- TBC Launches New Campaign to Support Innovative Startups
“If you can envision it, you can achieve it” is the core message of TBC’s latest campaign aimed at individuals with innovative ideas seeking financial support.
TBC’s new initiative is designed for those with groundbreaking ideas in need of funding to transform them into profitable businesses. This campaign offers loans to innovative startups without requiring property security or extensive experience.
The primary criterion for receiving a loan is the strength of the idea. Since TBC began funding innovative startup ideas a year ago, several startups have already benefited from the program.
“You don’t need extensive business experience to create a successful startup. Success starts with an innovative idea, and our product aims to make it easier for these startups to bring their ideas to life. Don’t be intimidated by the word ‘innovative.’ You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. We’ll select ideas that tackle customer problems from a fresh perspective—whether it’s through a new approach, concept, or technology. These solutions should aim to reduce problem-solving time, simplify processes, or enhance the customer experience. In essence, the ideas we support must address user needs,” says a representative from TBC Startup.
Additionally, the market potential for developing the business idea is crucial. There must be customer demand and a sufficiently large and growing target segment.
The long-term competitive advantage of the idea is equally important. This advantage could be intellectual property, technology, an exclusive partnership, or something else that competitors cannot easily replicate.
Another key advantage is scalability. When developing a startup idea, consider whether it can be expanded and exported.
- TBC Wins “Responsible Large Company of the Year” Award
TBC secured two prestigious awards at the “Meliora 2024” competition, recognizing responsible businesses in Georgia.
TBC won the grand prize in the category of “Responsible Large Company of the Year.” This award acknowledges TBC’s exceptional efforts in addressing environmental, social, and governance challenges for its employees, customers, the environment, and society at large.
As a leading financial institution and one of Georgia’s largest companies, TBC has consistently played a pivotal role in societal development. The company upholds the highest standards of social responsibility and sustainable development, driven by strong ethical principles and a robust internal culture. TBC significantly impacts Georgia’s financial, economic, and social growth.
TBC also received an award for “Transparency and Reporting on Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Issues” for its “Sustainable Development Report of 2022.” Since 2019, TBC has published an annual sustainable development report, providing stakeholders with factual information about its social, economic, and environmental impacts. The first report was prepared with the help of an external consultant, and since 2020, TBC’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Department has taken on this responsibility, adhering to Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards.
This marks the second time TBC has won the award for “Transparency and Reporting on Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Issues.” The first win was at the Meliora 2022 awards for the “Sustainable Development Report 2021.”
Additionally, TBC’s projects were finalists in two other categories, earning recognition certificates. The “TBS X USAID for Technological Education” project was highlighted in the “Community Support” category, and the collaboration between TBC and the “Polyvim” company for plastic waste collection and recycling was noted in the “Green Initiative” category.
The “Georgian Responsible Business Competition – Meliora” annually recognizes exemplary large and small/medium companies in Georgia for their corporate social responsibility projects. TBC has been a frequent winner, receiving various category awards in 2018, 2019, and 2022.
The event was organized by the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) as part of the “Civil Society Initiative” project, funded by the European Union (EU) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS).
- Special Summer Offer: TBC Leasing and Scoot Scoot’s Exclusive Vespa Promotion
As part of TBC Leasing and Scoot Scoot’s summer promotion, purchasing your desired Vespa comes with exclusive gifts: a 300 GEL Giggles voucher for Izipizi glasses, a helmet, or gloves from the Italian premium brand Tucano Urbano. This offer is valid until September 1.
For over 70 years, Vespa has been the world’s first scooter, embodying a spontaneous and free lifestyle. Its standout features include:
– Vibrant Colors: Vespa’s sharp and vivid colors, achieved through Italian three-level coloring technology, ensure you stand out.
– Full Metal Body: Unlike other scooters and mopeds that use multiple plastic parts, Vespa’s single full metal body guarantees lasting strength.
– Superior Braking and Suspension: Vespa offers the best braking and suspension system, providing a smooth and comfortable ride.
