Tbilisi is becoming one of the best places to build a startup, but most of the early-stage entrepreneurs we speak to aren't aware of the local tech resources that are available to help them.
With applications for the Tbilisi Founder Institute now open, we're excited to release the Tbilisi Startup Resource Guide, which is currently in Draft v1 below! It was developed by the Tbilisi Founder Institute and local leaders: Admin Eastern-Europe (Administrative Profile, Founder Institute), Admin Eastern Europe (Founder Institute Eastern Europe), Alex M. Dascalu (Lead Director, Founder Institute Eastern Europe), Ivan Germanov (Regional Success Manager, Founder Institute), Ivaylo Ivanov (Director, Founder Institute Eastern Europe), Maria Mihes (Advisor, Start-ups)
This is just a draft, and while we spent many hours on this research, more input is needed. Please leave your comments on this collaborative Google document to help us complete the list. There are definitely omissions on this current version.
Are you looking to build a startup in Georgia? Then apply to the Georgia Founder Institute today!
Startup Stages
There is no one right way to build a technology company, but for the sake of simplicity we have outlined a basic, common, sequential framework.
1. Idea Stage
This is where new entrepreneurs get inspired, learn best practices, develop skills, validate ideas, and begin to build their team and product.
A. Inspire
- Tbilisi Startup Media: Centralized local information, listings, and news. (i.e. startup blogs/ publications/ lists/ FB groups/ newsletters)
- Inspirational Tbilisi Startup Events: Open, inclusive startup events that often focus on ideation. (i.e. Startup Weekend, idea fairs, and inspirational meetups)
B. Educate
- Best Practices: Beginner knowledge-sharing tech events. (i.e. beginner events that serve to educate more than inspire).
- Training & Feedback: Skill & Idea development events and startup bootcamps for entrepeneurs. (Includes comprehensive training programs, like Founder Institute, General Assembly, Lean Startup Machine, code camps, etc)
- AltexSoft Bootcamp
- AWS User Group Tbilisi
- BTU Entrepreneurship Center
- Business Professionals Network Programme
- Data Science Tbilisi
- Developers.Institute
- Founder Institute
- GDG Tbilisi
- Global Startup Foundation
- Hyperledger Tbilisi
- ManageEngine Georgia
- MIT Global Startup Labs Tbilisi
- ProductTank Tbilisi
- Quantori IT Events Georgia
- Startup Büro
- Startup Georgia
- Tbilisi Artificial Intelligence Meetup
- Tbilisi Software Developers and UX/UI Designers Meetup
C. Validate
- Team Formation: Events for Finding Co-founders in Tbilisi. (i.e. tech networking events or other resources that facilitate early-stage recruitment and cofounder matching)
- Build First Product: Hackathons & product events in Tbilisi.
2. Launch Stage
In this stage, entrepreneurs establish and formalize the company, develop the product, get feedback from customers, and prepare for the next step.
A. Start
- Establish: Tbilisi law firms & banks for startups
- Tbilisi Workspaces: Co-working and flexible workspaces for startups in Tbilisi.
B. Develop
- Formalize: Tbilisi accounting, development and HR tools for early-stage startups.
- Tbilisi Incubators: Groups that prepare companies for seed investment and provide advanced mentorship. (i.e. advanced knowledge sharing, later stage events and resources)
C. Launch
- Tbilisi Seed Accelerators: Seed funding mentor programs (Techstars-style programs that provide funding)
- Pitch & Demo Events: Tech events that showcase Tbilisi startups for investment.
3. Growth Stage
Here, a startup proves their utility, receives recognition, and scales up. This usually requires funding, angels, VCs, and ways to connect them to startups.
A. Recognition
- Tbilisi Investor Networking: Events and groups that connect professional investors with founders.
- Major Media: Mainstream local business press that often showcase local startups.
B. Funding
- Tbilisi Angel Investors: Seed-stage investors and micro-vcs.
- Tbilisi Venture Capitalists: Series A and beyond
C. Growth
- Infrastructure: Office space, HR, local business insurance. (i.e. office space/ HR/ insurance providers for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)
- Expansion: Tbilisi Growth accelerators and consultants. (i.e. programs and business consultants for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)
4. Tbilisi Startup Success Stories
Successful homegrown companies that have raised significant institutional funding, employ a large workforce, or have achieved liquidity.
- AQUIX
- CITYPAY.IO
- echolize
- Giffer
- Kernel
- Kvalifika
- Lingwing
- Memogram
- OMOFOX
- Optio.Ai
- PAYZE
- Stack
- TKT.GE
- Vobi
Supporters
To facilitate the steps, every ecosystem needs strong supporters.
1. Tbilisi Startup Leaders
Successful local founders who lead the ecosystem & frequently mentor newbies.
2. Tbilisi Government Startup Resources
Public organizations that facilitate local economic development
3. Talent
Major local business or tech universities and employers that attract and retain local talent.
- Local Tbilisi Tech Universities (universities with prominent technical or business programs)
Learn more about the Startup Ecosystem Canvas here, and leave us your thoughts on the Tbilisi Canvas on this collaborative Google document (This is just a draft, and more input is needed!)
