Global Tech Weekend Tbilisi 2026: How a Citywide Festival United the Region’s Tech Ecosystem
Global Tech Weekend Tbilisi 2026 brought more than 10,000 attendees, 150 brands, and 200 speakers to Georgia’s capital, turning the city into a platform for technology, culture, startups, investment, and cross-sector collaboration.
THE REVELATION
A tech ecosystem becomes more powerful when it stops organizing itself around one industry or one stage. GTWT's scale matters less than the mix it created: startups, investors, fashion, sport, media, AI, finance and culture occupying the same city and sharing the same social infrastructure. That model suggests a different way regional hubs can compete. They do not need to replicate Silicon Valley sector by sector. They can create density by connecting industries that normally meet separately. In that sense, the city itself becomes part of the product - not just where innovation happens, but the mechanism that helps people, capital and ideas collide.
From June 19-21, Global Tech Weekend Tbilisi 2026 Hosted the Region's Largest Technology Celebration
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:
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.
Stages
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
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julia Upiterskaya
Founder of JULS and REVELATIONS
Julia Upiterskaya is a Dubai-based communications entrepreneur, founder of JULS and REVELATIONS, and an international technology moderator and speaker. With more than 10 years of experience across media, communications and events, she has worked with over 100 companies across emerging technology and innovation. Her current focus spans artificial intelligence, wellness and the technologies reshaping how people live, work and build businesses. Through JULS and REVELATIONS, Julia works at the intersection of strategic communications, founder positioning, technology, culture and global communities.
