Tech Park to Support New Ideas
The First Technology Park (Tech Park), which recently opened in Tbilisi, will provide young creators with high quality equipment and the ability to turn their ideas into reality. The new facility is also expected to create a big impulse amongst civilians to develop small and medium-sized enterprises and positively affect the country’s economy as a whole.
According to Tech Park representatives, this project was created especially for those who had no possibilities to realize their ideas or contact with potential investors. “Anyone can come to Tech Park with an idea and get a free expert consultation. We will support the implementation of the project, not only with technology and equipment assessment, but also by providing training, consultation with our foreign partners, and even conduct learning courses,” said Irakli Kashibadze, Chairman of the Innovation and Technology Agency.
The facility was built on an area spanning 18,000m2 in Okrokhana, in Tbilisi’s recreation area near Mtatsminda Park. Tech Park provides resources for start-ups and is equipped with small incubators, learning centers and laboratories, a library, as well as large offices for companies. It also includes co-working spaces, training centers, showrooms, conference rooms and a recreational space.
Georgian innovators who have already made some achievements in the technology field positively evaluated the creation of such a center and noted that in future it could become a space for joint projects with other start-ups as well as a communication platform for foreign companies.
Tech Park will play an important role in the creation of new companies, current business development, commercialization of innovations and creation of high-paid jobs. It also gives Georgia an opportunity to create local branches of international companies and attract foreign investment.
Another major advantage of Tech Park is access to world brand high technology equipment. Intel, Samsung, HP and the equipment of other well-known brands allows the testing of products which will be produced in the center.
“The Park’s facilities provide an opportunity for young people to go beyond the borders of their ideas. When there is a chance to use the latest equipment and technology, you can reach a completely different level,” said Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Dimitri Kumsishvili. “The potential of our young people is very high and we hope many interesting projects will be launched here that help to develop not only small businesses, but large ones as well.”
Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili opened the Technology Park in Tbilisi on January 11 and noted that economic growth is impossible without the development of Information Technology.
“Within the next few days I want to arrange the first meeting in Tech Park with young people who have innovative ideas. I am sure we will find lots of interesting ideas and make significant changes in our country,” PM Kvirikashvili said.
The idea of building the Technology Park in Tbilisi belonged to former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. This is a USD 5 million project, which was started at the beginning of 2015 and completed one year later. The project itself was carried out by the Innovation and Technology Agency of the Ministry of Economy.
Eka Karsaulidze