• Registration Open for Grace Hopper Awards by TBC

Registration is now open for the Grace Hopper Awards, presented by TBC in their fourth year to promote women’s participation in technology. Established four years ago through the USAID Economic Security Program, these awards aim to recognize successful women in technology and highlight programs fostering women’s empowerment in the sector.

By 2024, the awards will span five categories:

– Tech Leader

– Discovery in a New Generation

– Distinguished Scientist

– Innovative Tech Product

– Leading Company for Women’s Empowerment

The Tech Leader award honors women in decision-making roles who drive positive societal change through their technological contributions. The Discovery in a New Generation category celebrates young women aged 16 to 26 with exceptional STEM accomplishments and potential for leadership.

Outstanding Scientist recognizes female pioneers in STEM fields, while Innovative Product acknowledges groundbreaking technological solutions developed by women to address business or societal needs. Lastly, the Leading Company for Women’s Empowerment award recognizes organizations championing diversity and gender equality in technology leadership.

Winning companies receive a 10,000 GEL grant to support diversity and inclusion initiatives. To learn about eligibility and participation rules,

visit https://www.techawards.ge/home-1.

Register now to celebrate and support women in technology!

• The spring session at TBC Tech School has commenced.

Texkola, an educational venture by TBC, welcomes 636 high school students from across Georgia to embark on their educational journey this spring. Spanning grades 9 through 12, these students will delve into various realms of digital technologies, equipping themselves with skills pivotal for their future professional endeavors.

From website development and programming to mobile application development, digital marketing, graphic design, photo-videography, and UI/UX design, Texkol participants will immerse themselves in these courses over the next three months.

Established last year in collaboration with Geolab, TBC’s Techschool has already seen over 1,200 graduates hailing from different corners of Georgia.

“In this semester, we’ve taken into consideration the students’ preferences, now extending enrollment to students from grades nine through twelve. Notably, 15% of this session’s participants have previously completed Techschool courses, expanding their horizons by delving into other technological fields this semester. Through a range of educational initiatives, TBC remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing the next generation,” remarks Alexander Makashvili, head of strategic projects at TBC.

TBC, through various initiatives, has consistently prioritized widening access to education. In 2023, championing the new generation, extending support, and advancing education became the cornerstone of TBC’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.

• TBC stands firmly behind the “Cannes Lions 2024” youth festival.

The Cannes Lions International Festival stands as the pinnacle event in the global creative industry.

This year marks the ninth consecutive edition of the “Cannes Lions” youth festival, hosted in Georgia. TBC has championed this event since 2015. This year’s competition has witnessed a record-breaking number of participants. Over 250 teams will vie for top honors across six categories: design, digital, print, marketing, film, and PR. Notably, the PR category makes its debut this year.

Commencing on April 12th, the competition will culminate with the announcement of victors on April 20th. The winning teams will represent Georgia in June at Cannes, pitting their talents against participants from 70 nations worldwide. Thanks to TBC’s support, the awards ceremony will unfold on an illustrious stage, drawing luminaries from the international and local creative spheres to impart their insights.

TBC is committed to broadening horizons for the next generation, providing avenues for diverse professional experiences and the realization of individual potential. Hence, TBC’s backing for such initiatives remains pivotal, fostering the advancement of the creative industry and the cultivation of a culture of innovation.

• The Georgian Championship 2024 is set to receive the backing of TBC

As part of the ongoing collaboration between TBC and the Georgian Ski Federation (GSF), the Georgian Ski Federation will host the pinnacle event of the year: the Georgian Championship in mountain skiing, taking place in Gudauri.

On April 12-13, the championship will unveil the country’s top mountain skiers. Competitors will vie for victory across various age categories: 2010-2011, 2009-2008, and 2007 onwards.

This annual championship stands as the paramount occasion for mountaineers and skiers from Georgia’s highland regions. TBC’s support spans numerous sports initiatives, fostering the growth of the next generation. This project promises to significantly bolster winter sports and tourism in Georgia.

• Embarking on a Series of TBC Concept Meetings

TBC cordially extends an invitation to a series of meetings scheduled for April 13th, 18th, and 27th at the versatile venue of the concept. Spring heralds an ideal epoch, marking a fresh opportunity to initiate transformations. Hence, the prevailing theme for the inaugural series of concept meetings revolves around motivation and self-development.

Esteemed psychologists Natia Panjikidze, Zura Mkheidze, and Tamar Gagoshidze shall grace the concept meetings as speakers, bringing forth their extensive experience and proficiency in this domain. Beyond the lecture sessions, the meeting format encompasses interactive segments, fostering a question-and-answer discourse and open discussions, wherein attendees can delve into topics of personal interest.

