Global Tech Weekend opens applications for Ferris wheel startup pitches in Tbilisi

Global Tech Weekend has opened applications for a startup pitching session inside Tbilisi’s Mtatsminda Ferris wheel. The event will take place on December 5, 2026, alongside the launch of the organiser’s 2027 programme at Mtatsminda Hall.

In its November 5 announcement, the organiser said selected founders would have six minutes, the length of one full rotation, to present their businesses directly to international investors. Applications are open to startups worldwide, as well as investors interested in participating.

The format puts the founder and investor together inside a cabin, with the pitch built around a single conversation. Global Tech Weekend CEO Medea Janjghava said the aim is to connect promising startups with investors and support their access to international markets.

The organiser’s registration page says the pitches will be streamed live and a winning startup will be announced at an evening awards ceremony. It provides separate application links for startups and investors, alongside registration for the broader launch event. General attendance requires advance registration and host approval.

After the pitching session, the programme moves to Mtatsminda Hall. The announced agenda includes networking for founders, investors and business leaders, industry conversations, partner activities and the startup awards. The organiser plans to introduce its 2027 concept, international event calendar, expansion plans and new partnerships during the launch.

The December gathering opens the next season for a platform that describes its remit as connecting founders, corporations, investors, governments, universities and creative communities across the Caucasus and Central Asia. Its official website traces its Tbilisi launch to 2025 and organises the wider programme around a flagship gathering and independently run partner events across the city.

For founders considering the December session, the practical starting point is the startup application linked from the event page. Investor participation has its own form, separate from general guest registration. The new format adds a direct founder–investor meeting opportunity to the programme, followed by an evening bringing the wider technology community together in Tbilisi.