KIU and GITA's Summer School for Innovation and Startups Concludes

The GITA and KIU Summer School for Innovation and Startups culminated in a ceremony where the winners were awarded, marking the end of a three-month-long program. This event, held at KIU, brought together the university's rector, Givi Khubua, KIU's chancellor, Thea Imedadze, KIU's University City director, Vakhtang Tsagareli, GITA's chairman, Avtandil Kasradze, mentors, and students.

• The summer school, now in its fourth year, is a collaboration between KIU and GITA.
• This year, the program saw the participation of 40 students, all eager to delve into the world of startups and innovation.

GITA Summer School Curriculum: Equipping Students with Startup Skills

The students embarked on a journey to acquire the essential skills needed to navigate the startup landscape. The program included a comprehensive startup building course, led by entrepreneurs Nikolos Gogochuri and Nikolos Rostomashvili.

• Students sharpened their innovative thinking abilities, honed their ideation skills, and mastered the fundamentals of startup development.
• Their learning extended beyond theory, with practical experiences that empowered them to confidently handle the initial phases of a startup venture.
• Over the course of the summer, they collaborated on their ideas, formed teams, and refined their innovative projects, culminating in final presentations at Demo Day.
• The final stage of the program witnessed the presentation of over 10 projects, showcasing the students' innovative prowess.

VisionARy Takes the Top Prize at GITA's Summer School

Emerging as the champion was VisionARy, an AR-powered, flexible online furniture purchasing platform. The team behind this winning project included Mikheil Ujerashvili, Saba Sakanelidze, Giorgi Gagua, Mariam Kapanadze, and Anri Azrumelashvili. In recognition of their achievement, the team received a special prize from KIU and GITA.

• The GITA and KIU Summer School has consistently nurtured impactful student projects, with previous winners also gaining recognition for their innovations.
• As a testament to their success, the VisionARy team will journey to Portugal to participate in the Web Summit, a global technology conference. This platform will allow them to showcase their project to a wider audience and gain valuable insights into the world of innovation.

GITA and KIU: A Partnership Fostering Innovation

The GITA and KIU partnership, solidified through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2021, is a testament to their commitment to nurturing innovation. This collaboration aims to create a flourishing ecosystem for innovation, with both entities collaborating on various projects.

• Since its inception in 2021, the GITA and KIU Summer School has served as a platform for over 200 students from KIU.
• This initiative has not only fueled the development of numerous startup ideas but also empowered students to apply their newfound knowledge in real-world scenarios.
• Many participants have gone on to establish their own startup ventures, securing funding to further their endeavors.

GITA and KIU's Impact: Shaping the Future of Innovation

The GITA and KIU Summer School stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in fostering innovation. By providing students with the necessary skills and resources, this program is shaping the future of innovation, nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs.

• The program has demonstrably had a positive impact, with students emerging as confident innovators and entrepreneurs, ready to make their mark on the world.
• The GITA and KIU Summer School remains a beacon of innovation, continuing to inspire and equip students to drive technological advancements and shape the future.