Announcement date: July 14, 2026 · 2080 Ventures
On July 1, 2026, we welcomed 40 startups with founders from 11 countries to Tbilisi for the first batch of the GITA Innovative Startup Acceleration Program.
The 12-month accelerator is implemented by 2080 Ventures, Founder Institute, and Startup Büro in partnership with Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA). The first cohort included 23 Georgian and 17 international startups across sectors including fintech, healthtech, education, travel, insurance, and real estate.
The program began with a 10-day bootcamp combining workshops, individual mentorship, and meetings with Georgia’s startup community. Founders worked on customer interviews, value propositions, Jobs-to-be-Done statements, AI-assisted prototyping, and relationship building.
The launch follows the program’s spring application period. It starts a structured journey intended to help founders validate their ideas, build their businesses, and prepare for growth with support from experienced operators and investors.
Inside the opening bootcamp
The opening 10 days combined workshops, individual mentoring and meetings across Georgia’s startup community. Founders worked on customer interviews, value propositions and Jobs-to-be-Done statements, alongside AI-assisted prototyping.
The first batch included 23 Georgian and 17 international startups. Their arrival in Tbilisi created a shared starting point for a longer programme of validation, product development and growth. The Phase 2 announcement below follows their progress.
More from the programme
Explore the organisations
- GITA
- Founder Institute
Related announcements
- GITA Accelerator Advances 25 Startups to Phase 2
- 2080 Ventures Expands in Georgia through Tbilisi
- Caucasus University and 2080 Sign an MOU at Founder Sprint
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