Georgia opens accelerator calls as Turkmenistan’s Startup Academy nears its deadline
The calls cover a yearlong accelerator with grants, regional mentoring in Georgia and a seven-week incubation programme in Turkmenistan.
7 Oct 2026
Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA) announced two application calls on October 6: a yearlong Plug and Play accelerator and a regional programme for people developing startup ideas. In Turkmenistan, Startup Academy issued a reminder the same day that applications for its seven-week incubation programme close on October 8.
The opportunities span different stages of building a business, from exploring an idea with mentors to developing a product and preparing a sales strategy.
Plug and Play opens its next Georgia intake
GITA’s announcement sets out a three-stage programme funded by the agency, with English as the working language. Applications for the second-year intake are open until December 11.
The first two months focus on intensive training and mentoring. A four-month product-development phase follows, during which startups work on creating or refining a minimum viable product and receive a GEL 50,000 grant each.
The final six-month phase focuses on sales strategy for regional and global markets, with a GEL 150,000 grant for each startup at that stage.
A regional route into startup building
GITA has also opened a four-week pre-acceleration programme for residents of Imereti, Guria and Adjara. It is aimed at innovative entrepreneurs and people interested in joining the startup ecosystem.
The agency funds participation. Across eight modules, participants combine theory and practical work with support from experienced mentors. Individual guidance focuses on refining and developing ideas and taking the first steps towards creating a startup.
GITA has already delivered the regional programme in other parts of Georgia this year.
Turkmenistan’s incubation deadline is October 8
Startup Academy’s October 6 reminder invites both first-time founders and people already building a business to apply before the October 8 deadline. Participation is paid.
Over seven weeks, participants work on testing their ideas, understanding their market and target customers, developing a business model and preparing a pitch.
The programme concludes with a Demo Day, where teams present their projects to a jury, investors and an audience.