Izipizi, founded in 2010 by three friends, creates eyewear for special moments in life. Their colorful models, made from biodegradable high-quality polycarbonate, are designed for the entire family and are inspired by nature’s hues to elevate moods. Since 2017, Giggles has been the official distributor of Izipizi in Georgia.
“With the seasonal rise in demand for financing two-wheeled vehicles, we wanted to further incentivize our customers. Our campaign, in collaboration with Scoot Scoot, includes essential items like a gift voucher for Izipizi glasses and durable helmets or gloves from Tucano Urbano. We hope many will benefit from this offer,” said Ekaterine Anjaparidze, Head of TBC Leasing Automotive.
“Scoot Scoot entered the Georgian market in 2016 as a scooter rental service. Due to high demand, we introduced Vespa and Honda within a year and opened our first store in 2019. We believe that two-wheeled transportation is the future, offering an easy way to travel. Partnering with TBC Leasing, we aim to further encourage customers considering a Vespa purchase,” added Tamu Tskhadadze, representative of Scoot Scoot.
TBC Unveils New Transport Offers for the Next Generation
TBC is introducing special offers for the younger generation in various cities across Georgia, including free municipal transport for schoolchildren and half-price fares for students.
Following the implementation in Telavi, Kutaisi, Mtskheta, Poti, and Bakuriani, students from both private and public schools in Akhaltsikhe can now enjoy free rides on municipal transport when using a TBC student card.
This offer extends to students as well. In addition to the Telavi, Kutaisi, Mtskheta, and Dmanisi-Tbilisi routes, higher and vocational education students in Akhaltsikhe can now travel at half price on municipal transport with a TBC student card.
To benefit from TBC’s offer, students need to obtain a card in the city where the discount is available. The offer applies to both Visa and Mastercard cards, with the discount being automatically activated within two working days of receiving the card.
It is important to note that the offer is valid only for TBC student and physical cards; payments made with Apple Pay or Google Pay are not eligible for the discount. For more detailed information, click here.
Supporting the new generation and simplifying their daily lives is a priority for TBC, which continually creates tailored products, services, and offers for them.
- TBC TechXplore Event Showcases Innovative Projects and Skills
Under the “TBC x USAID for Technological Education” initiative, TBC, in collaboration with USAID, hosted TechXplore—a unique technology event held at the Kakha Bendukidze Campus. This event aimed to provide participants with hands-on experience in multifunctional teams, showcasing and applying the knowledge gained from the project, and enhancing their communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills.
For four days, teams consisting of participants with diverse technological expertise, guided by mentors and agile coaches, developed technical solutions for specific projects. On the final day, teams presented their innovative tech ideas and projects. The winners were awarded 15,000 GEL in shares from international technology companies like Microsoft and Nvidia.
– 1st Place: The team with the Firewall project “Claimsmart.” Claimsmart generates a smart contract for insurance agreements, providing automatic compensation for insurance claims.
– 2nd Place: Team CTRL C, which presented “E-learn,” an accessible educational platform tailored for both companies and independent educators and learners.
– TBC Investments’ Favorite: Team FUTURISIERS with “Investify Kids,” an investment-learning platform designed for school students, using simulated investment games to enhance financial literacy and investment skills in a fun, interactive way.
– TBC Tech’s Choice: The “6th Element” team, awarded for creating the most technologically advanced product. Additionally, one of the Techlids selected their preferred team and committed to supporting the development and market launch of their MVP.
Approximately 150 participants from the “TBC X USAID – for Technological Education” project, along with field technicians, mentors, and Agile coaches, took part in the event. TechXplore also featured mentors from TBC and partner companies such as Space International, Specter, and TEGETA Holding, who provided additional gifts to the winners.
- TBC Concept’s Exciting Summer Offers in Batumi
This year marks the 17th Black Sea Jazz Festival in Batumi, with TBC Concept continuing its tradition of loyal support. As always, TBC Concept has curated special summer offers for its customers.
To ensure a vibrant and engaging summer experience during the Jazz Festival, TBC Concept has meticulously planned every detail.
