Creative Business Cup 2017 Pitching

Change has no boundaries, and neither does talent or entrepreneurship. I saw this first hand when I got to join a distinguished panel of judges for the finals of 2017 Creative Business Cup in Tbilisi, Georgia. Creative Business Cup empowers Georgian entrepreneurs in the creative industries (IT, design, games, social and cultural networks) by connecting them to investors and global markets, and strengthening their innovative capabilities.

From over 40 startups 10 teams were selected for the finals. On 15th of June 2017 the CEOs pitched their businesses to CBC panel of judges that included: Saba Kiknadze — CEO and Founding Partner of Georgian Hospitality Group, Gia Bazghadze — Chairman of the Board of Rustaveli/Cavea Cinemas, Esben Emborg — CEO of SEAF Georgia Fund, Grigol Baiburti — Head of Service Department at Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Merab Kutsia — Head of Department at Inventions and Intellectual Property, Sakpatenti).

There were several very interesting and creative projects, but one startup stood out with their idea, pitch and execution: WineTea. Giorgi Bukia— CEO of WineTea described their product as a biohacking drink that combines the positive elements of wines antioxidants like resveratrol, polyphenols and proanthocyanidins with the antioxidants and anti-inflammatories of tea. The drink is from grapes but is completely non-alcoholic.

In addition to the cash prizes WineTea team will get to represent Georgia in the Creative Business Cup Global Finals that will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark on 16 November 2017.

Congratulations to WineTea and all the other participants. Keep working on your projects and pushing those borders!

Thank you everyone in Georgia (especially Saba and Gela) for being such wonderful hosts.

Yrjö Ojasaar
Investment Partner
Change Ventures

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Change Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital fund backing ambitious Baltic founders. We invest primarily in B2B and SaaS technology startups. Find us at changeventures.com.
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