Schedule for the April meeting series:

– April 13th | Natia Panjikidze presents “The Art of Making an Impression”

– April 18th | Tamar Gagoshidze discusses “Personal Growth, Overcoming Failure, and Motivation for Development”

– April 27th | Zura Mkheidze delves into “Motivation and Self-Development”

The multifunctional space of the TBC concept epitomizes a haven where patrons can absorb insights from distinguished speakers within a cozy and congenial ambiance. Attendees can anticipate riveting and indispensable information concerning motivation enhancement, the intricacies of impression management, and strategies for personal development. Moreover, anecdotes and practical examples drawn from the speakers’ life experiences promise to enrich the discourse.

Attendance to the concept meetings necessitates prior registration via: https://www.conceptevents.ge

*Please be advised that seating capacity is limited.

Venue: TBC Concept Multifunctional Space, 7 Marjanishvili Street.

• “Georgian Nut Factory” built up in Zugdidi with TBC’s Support

Hazelnut production in Georgia has flourished, especially over the past two to two-and-a-half decades. The western regions of the country boast high-quality and competitive nuts. Compared to orchards, citrus crops, and vineyards, establishing and maintaining a one-hectare hazelnut orchard requires significantly less expenditure, a crucial factor for farmers.

Among Georgia’s regions, Samegrelo stands out for its widespread hazelnut cultivation. In recent years, several nut processing enterprises have sprung up in the region. Three years ago, Irakli Lukava inaugurated a nut processing facility in the village of Kakheti, Zugdidi, with financial backing from TBC business. Presently, the facility processes up to three tons of nuts daily.

Approximately 50 individuals are employed year-round at the “Georgian Hazelnut Enterprise.” While the active hazelnut season spans from August to October, the enterprise operates year-round, processing up to 200 tons of hazelnut kernels annually.

“We export 100% of our processed products, primarily to European countries. We strive to maintain impeccable quality and carve out a niche for Georgian nuts in European markets. Generally, exporting nuts is relatively straightforward, as they are non-perishable with proper storage and processing techniques. Nonetheless, some export-related challenges persist,” remarked Irakli Lukava, the enterprise’s founder.

A few years back, Irakli Lukava and his associate established blueberry plantations in the village of Kolkhida, Zugdidi district. Spanning three hectares, the berry plants received support from preferential agro-credit facilitated by TBC business. While they anticipate a harvest this season, it won’t suffice for exporting the products. This year, the Kolkhida-grown blueberries will be marketed locally. Looking ahead, once the plantations reach full capacity, Georgian blueberries will also find their way to Europe.

• Future Prospects of the Georgian Electricity Market

TBC Capital, in collaboration with key players in the electricity sector, has released a new publication focusing on electricity consumption, generation, price trends, and the future trajectory of the market, alongside factors influencing investment decisions.

Over the past 28 years, significant transformations have shaped Georgia’s electricity market, from the establishment of the Ministry of Heating and Energy in 1996 to the recent introduction of mechanisms promoting power plant construction in 2023.

Between 2015 and 2023, investments totaling $1.2 billion boosted Georgia’s electricity sector, expanding its installed capacity by 549 MW. Notably, 47% of the country’s maximum hydropower potential has been utilized, along with small percentages of wind and solar energy.

Electricity consumption has exhibited a consistent upward trend, with sporadic decreases attributed mainly to large contractors in 2023. Sectors such as metallurgy, manufacturing, crypto industry, water supply, and transportation are the major consumers, though metallurgy and crypto-industry experienced declines due to geopolitical shifts and market exits.

With approximately 4,600 MW of installed capacity, investment slowed after a moratorium on guaranteed power purchase tariffs in 2017. However, a new support mechanism is expected to reignite industry activity.

Hydropower dominates generation, accounting for 74% in 2023, followed by thermal and wind plants. The gap between increases in hydro and thermal generation underscores the growing demand for renewable resources.

Georgia’s energy sector has become less import-dependent, with an increasing share of generation exported. Forecasts predict a 5.1% annual increase in electricity consumption by 2024, driven by economic growth, urbanization, and technological advancements.

Export potential is promising, with opportunities for energy exchange with neighboring countries. The upcoming Black Sea submarine cable project, scheduled for 2029, will bolster Georgia’s connectivity to Europe, enhancing energy security and renewable energy development.

In summary, Georgia’s electricity market shows promise for sustainable growth, driven by economic, technological, and geopolitical factors, with opportunities for further integration into regional and global energy networks.

Sharing insights on the sector’s potential and trends with our partners proved timely. To enhance our country’s energy security and lessen reliance on imported fuels, maximizing renewable resources is imperative. Our support has facilitated the operation of numerous hydroelectric power stations (HPPs), crucial for achieving energy independence. TBC has financed the construction of 42 HPPs across Georgia, totaling 516 MW in installed capacity. Currently, 31 stations are operational, with 11 more underway. Notably, in 2023, our partner HPPs generated 65% of the nation’s electricity. For over 15 years, TBC has been a key financier in the energy sector, pioneering as the first financial institution to forge partnerships in this domain. – Giorgi Tkhelidze, Deputy General Director of TBC.