Travel from Tbilisi to Batumi: From July 26-29, travel by train from Tbilisi to Batumi and enjoy a 15% cashback on tickets purchased with the TBC Concept Visa card on TRE.GE. Additionally, on July 26, guests of the Jazz Festival can travel on the Jazz Train from Tbilisi to Batumi for free, thanks to the support of Visa and Georgian Railways. Registration (ჯაზ მატარებელი | TKT.GE) is required.
Transport from the Railway Station to the Hotel: From July 26-28, enjoy a 20% discount on Bolt taxi rides when you use your TBC Concept Visa card.
Hotel Selection: Explore the TBC Concept vacation category to find hotels with discounts ranging from 15% to 30%. The TBC Concept assistant is available to help with your selection.
Cafes and Restaurants: From July 23 to August 4, get 30% cashback (up to 100 GEL) at selected cafes and restaurants when you use your TBC Concept Mastercard. Participating establishments include breakfast spots like Lemon and Blu Elephant, lunch and dinner venues such as Panorama, Acropolis, Leville, UMAMI, Medea, and Botanico, and dessert and coffee places like SKA, Meama Collect, and Luca Polare.
Pool and Relaxation: Enjoy a 30% discount at the ROOMS Batumi terrace and pool with your TBC Concept Visa card. Throughout the season, ROOMS Batumi, Visa, and TBC Concept will host a series of summer Day Parties featuring artists like Tobako Tween, Baby Leo, Kipo, and Lukacho. Day Party tickets are also available at a 30% discount with the TBC Concept Visa card.
Evening Entertainment: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Iveria Beach, get 30% cashback (up to 100 GEL) on entry fees with your TBC Concept Mastercard debit card. Iveria Beach will host special events every Saturday until the end of the season, featuring top artists from the international and local electronic music scene.
For more detailed information on TBC Concept offers, visit the link (შეთავაზებები | TBC Concept) provided.
- Quality Takes Center Stage at TBC Partner, Win Way Linen and Textile Cleaning Company
The hotel industry in Georgia is one of the fastest-growing sectors, with up to 5 million foreign and local visitors using the country’s 3,000 hotels and similar establishments annually. As the hotel industry expands, businesses associated with it, such as laundry and dry cleaning services, also see rapid growth. High-quality, efficient laundry and dry cleaning services are crucial for the seamless operation of hotels.
Win Way, a newly established company, offers specialized linen and textile cleaning services to hotels. Despite being a fresh entrant, its founders, Ekaterine Devdariani and Nana Katsadze, bring a wealth of business experience to the table.
“I am a lawyer by profession, managing multiple businesses, including shipping and real estate. Nana, an economist, also oversees several businesses. Our interest in the hotel sector was sparked by a friend who owns the Holiday Inn hotel in Kakheti. He suggested we start a company to address the lack of such services in the region. We found the idea appealing and immediately began researching the market,” explained Ekaterine.
Win Way quickly acquired Turkish-made industrial equipment, including washers, dryers, dry cleaners, irons, and auxiliary tools. “We needed a bank loan to purchase these machines. Initially, I was skeptical about TBC Bank, but my perspective changed after learning about their business loans. The collaboration with TBC has been fantastic, thanks to their excellent team and expert advice,” Ekaterine shared.
The company’s monthly output will be 30 tons, targeting medium and large hotels. Servicing smaller hotels with fewer than 40 rooms is not financially viable due to scale limitations. While initially planning to serve only the Kakheti region, Win Way decided to base their operations in Tbilisi for easier access to both Tbilisi and Kakheti.
Establishing Win Way was not without challenges. “The business needed additional capitalization and technical solutions, causing some delays. We required various transportation means, including both small and large capacity vehicles for different hotel sizes. There are still more accessories to acquire, but we are progressing,” Ekaterine noted.
In an industry where large companies often sacrifice quality due to high turnover, Win Way distinguishes itself by prioritizing quality. The company’s startup scale is key to maintaining high standards, providing them with a competitive edge.
