Bring your ideas to life.
The Innovation District is a comprehensive ecosystem of people, programs, and places working together to foster entrepreneurship and the commercialization of ideas at UGA.
Dr. Peter Chiarelli and Dr. Kevin E. Mis-Solval didn’t set out with the intent to reinvent collagen, but rather to solve a problem. A shared curiosity about the potential of jellyfish eventually grew into a mission to create a cleaner, more sustainable collagen alternative. After years of research, experimentation and the right partnerships, that mission came to life: JellyCo, a startup trailblazing collagen research.
In December 2025, the co-founders introduced their first JellyCo product to the market, signifying a moment of success and development. Collaborating with UGA’s Innovation Gateway, a core function of the Innovation District, shaped their path and influenced their entrepreneurial journey.
Chiarelli and Mis-Solval’s partnership with the organization began before JellyCo even existed; it was when they started filing patents with the University. Their work first emerged in Mis‑Solval’s lab in the Department of Food Science and Technology at UGA’s Griffin campus. Here, Mis-Solval and his doctoral student at the time, Peter G. Chiarelli, Ph.D., were exploring new ways to use edible jellyfish. They noticed jellyfish seemed to be an untapped resource along Georgia’s coast.
“We wanted to help the local fishermen to create new, sustainable revenue streams by developing value‑added products from this underutilized species,” said Mis-Solval.
Through their research, they learned something surprising—cannonball jellyfish contain high-quality collagen. That discovery opened new possibilities that extended beyond the jellyfish’s edible uses:
“When we noticed how hydrating and softening the material felt on skin, the idea for a clean, regenerative, U.S.‑made jellyfish collagen skincare line began to take shape,” said Mis-Solval.
2021 marked the official start of Chiarelli and Mis-Solval’s relationship with Innovation Gateway. Their partnership began when Innovation Gateway assisted them with the technical task of filing patents. Aiding them through the process of licensing, early business formation, funding pathways, and the overall fundamentals of entrepreneurship, Innovation Gateway became a critical resource to JellyCo’s framework. This firm foundation allowed them to develop and launch their first product in December 2025: America’s first 100% USA-sourced jellyfish collagen lightweight moisturizer.
Innovation Gateway provided the JellyCo team with expertise, mentorship, and a community that wanted them to succeed. The young co-founders described the one-on-one support from the program as “pivotal” and invaluable, noting that the innovation ecosystem’s early support is unmatched anywhere else and ultimately made the biggest difference in helping their business grow. “Through our journey, Dan Geller and Kevin Wu [Innovation Gateway staff] were always willing to meet, answer questions, and help us think through the next steps. Their support made a real difference,” said Mis-Solval.
As a core function of the Innovation District, Innovation Gateway is a great place to find the support and guidance you need to launch a business idea — even one inspired by something as unexpected as jellyfish.
“If you’re at UGA in any capacity (faculty, student, staff, etc.) and thinking about starting a company, it would be a mistake not to engage with Innovation Gateway. You don’t know what you don’t know, and having experienced people challenge your assumptions, refine your ideas, and point you toward the right resources can change the trajectory of your venture. It’s a free resource for students, and the value you get from simply showing up, asking questions, and being coachable is enormous,” said Mis-Solval.
