April 2023

500 Georgia

Georgia's first international accelerator program, designed to promote entrepreneurship, help develop the tech ecosystem, connect with international networks, and help participating companies with their fundraising. A partnership between 500 Global, Georgia's Innovation & Technology Agency (GITA), and Bank of Georgia.

Applications for the 500 Georgia Accelerator, an investment program are currently closed. Please join our waitlist and we will notify you when applications open.
Join our waitlist

The program offers founders:

Mentorship and programming

Dedicated mentorship and programming for 12 weeks from 500 Global mentors.

Equity investment

Equity investment for selected startups from 500 Global.

Global network access

Access to 500’s global network of founders, community events, partners and more.

  • Program

  • Partners

  • Startups

Program Overview

Here's what you can expect

We’re looking for startups who:

  • Offer a technology-enabled solution
  • Are solving a problem for a specific target customer
  • Have a capital-efficient business
  • Have potential to address global markets
  • Have a functional prototype with early traction
  • Have a cross-functional team with deep understanding of the market
  • Offer a unique solution or unique application in a regional setting
  • Have a defensible position (IP; network effects; domain or region expertise)
  • Are highly scalable (via digital distribution or ability to scale sales)
  • Have clear monetization strategies
  • VC backable

  • Week 1-2

    Foundations of Growth

    2-week intensive programming focused on customer development, growth marketing, and other business foundations with daily lectures and office hours. This portion of the program will be held in Tbilisi.

  • Week 3-10

    Growth Weeks

    8-week remote period for startups to run experiments focused on growing key metrics needed to reach scale and fundraise. During this phase, startups check in weekly with their assigned mentors as well as others mentors from the 500 broader network, for feedback and guidance.

  • Week 11-12

    Fundraising

    2-weeks focused on fundraising strategy and preparing to pitch in different settings including for our Demo Day. This will be done with daily lectures and office hours in-person held in Tbilisi.

  • Week 13

    Demo Day

    Each cohort will be ended with Demo Day organized locally in Tbilisi. The event will connect the startups with investors and partners to support their fundraising and business development efforts.

  • Week >20

    International Immersion

    Startups will be given an opportunity to spend 2 weeks in a foreign startup ecosystem for an immersion experience focused on elevating global mindset and helping prepare for cross-border expansion.

Batch 4 Timeline

  • April 10, 2023 - April 21, 2023

    Phase 1 - Foundations of Growth

  • April 24, 2023 - June 16, 2023

    Phase 2 - Growth Weeks

  • June 19, 2023 - June 30, 2023

    Phase 3 - Fundraising

  • June 29, 2023

    Demo Day

Batch 5 Timeline

  • September 18, 2023 - September 29, 2023

    Phase 1 - Foundations of Growth

  • October 2, 2023 - November 24, 2023

    Phase 2 - Growth Weeks

  • November 27, 2023 - December 8, 2023

    Phase 3 - Fundraising

  • December 11, 2023

    Demo Day

Frequently Asked Questions

Get in touch at 500georgia@500.co for any unanswered questions.

How does the application process work?

Once you submit your application, our team will review and reach out to the top applicants for an initial phone screening. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a final interview.

What are the criteria to apply?
Our startup is not registered in Georgia. Is it necessary to register my company in Georgia?
What are the expectations of the program participants?
How does this program differ from other 500 programs?
Is there an investment component to the program?
My company's most recent valuation may already be too high for the program. Should I apply?
Is the investment an equity investment or a convertible note?
Is accommodation provided as a part of the program?
What happens after the program?
Are there any industry preferences for startups?
How much turnover should startups have?
Will the process take place in Georgia or online?
Will startups have access to 500's network (investors, accelerator graduates, mentors, etc)?
Which are some of the top companies in 500's portfolio?
We have an on-demand platform which we haven't launched yet. Can we still apply?
What does "early traction" mean as a criteria?
Can an MVP product be early traction?
Can we participate in the program while still working full-time and running our business at the same time?
Do I need to have a tech team to qualify?
If we were not accepted, can we apply again?
Do we need a visa to Georgia?
Where can I find more info?

Watch a founder's perspective

Listen to our Q&A session with founders.

Watch

Disclaimer

THIS WEBSITE IS UPDATED AS OF AUGUST 2022. THIS PROGRAM IS OPERATED BY 500 STARTUPS INCUBATOR, L.L.C. (TOGETHER WITH ITS AFFILIATES, “500 GLOBAL”) AND THE FUNDS ADVISED BY 500 GLOBAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY, L.L.C. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY REVENUE GENERATED BY THESE ACTIVITIES. SUCH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY CONTENT PROVIDED AS PART OF ANY SUCH PROGRAMS, SERVICES OR EVENTS BE CONSTRUED AS INVESTMENT, LEGAL, TAX OR ACCOUNTING ADVICE BY 500 GLOBAL OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES. THIS WEBSITE IS INTENDED SOLELY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING 500 GLOBAL AND THE STATED PROGRAM. ALL CONTENT PROVIDED IN THIS WEBSITE IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. 500 GLOBAL MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AS TO THE ACCURACY OR INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS WEBSITE AND WHILE 500 GLOBAL HAS TAKEN REASONABLE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS WEBSITE IS ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE, NO LIABILITY CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY ERROR OR OMISSIONS. PARTICIPATION IN THE ACCELERATOR DOES NOT GUARANTEE INVESTMENT BY A 500 GLOBAL FUND AND ALL INVESTMENTS IN PARTICIPANTS ARE SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF DILIGENCE AND INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS OF THE RELEVANT FUND. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY INFORMATION OR CONTENT IN THIS WEBSITE, BE CONSIDERED AS AN OFFER TO SELL OR SOLICITATION OF INTEREST TO PURCHASE ANY SECURITIES ADVISED BY 500 GLOBAL OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES. FURTHER, NO CONTENT OR INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS WEBSITE IS OR IS INTENDED AS AN OFFER TO PROVIDE ANY INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OR FINANCIAL ADVICE BY 500 GLOBAL. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANYTHING HEREIN BE CONSTRUED AS FUND MARKETING MATERIALS BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS CONSIDERING AN INVESTMENT INTO ANY 500 GLOBAL INVESTMENT FUND.