The Gwinnett Chamber’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s (CIE) mission is to identify, enable and promote high-growth, high-impact companies and accelerate the entrepreneurial culture of Gwinnett County and Georgia’s Innovation Crescent. The CIE achieves its mission by providing entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks and skills that ensure their success, and at the same time heightens awareness of the contribution that entrepreneurial companies make to our communities and our economy.

The CIE was formed in 2008, based on the recommendations of Partnership Gwinnett and the State’s Entrepreneurial Friendly initiative. It combines all of the Chamber’s previous small business programs with those from our strategic partners while adding new ones grouped into four major areas: education, capital formation, mentoring and communications.

Education
CIE’s educational programs will include formal entrepreneurial training special interest roundtables and a host of additional seminars and programs that provide information and guidance on management, finance, commercialization of technologies, and other topics facing entrepreneurs.

Capital Formation
To increase available capital for Gwinnett’s entrepreneurs, CIE will present an annual venture conference, annual investment surveys and reports, and provide opportunities to network with venture investors, private investors, and investment bankers.

Mentoring
CIE will mobilize the professional community and seasoned entrepreneurs to share their knowledge with emerging entrepreneurs. CIE members have lots of opportunities to meet mentors who can help them define and direct their businesses through a wide variety of entrepreneurial roundtables.

Communications
CIE's future Membership Directory of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial service providers includes information on entrepreneurial companies, government agencies, service professionals, consultants, investors, and other valuable contacts in Gwinnett and Georgia’s Innovation Crescent. CIE will also produce a monthly e-newsletter with the latest on deals, significant company milestones and contracts, product releases and noteworthy developments in Gwinnett’s innovation sector.