Entrepreneurs here are now working on everything from social dining apps to AI-powered health monitoring, tackling problems that matter globally from Tbilisi.

The six startups in the current EBRD Star Ventures Georgia cohort reflect this evolution. They are working on solutions for social connection, health monitoring, education access, and payment innovation, showing the range of innovation emerging from a country better known for its wine than its technology.

Social connection through food and learning

TasteIt addresses urban isolation by building a platform around shared dining experiences. Users can swipe through dishes, discover restaurants, and organize meals with others. It is designed to encourage face-to-face interaction while also supporting local businesses.

Wenroll lowers barriers to professional development. The platform allows local experts to create and sell masterclasses in their own language, helping busy professionals access quality education through personalized learning paths and live sessions.

Hardware and fintech innovation

CNICK produces smart rings that enable contactless payments, car unlocking, and even Tesla access. The devices do not require charging, offering a new way for people to interact with financial services and everyday access.

IT Solvery operates KURSI.GE, Georgia’s licensed online foreign exchange platform. It allows users to compare and exchange currency digitally at competitive rates, providing a modern alternative to traditional exchange methods.

Health technology and global education with AI tech

BiteriumAI focuses on cardiovascular disease prevention through predictive analytics. Its platform provides healthcare professionals with an AI-powered tool for early detection, while patients use a mobile app that integrates with wearables for tracking and lifestyle guidance.

Kings International digitalizes academic competitions. Its AI-enabled Olympiad platform offers students instant feedback and removes geographical barriers to participation.

Why Georgia works for startups

Georgia ranked 7th globally in the World Bank’s Doing Business. Company registration typically takes one business day for around $37. Under the Estonian-style tax system, profits are taxed only when distributed, not while reinvested.

The Georgia Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA) has invested more than $14 million across 240+ startup projects since 2018, and runs accelerator programs that support hundreds of founders each year.

With a domestic market of just 3.7 million people, Georgian startups are pushed to think internationally from the start.

Building for global reach

This global mindset has already produced success stories like Spribe, whose Aviator game has attracted more than 40 million players worldwide, and Humanode, a biometric blockchain project that raised a $2M seed round before following with public token sales.

The six startups in today’s cohort are following the same pattern. Whether in AI health tech, digital education, or payment hardware, they are designing products with international growth in mind.

This article is part of "Beyond the Valley", an editorial series exploring how founders in emerging Europe and Central Asia are building crucial technology their regions need. From modernizing Soviet-era infrastructure to creating digital services from scratch, we'll show you how local entrepreneurs are solving fundamental challenges. Published monthly by Seedstars, supported by EBRD Star Ventures.