National Competition in Georgia
On December 5-6, 2023, Ilia State University, Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University (TAFU), Iliauni FABLAB and Innovative Center Smart Café hosted the
Business Idea Competition in Tbilisi Georgia.
The National Competition of Business Ideas was part of a larger project, “Connecting universities-industry through smart entrepreneurial cooperation and competitive intelligence of students in Moldova, Georgia and Armenia”/CONNECT. Reference number: 617393-EPP-1-2020-1-MD-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP. The project is funded by the European Commission – Executive Agency for Education, Audiovisual and Culture – within the Erasmus+ programme.
The project “Connecting universities-industry through smart entrepreneurial cooperation and competitive intelligence of students in Moldova, Georgia and Armenia” aims at reinforcement of university-industry relationship based on smart (multidimensional) entrepreneurial approach in higher education institutions from Eastern Partnership countries and enhancement of students’ and graduates’ competitive intelligence (behaviors, skills, mindsets) and their ability to create jobs. The project started on January 15, 2021, the whole duration of the project is 3 years.
The National Competition gave the possibility to students throughout Georgia to participate, pitch their innovative business ideas and get a chance to further present their business ideas on an international scale.
In order to bring further expertise and experience, Ilia State University has joined forces with the IliaUni FabLab and its team. The event program was a mix of mentoring sessions, inspiring speeches and capacity building opportunities. The team of lecturers who have participated in previous activities training courses as part of the CONNECT project were invited to provide their input, mentorship and interact with the students.
Registration for the competition was open for youth all over Georgia. Promotion efforts were jointly done by IliaUni and TAFU. The competition featured 20 students representing different universities in Georgia. Two winners from TAFU and two winners from Ilia Uni have been selected by an independent selection committee comprising Ilia Uni Fablab representatives, mentors and trainers. Two additional nominations were announced: Fablab Favorite, Acceleration Choice (with whom Fablab plans to further work on the development of the business idea).
- Social media coverage and promotion of the competition and its results
https://www.facebook.com/Iliauni/videos/766546238703385 - https://iliauni.edu.ge/ge/siaxleebi-8/axali-ambebi-36/erasmusis-proeqt-connect-is- finaluri-etapis-saqartveloshi-biznes-ideebis-erovnuli-konkursis-gonisdzieba.page https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid01DHQem2794dhjXB2 98TtJz4k3RwaWUBVg45TpsE7rRWyL6o9FFAvxx2TBLAButUml&id=100076443 034700&locale=ka_GE https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0MCL8Mg2DvgHthgH npfghu8ueTYNwYguxKhdutnCYWiNKq5jDKSR5kcw9GYpZSrpXl&id=100076443 034700&locale=ka_GE
- https://www.facebook.com/100076443034700/videos/678811857385349?locale= ka_GE
- https://www.facebook.com/tafuofficial/posts/pfbid05Emu64eFzdUc7L6BC2aSg48 3e1eC1oHocXxforv5PJCLurkXaHE6AEXfkXUCHcHal?locale=ka_GE
- https://www.facebook.com/tafuofficial/posts/pfbid0Yj2MGcGGLEybLq4VcY66sAt GJmpbVAr4QxDTqKLNmMUu2wjkXMVQqXkWDjPyVxQcl?locale=ka_GE
https://www.facebook.com/tafuofficial/videos/848782580372295/?locale=ka_GE - Photo material:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=Iliauni&set=a.742530734577558
Two winning ideas will be additionally pitched during the national business plan competition in Sofia, Bulgaria on December 18-21, 2023.
Winning ideas
- Virtual Story – Digital Interactive Books (TAFU);
- Business AI Soft – Program Solutions for SMB (IliaUni);
- Musart Academia – online masterclasses and educational resources (TAFU);
- MFT – Mouse for Tongue – assisted usage of computer and smartphone technologies by people with various types of disabilities.
- Host – Online platform that allows local or international tourists to book extraordinary tour packages (TAFU);
As the “Virtual Story” winner from TAFU Miranda Namicheishvili graduated in 2022 and her costs are not eligible, she is replaced by the next-highest score student Nino Kvirikashvili with the idea Host.
Fablab Favorite – Adrezi – educational and entertaining game to travel in mythological Georgia.
Recommended for further acceleration – Dog Garden – everything in one space – pet hotel, grooming, vet services, etc.
Full report: Report about National Competitions in Georgia
