TBC Introduces Georgia’s First Integrated Cash Register POS Terminal

Another step towards simplifying everyday business operations – TBC has launched an entirely new type of POS terminal on the Georgian market.

To support business digitalization, TBC, together with its partner company Transaction Systems, has introduced Georgia’s first integrated cash register POS terminal, designed to make payment management even easier for merchants.

This innovative device is the first in Georgia to connect directly to a merchant’s cash register software and simultaneously process both cash and cashless payments. Until now, accepting cash required merchants to use a separate terminal, which meant additional time and resource costs.

The device complies with the fiscal regulations of Georgia’s Revenue Service, and cash payment data is automatically recorded in the revenue system. As a result, the POS terminal fully replaces the traditional cash register, enabling merchants to perform all daily operations using just one device.

The installation and usage process has been made as simple as possible, giving businesses greater flexibility. Integrated cash register terminals are especially attractive for companies eager to transition to digital technologies.

Mziuri Wins TBC Business Awards 2025: More Than Just a Café

“Mziuri is not just a café,” says founder Ana Goguadze — and the TBC Business Awards 2025 jury agreed, naming it the winner and honoring it with the Special Award for Outstanding Social Responsibility.

For nine years, Mziuri has been more than a place for coffee. It’s a space that welcomes stray animals, champions accessibility for wheelchair users, and promotes environmental responsibility — all while creating a warm, community-driven atmosphere.

This year’s awards saw a record 443 applicants, but Mziuri stood out for its lasting social impact. TBC was the first and largest supporter, donating 50,000 GEL to help bring the café and its adjacent amphitheater back to life after Tbilisi City Hall granted temporary use of the building.

Today, Mziuri’s loyal visitors are its strongest ambassadors, spreading its values and inspiring positive change beyond the park. As Ana says: “When people believe in you, success is already on the way.”

TBC Simplifies Payroll Project Enrollment for Businesses — Now Fully Online via Business Internet Banking

Businesses can now join TBC’s payroll project remotely through Business Internet Banking — eliminating the need for a company representative to visit a bank branch.

With the new functionality in TBC’s Business Internet Banking, companies can enroll in the payroll project within minutes, without additional procedures, activate payroll cards for employees, save time, and streamline their banking experience.

To join the payroll project, simply select the payroll offer from the “Offers” page in Business Internet Banking, fill in the required information, and a TBC representative will contact the company.

“Our customers’ time is extremely valuable. That’s why we constantly strive to offer businesses remote services and products, fully considering their needs and preferences. I am confident that this new service will equally save time for HR managers and executives of both startups and large companies,” said Ia Kalmakhelidze, Captain of TBC’s Payroll Team.

Detailed information about TBC’s payroll project and enrollment process is available here.

TBC Capital Facilitates Major Hospitality Sector Transaction: Silk Road Group Acquires Former Rooms Kokhta Hotel

With the involvement of TBC Capital, one of the largest merger and acquisition deals in Georgia’s hospitality industry has been completed. Silk Road Group has acquired the building of the former Rooms Kokhta hotel in Bakuriani, previously owned by Adjara Group. In this transaction, TBC Capital acted as the seller’s exclusive advisor.

Thanks to the active engagement of TBC Capital’s advisory team, the agreement was finalized in less than two months. The sales process included a business valuation, identification of a buyer, participation in negotiations, and the successful closing of the deal.

Opened in 2019, Rooms Kokhta features 95 hotel rooms. Going forward, property management and development will be handled by Silk Hospitality, a subsidiary of Silk Road Group. The new owners aim to position the hotel as an attractive year-round destination for both local and international visitors.

This transaction marks TBC Capital’s ninth M&A deal. In total, the investment bank has executed transactions worth $350 million across three countries—Georgia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

“TBC has maintained a long-standing strategic partnership with two of the largest companies in Georgia’s hospitality industry. I am pleased that this deal between these two groups was made possible through cooperation with TBC Capital. Our team helps clients identify new opportunities and execute strategic decisions. I am confident that such a successful transaction will encourage further deals in this sector.” — Otar Sharikadze, Director of TBC Capital

“TBC Bank has been a long-time partner of Adjara Group. It is important to us that the bank has trusted our team and vision from the very beginning, supporting us as a financial partner. Adjara Group has worked with TBC Capital since its establishment, resulting in many successful projects, including this agreement. We wish Silk Road Group success in realizing its vision for the hotel and the development of the region.” — Luka Tavzarashvili, CFO, Adjara Group

“We are delighted to have successfully closed this deal with Adjara Group. The Silk Hospitality portfolio has gained another exciting asset. With the acquisition process completed, our team will quickly take over the hotel’s operations. Silk Road Group and its founders have supported mountain skiing and its development for decades. In line with this vision, we will work with renewed energy on the development of both Bakuriani resort and the hotel.” — Nona Oniani, CFO, Silk Road Group

Cosmo – A Georgian Handmade Bag & Accessories Brand Thriving with TBC Business Support

Ten years ago, two university students – Sofi Mukhulishvili and Tamo Aptsiauri – began selling their handmade creations online. Today, Cosmo has grown into one of Georgia’s most distinctive brands of colorful, thematic handmade bags and accessories.

