From June 19-21, Global Tech Weekend Tbilisi 2026 Hosted the Region's Largest Technology Celebration
June 19-21, 2026 marked a major milestone for Georgia's technology ecosystem. During these three days, Global Tech Weekend welcomed more than 10,000 attendees from around the world to Tbilisi, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, inspiration, and collaboration across industries.
But this was far from a traditional festival where people gather in a single venue and just watch presentations. Instead, Global Tech Weekend unfolded across multiple locations throughout the city, combining conferences, workshops, networking experiences, and cultural encounters. Alongside professional programming, international guests were able to explore Tbilisi, connect with local communities, and experience the city's unique character firsthand.
The event officially began on Friday, June 19, with a series of workshops, lectures, and private working sessions hosted by partner organizations in coworking spaces, universities, and cultural institutions across the city.
More Than 150 Brands and 200 Speakers Under One Roof
The flagship event took place on June 20 at Factory Tbilisi, where five stages operated throughout the day, hosting speakers from some of the world's most recognizable companies and organizations, including Meta, Fuckup Nights, Monday.com, Dolce & Gabbana, and many others.
"The strength of our movement lies in its diversity. Global Tech Weekend Tbilisi did not limit itself to a narrow technology niche. Instead, it expanded beyond traditional tech and embraced adjacent industries. This was reflected in the diversity of our attendees as well. In our pavilions, you could find Web3 developers and social media influencers alongside sports analysts and fashion commentators. We gave a platform to everyone who had valuable insights from their profession to share with a wider audience. We can confidently say that we managed to unite the region's technology ecosystems on an unprecedented scale, and this is only the beginning." says Mariam Chikadze, Head of Marketing at Global Tech Weekend.
One of the main achievements of the flagship event was its ability to bring together professionals from vastly different industries and create space for new conversations and collaborations. Dedicated networking zones allowed guests to exchange ideas, build relationships, and explore future partnerships in a relaxed environment.
Factory Tbilisi was transformed into a series of thematic pavilions, each hosting its own program and audience. Across the venue, five distinct stages were presented:
Startup Stage
World-Building and Technology Stage
Future Innovations Stage
Global Stage
Theatre Stage
Some sessions demanded deep concentration, diving into highly technical topics and emerging technologies. Others offered a faster pace, particularly on the startup-focused stages, where more than 60 startups pitched their ideas to world-class investors between keynote presentations and panel discussions.
The expo areas added another layer to the experience. Visitors explored art installations, immersive exhibitions, and interactive creative projects throughout the venue. By integrating cultural and artistic experiences into a technology-focused event, GTWT created an environment that appealed not only to innovators and entrepreneurs, but also to audiences seeking inspiration through art and creativity.
More Than 10 Industries United at One Event
Global Tech Weekend Tbilisi brought together experts and organizations from a wide range of sectors:
• Artificial Intelligence & Deep Tech
• Fintech & Banking
• Innovation, Web3 & Blockchain
• Urban Innovation & Architecture
• Gaming & eSports
• Sports
• Creative & Fashion Technologies
• Tourism & Hospitality
• Health Technologies
• Media & Digital Marketing
• Art & Culture
Organizers plan to expand the program even further in future, introducing additional industries and creating an even more comprehensive platform for innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-sector collaboration.
Closing Events and Looking Ahead
The final day of the festival, June 21, offered participants an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and strengthen the connections formed during the previous two days. The program featured informal business meetings, cultural experiences, and the official closing ceremony at Kiketi Farm.
During the ceremony, organizers thanked more than 150 partners for their support and shared their vision for the movement's future, both locally and internationally.
Global Tech Weekend was originally founded in Los Angeles in 2024 and expanded in Tbilisi by 2025. This year's edition marked the second consecutive time the movement has brought together the largest technology gathering in the Caucasus and Central Asia.
To stay up to date with future announcements and upcoming events, follow Global Tech Weekend on its official social media channels: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
Other News
BioChimPharm’s GMP phage production in the global spotlight
29.06.2026.13:08
BioChimPharm has been included in the 2026 report of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which is dedicated to the global problem of antimicrobial resistance and approaches to addressing this crisis.
The excessive and irrational use of antibiotics leads to antimicrobial resistance (when antibiotics become ineffective against bacteria). Today, this problem causes approximately 1.3 million deaths worldwide each year, and by 2050 it is expected to exceed tens of millions if the same trend continues. At present, during this global challenge, bacteriophages (phages) are considered the only available and safe alternative to antibiotics. Unlike antibiotics, phages selectively destroy only harmful bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, without damaging the beneficial microbiota in the human body.
In the report, Phagyo® and the phage-producing company BioChimPharm are identified as making a significant contribution to the fight against antibiotic resistance. The document also highlights Georgia’s potential in the development of phage therapy.
The EBRD report places special emphasis on the modernization of BioChimPharm’s production facility in compliance with international GMP standards, which was implemented in 2023 with the support of the EBRD and other local and international partners. As part of the project, the world’s first phage production facility, founded in 1934, was upgraded and transformed into a high-tech biopharmaceutical manufacturing site compliant with international GMP standards.
According to the report, the modernization of the facility has enabled BioChimPharm to scale up production and further contribute to the development of phage therapy both in Georgia and in international markets.
“For us, as an EBRD partner in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, it is a great honor to receive such recognition for our journey. We are especially pleased that, with the support of the EBRD and our other partners, the world’s first phage production facility, founded in 1934, has been modernized and transformed into an innovative manufacturing site. This gives us the opportunity to bring GMP phages and phage therapy to even more patients and to contribute globally to addressing the challenge of antimicrobial resistance,” said Rati Golijashvii, General Manager of BioChimPharm.