture Showcase (SVS) in Nashville.
SVS, born out of the SEC Tech Transfer directors meeting hosted annually by UGA, is a premier showcase for research universities and federal laboratories across the Southeast to present their most promising technologies. Designed to accelerate commercialization, it helps early-stage companies connect with the nation’s venture capital community to move discoveries from lab to market. Participation was competitive, with only a select group of startups chosen to present.
Representing UGA’s growing innovation ecosystem, Annate Bitherapeutics pitched and met one-on-one with investors, industry advisors, and other startup leaders. Led by its CEO, Eric DeJesus, Annate is developing a novel approach to cancer treatment by harnessing a specific component of the human innate immune system to selectively target and eliminate cancer cells. Unlike traditional therapies that rely on toxic drugs or T-cell activation, Annate’s platform redirects a naturally occurring immune mechanism to treat both solid and liquid tumors with minimal off-target toxicity.
“SVS was our first official pitch to investors, so preparation was critical,” DeJesus said. “We had a few blind spots in terms of what to expect, but the team at Innovation Gateway provided valuable guidance that helped us navigate the experience.”
Until that point, most of Annate’s conversations had been limited to academic collaborators, physicians, and internal advisors. Meeting face-to-face with investors pushed the team to sharpen how they communicate and connect, helping them refine both their message and networking approach.
“We recognize that building these relationships takes time,” DeJesus said. “But this is how it begins.”
