Start-up Georgia: Changing employers into employees
Tweet 
Share
Georgia is welcoming nine completely innovative ideas and fully-funded ventures to the most viable sector of Georgian economy - the high-tech and innovations-based industry.
Within the second stage of Government initiated Start-up Georgia project the Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili awarded nine best business ideas at a special ceremony yesterday.
Thanks to the 900,000 GEL (about $338,365/€323,608*) given to the winning entrepreneurs in total, they will now be able to contribute to development of tourism, agriculture, chemical industry, construction and other related fields.
Start-up Georgia project was launched by the Government of Georgia this May to foster entrepreneurial spirit, encourage the creation of new businesses and develop the economy by supporting innovative ideas. It is an important part of the four-point reform agenda of the Government elaborated for quick development of the country.
Congratulating the winners at the special award ceremony, Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikahsvili said this project is a step forward to new Georgia and new Georgian economy. He believed this project would turn the youth from employees to employers.
"This is an economic transformation and the change of people’s attitude towards entrepreneurship,” Kvirikashvili said.
Encouraging everyone to never hesitate making a step forward he said if at least one out of hundred steps could be precise, this could bring a positive change to the Georgian economy.
Winners of nine innovative ideas received 900,000 GEL in total. Photo by Prime Minister's Press Office
The project has attracted 726 applications of new business ideas from all around Georgia since launching. This included 580 innovative ideas and 146 - high technology businesses.
As Prime Minister Kvirikashvili said, selection of the winners was transparent. He noted that experts from the USA and Europe with relevant backgrounds also participated in the process.
At the beginning the Government announced the funding pool for the program was 11 million GEL (about $4.16 million/€3.98 million*) but it would increase to 35 million GEL (about $13.23 million/€12.68 million*) as time progressed.
*Currencies are equivalent with latest National Bank of Georgia exchange rate.
20 winning business ideas undergo intensive training
Winners of the nationwide Start-up Georgia competition are preparing to undergo intensive training before heading to the United States (US) where they’ll present their creative ideas to business experts and investors.
20 winners each attract 100,000 GEL funding
Start-up Georgia, a Government-initiated competition to find the best new business ideas, has selected 20 winners who will each receive 100,000 GEL to bring their idea to life.
Investors from the United States (US) are pledging to financially support the best of Georgia’s young, creative minds to turn their new business idea into reality.
The Government of Georgia is starting a new program to finance start-ups in the country as a way to foster entrepreneurial spirit, encourage the creation of new businesses and develop the economy.
Winners of the Millennium Innovation Competition Smart Kid will participate in a US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Center University educational program in May.
Georgia is welcoming eight completely innovative ideas and fully-funded ventures to the most viable sector of Georgian economy - the high-tech and innovations-based industry.
The Government initiated Start-up program has revealed one of its winners for vertical parking.
The traditional souvenirs, clothes, bakery, dried fruit, wine, tea and other Georgian-made products have been exhibited at the old part of Tbilisi today, which is hosting a weekend fair aimed at promoting Georgian entrepreneurs and their local production.