As co-founder Sofiko Mukhulishvili explains, the brand was built entirely on human capital and boundless enthusiasm. A sincere, attentive approach to customers, the tireless work of the Cosmo team, a strategy to remain friendly and approachable, and a constant drive for innovation all paid off — and Cosmo quickly became a favorite in the online space.

“Today, the brand brings together a cosmic team of 80 people, nine stores, and countless ‘Cosmo customers’ both in Georgia and abroad. The true driving force behind our success is our people — those inside and outside of Cosmo,” says Sofiko Mukhulishvili.

In 2018, Cosmo entered a new chapter. Alongside accessories, they launched a leather-and-wood bag collection that incorporated elements of Georgian culture. In 2019, two models from this line – Woodly and Thani – ranked among the Top 10 at the international APLF exhibition in Hong Kong. In 2022, their Chokhcha bag, inspired by traditional chokha patterns, won the “People’s Choice” award at a competition in Dubai.

Cosmo has always highlighted the people who shape Georgia’s identity. One of their most remarkable campaigns, Women from the Market, celebrated female market vendors by dedicating a special day to them — taking their portraits, listening to their stories, creating a magazine, and capturing their everyday lives. The campaign won three awards at Ad Black Sea, including a gold medal in the Integrated Marketing Campaign category.

The brand’s latest initiative, Open Workshop, invites customers to become co-creators. Visitors can design their own bag alongside Cosmo’s artisans — choosing colors, patterns, inscriptions, and leaving their personal touch.

TBC has been a steadfast supporter of each of these ideas. The partnership began from Cosmo’s very first days. At various stages of the company’s technological growth — and especially when funds were needed to purchase raw materials — TBC’s support proved decisive. Thanks to this collaboration, Cosmo’s products reached international markets. For the past two years, the brand has been supplying large batches of handmade items marked Made in Georgia to one of Denmark’s largest retail chains.

Cosmo proves that a bag can speak — telling a story about you, your personality, and your journey. This is Cosmo: human, colorful, and cosmic.

Cinema on the Road: Bringing Georgian Films to Communities with TBC’s Support

The cinematic journey took place – with TBC’s support, contemporary Georgian films toured towns and villages across the country.

Cinema on the Road is an initiative created by independent filmmakers. As part of the project, screenings of films by contemporary Georgian directors were held in 10 different locations throughout Georgia’s regions.

On June 6, the project’s mobile screen was set up in Telavi, marking the start of Georgian cinema’s journey through Kvareli, Lagodekhi, Shalauri, Tsnori, Kutaisi, Poti, Kobuleti, Vani, and Zugdidi.

Audiences met face-to-face with directors such as Ilo Glonti, Giorgi Tavartkiladze, Anka Gujabidze, Uta Beria, Tamta Khalvashi, Melano Sokhadze, Davit Pirtskhalava, and others, engaging in many thought-provoking discussions.

The final screening of the film project will take place on August 10 in Akhaltsikhe, presenting short documentary films by Tako Robakidze, Vajiko Chachkhiani, and Giorgi Gogichaishvili – Creeping Occupation, A Warm Winter Day, 8 Minutes, and 10:45.

The Akhaltsikhe screening will be hosted at the meeting space “Kantora” (30 Grigol Khantsteli Street). Attendance is free, and, as tradition holds, guests will have the opportunity to meet and speak with the filmmakers after the screening.

Strengthening social and cultural life in the regions is one of TBC’s unwavering priorities. This project once again proved how art can bring people closer together, create new opportunities, and deepen shared values.

TBC Supports Georgia’s First AI National Team at the International Olympiad in Beijing

Georgian students are among the winners of the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) — with TBC proudly supporting Georgia’s national team.

Organized by the Georgian Association for Artificial Intelligence (GAIA) and supported by TBC, Georgia presented its national AI team at the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence in Beijing for the first time — and achieved medal success in its debut year.

Temiko Machavariani won a bronze medal, while Anton Ingorokva received an honorary diploma, awarded to participants who score in the top 50% on at least one of the two competition days. The Olympiad brought together nearly 300 participants from over 60 countries. The challenges were prepared by the International Scientific Committee, and Georgia’s team performed strongly in this competitive setting.

The International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence is a global educational competition, launched in 2024, that already unites high school students from over 70 countries who are passionate about AI and data science. It has quickly become one of the most prestigious events in the international student Olympiad system. In 2024, the event was held in Bulgaria, while this year Beijing hosted the competition.

In Georgia, the first National Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence was organized by GAIA with the support of TBC and the Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA). The winners of this national contest went on to form the country’s first AI national team.

The National Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence is an important initiative that fosters a culture of knowledge sharing, supports the development of future professionals, and helps secure Georgia’s place in the global technological ecosystem.

By investing in education, TBC makes learning more accessible and offers technology-focused educational programs to young people who believe that education can help them create their own success stories.