Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), the internationally recognized, state-funded technology business incubator, has expanded its reach into Middle Georgia with the hiring of Macon native and entrepreneur Robert Grant as the new catalyst for ATDC@Macon.

ATDC is a part of Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, the nation’s largest, most comprehensive, university-based program of entrepreneurship and startup development, business and industry growth, and international outreach. Through the ATDC@ program, the incubator’s expertise and resources are available around the state, with catalysts seeking out tech entrepreneurs in Albany, Alpharetta, Athens, Augusta, Forsyth County, Peachtree Corners, Savannah, and now, Macon. 

“Historically, to do a tech startup, being in a large metropolitan area has been a key part of that,” said Ben Andrews, ATDC’s statewide program manager. “You need access not just to talent, but also resources like law firms and accounting firms that have specialized skills to work with scaling companies. We help make those connections for you, even if you're not in an area like Atlanta.”

The entrepreneurial bug hit Grant hard after he was laid off from a series of jobs, the last one in 2016. At that point, he decided to work for himself, and he’s never looked back.

His businesses include the YouTube channel That Guy You Met Today, where he v-logged about travel and restaurants. A marketing business with a focus on the hospitality/travel industry grew out of the YouTube channel. Then the pandemic hit his clients hard. 

“From that I was able to pivot my marketing business into a printing business,” he said. “It's called Print Your Sheet. It's an Etsy store, where I make pop culture greeting cards.”

He brought his wife, who works as a medical lab scientist, into the next venture, EZ-Genetics LLC, a lab for noninvasive prenatal genetic testing and at-home prenatal gender tests. 

Now, he wants to help others bring their entrepreneurial dreams to fruition. “I am passionate about our local startup community,” he said. “As a fairly small yet rapidly growing community, many of the resources that can be found in larger communities have not quite made their way to Middle Georgia. I am excited to be at the forefront of this new wave of resources that will add more diversity to our startup ecosystem.”

Robert Betzel, a local tech entrepreneur and SparkMacon board member, shares Grant’s excitement. With ATDC@Macon, “you can be here in Middle Georgia, you can grow your team here, while you are able to take advantage of the programming and support that ATDC can bring to a company without having to go to Atlanta,” he said. 

“I look forward to providing our local tech entrepreneurs with resources that will allow them to remain in Middle Georgia hopefully bringing more high-tech jobs to our community,” Grant said.