- TBC Tech School: Easy Learning and Creation
TBC’s Tech School is an innovative educational initiative designed to engage high school students with technology. At Tech School, students from grades 9 through 12 gain hands-on experience, develop new skills, and explore their interests in various digital fields. The goal of TBC’s fully funded Tech School is to spark the interest of the younger generation in modern careers and equip them with valuable knowledge for future job opportunities or career growth.
Students from across Georgia delve into diverse areas of digital technology, including website development, mobile app creation, digital marketing, graphic design, photo-videography, and UI/UX design. The curriculum also covers essential digital literacy, with lectures by Marika Sikharulidze, a digital citizenship specialist from the USAID Civic Education Program.
Since its inception, Tech School has partnered with GeoLab and enrolled over 1,800 participants. Remarkably, 15% of students in the spring cohort had previously completed various courses at Tech School and are now advancing their skills.
“I took a graphic design course at Tech School. Applying what I learned, I now create my own works,” shares Sesilia Muladze. Similarly, Dachi Mekvabidze notes, “The technology basics course helped me discover my future profession. Later, I studied graphic design and web development, which I apply in my daily life.”
TBC remains committed to supporting the younger generation. Starting in September, Tech School will reopen admissions for senior students, continuing its mission to foster talent and innovation.
- TBC Uzbekistan Invests $38.2 Million to Enhance Financial Offerings and Expand Mobile Banking
TBC Bank Uzbekistan, the only exclusively mobile app-based bank in Uzbekistan and part of the London-listed TBC Bank Group, has allocated $38.2 million in new capital to broaden its financial product range. This investment will enable the bank to extend its local operations and introduce innovative financial services, as reported by TechCrunch.
Of the total capital, TBC Bank Group has contributed $23 million, with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank, each contributing $7.6 million.
Before TBC’s arrival, Uzbekistan lacked banking applications. Over the past four years, many banks have since adopted mobile apps, but TBC remains a leader in this sector.
In addition to launching new financial products, TBC Bank Uzbekistan plans to integrate AI technology into its mobile platform. This includes a large language model that leverages customer data and employs a voice assistant to deliver banking services via an integrated chatbot.
Oliver Hughes, Head of International Business at TBC Group, shared with TechCrunch that the new funding will support the introduction of credit cards and insurance products in the coming year.
The mobile application offered by TBC Bank allows customers to manage their accounts, obtain cash loans, and make deposits, eliminating the need for physical branch visits.
TBC Group Uzbekistan also owns Payme, a digital payment app for individual users and small businesses, and a credit service called Payme Nasiya. The integration of these services with the bank’s operations is planned to enhance coverage and functionality.
By the end of 2022, TBC Bank Uzbekistan had not recorded any losses, and 2023 marked its first profitable year. As of March 2024, the bank has 4.8 million unique registered users, with 1.2 million active users in the first quarter of 2024.
TBC Group Uzbekistan, which boasts a total of 15 million registered users, achieved profitability two years after its inception and saw an 85% revenue increase in the first quarter of this year.
- TBC Named Best Digital Bank in Georgia by Euromoney
Euromoney, the premier global banking and financial publication, has recognized TBC as the leading digital bank in Georgia. This accolade highlights TBC’s excellence in delivering fast, efficient, and user-friendly digital banking services.
Over the past year, TBC has introduced several innovations to its Mobilebank platform. Notable enhancements include a faster consumer loan approval and disbursement process, new transaction distribution features, an upgraded investment platform, instant transfers from other banks, and a revamped loyalty program.
Vakhtang Butskhrikidze, General Director of TBC, expressed pride in this recognition: “Being named the best digital bank in Georgia by Euromoney is a significant honor for our team. We prioritize creating the best digital service experience for our users, and this award reaffirms that our efforts align with TBC’s mission to simplify people’s lives.”
TBC’s advancements have markedly improved the speed and accessibility of mobile banking services. This commitment to enhancing user experience has bolstered TBC’s position as the foremost digital bank in Georgia.
