TBILISI, April 24, 2025 – Visa, the world leader in digital payments, is proud to announce the launch of the pitch contest for women entrepreneurs – She’s Next in Design, in collaboration with the Design Institute, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with the support of the European Union. The new edition of the contest is held within the fifth wave of the She’s Next Empowered by Visa initiative in Georgia.
The grant contest aims to support and empower women entrepreneurs in the creative and digital industries by providing funding, mentorship, and exposure opportunities. The participants can enter the contest in one of the following three categories:
- Digital Creative Design (Interior and Environmental Design, Architectural Visualization, UI & UX Design, Motion Graphics & Animation, AR/VR Experience Design)
- Digital Products (Software & Applications Gaming & Virtual Assets Digital Media & Content Coding & Development Digital Platforms & SaaS)
- Handmade (Clothing & Textiles Jewelry & Accessories Handcrafted Art & Decor Home & Living Personal Accessories)
Each stage of the competition is regulated by predefined rules. To obtain detailed information, each interested applicant must read the contest rules in advance, where detailed information about subcategories, selection criteria, deadlines, and procedures related to the pitching day is available.
In the first stage, an independent jury will review the submitted applications based on the selection criteria defined by the rules and select the TOP 15 female entrepreneurs. According to the competition criteria, the finalists will participate in offline training sessions on brand marketing and pitching techniques.
At the next stage, during the pitch day, the TOP 15 participants are requested to present their business concepts in an offline format. The jury will then select three winners from each category based on predefined criteria (see competition rules).
Each winner will receive a monetary prize of 10,000 GEL to support the development of their business.
The applications for She’s Next in Design will be accepted from April 24 to May 5. Women entrepreneurs interested in participating can apply by filling out an entry form at the link. For more information on the contest and rules of participation, please visit the link.
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About Visa
Visa (NYSE:V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at visa.com.ge.
About EBRD
The EBRD is a multilateral bank that promotes the development of the private sector and entrepreneurial initiative in 36 economies across three continents. The Bank is owned by 75 countries as well as the EU and the EIB. EBRD investments are aimed at making the economies in its regions competitive, well governed, green, inclusive, resilient and integrated. To date, the EBRD has invested close to EUR 6 billion in 309 projects in the financial, corporate, infrastructure, and energy sectors in Georgia. 84% of the cumulative portfolio is attributed to the private sector. Thanks to the financial support of our donors, the EBRD has helped more than 1,500 local firms with business advice. Follow us on the web, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X and YouTube.
About Design Institute
Design Institute is a regional educational and research institution, catering to students and professionals focusing on creativity and design. We are dedicated to serving education. On this journey, we desire to impart valuable knowledge about the design and creative field to numerous young individuals, irrespective of their future professions. These skills act as essential tools, equipping students to tackle contemporary challenges effectively. Our commitment to the field’s development involves the creation of accessible designs and solutions. Striving for sustainability in the design process, we extend support to socially impactful initiatives, vulnerable groups, and startup ideas through the allocation of our resources and knowledge. Our lecturers represent the diverse fields of design, communications, arts, and education. Their individual involvement in the educational process ensures a rich blend of perspectives and experiences within our institution. We strive to make the educational journey both captivating and in alignment with international standards. Every lecture, meeting, course, or master class is a continuation of a broader vision, aiming to provide as many individuals as possible with the opportunity to enter the field and connect with its leading figures. Our lecturers contribute to cultivating a culture of design and creativity in their daily lives, and we believe it is crucial to share this knowledge with a new generation and a broader audience. Currently, the institute consists of about 100 specialists.
