Meet the Mentors of the 5th Batch of Caucasus University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center’s Startup Pre-Acceleration Program  CUnicorn! 

Startup Pre-Acceleration Program CUnicorn, organized by  Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Caucasus University, brings together early-stage startup teams working on innovative, technology-driven ideas, helping them transform their concepts into real, scalable businesses through hands-on mentorship.

As part of the 5th batch, mentors work closely with participant startups both in group sessions and through individual coaching. Over the course of ten weeks, they lead thematic sessions covering essential topics such as technology, marketing, finance, product development, and business growth strategies.

CUnicorn mentors include:

• Successful entrepreneurs;
• Angel investors;
• Experts in digital transformation and innovation;
• Experienced startup accelerator mentors;
• Corporate leaders.

Individual mentoring sessions are further supported by Angel Investors of Axel – Georgian Business Angel  Network and its Investment board members, who bring practical insights and tailored advice based on each startup’s specific needs.

Pre-Acceleration Program  CUnicorn promotes the development of innovative and tech-based ideas and fosters a practical, growth-oriented environment for students, alumni, academic, and administrative staff of Caucasus University.

The program will culminate in a Demo Day on July 8, where the 7 participating teams will pitch their startup ideas in front of a broad audience, including potential partners and investors.

The General Sponsor of the 5th batch of the Pre-Acceleration Program is Baumer.

• Irakli Svanidze

Acting Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, and Invited lecturer at Caucasus University. Co-founder and COO of a tourist company - "Indigo Holidays Georgia". Leveraging over seven years of experience, he has provided mentorship to startup teams in the areas of marketing, management, and startup finance.

• Iro Tsagareishvili

Iro has over 7 years of experience working in the Georgian startup ecosystem, as well as in project management and strategic communications.

She is the Managing Director of Axel (Georgia's Angel Investor Network), where several startups have the opportunity to pitch to investors and secure funding every month.

Iro’s role includes communication with Axel’s member investors, sourcing and selecting startups, and managing the investment processes within Axel.

She also has experience in organizing startup events, delivering training, and mentoring — including pre-acceleration and acceleration programs, bootcamps, startup training, and more.

• Sandro Kandelaki

Sandro is the co-founder of Student Hunt, a discount and deals app featuring exclusive offers from popular brands specifically for students.
For over two years, he has been leading the Digital Transformation division at Terabank.

Sandro has extensive experience in the field of innovation and startup support. This includes his role as a visiting lecturer at Ilia State University and his involvement in managing various programs, such as the “Zoomout” pre-acceleration program.

He also has experience speaking at international seminars and has participated in TEDx events.

• Mari Davitashvili

Invited Lecturer at Caucasus University, Trainer at CU Training Center. The founder of “Mygallery”, a platform for buying and selling art in Georgia. The finalist of the YTILI (The Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative) fellowship program 2023.

• Giorgi Razmadze

Giorgi Razmadze - Entrepreneur. Co-founder and CEO of Awork. 7+ years of experience in technology, finance, product, and business development.

• Giorgi Chugoshvili

A seasoned professional with extensive experience in business analysis, finance, and startup management.
He is the co-founder of several startups, including amadeo.ge and Phubber.

He has served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Anaklia City JSC and was also the Head of Business Analysis at Anaklia Development Consortium LLC.

• Iako Jikia

An entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of Helio.AI — an AI-based recruiting platform supported by 500 Global.
Iako has many years of experience in the technology and financial sectors, focusing on startup and business development.

She also has extensive experience in business development, having worked at United Payment, Lin&Me (as founder and CEO), as well as serving as a board member and leader at OPPA and PayBox.

• Zura Kvinikadze

A digital marketing specialist with over 6 years of experience working in leading Georgian and international companies.
From 2022 to 2025, Zura was the Head of Digital Marketing at Bank of Georgia, where he was responsible for developing and implementing the brand’s digital strategies, managing teams, and advancing the marketing technology systems.

Zura is also a visiting lecturer at Caucasus University, teaching digital marketing and e-commerce. His professional career includes experience working at companies such as Spotcoin, Geocell, and EBG.

• Ketevan khuntsaria

Ketevan Khuntsaria is a member of Axel’s Investment Board and is actively involved in the startup screening and investment decision-making processes. In addition to her work with tech startups and angel investments, she brings significant experience from leading automotive brands, including Porsche, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, and others.

Ketevan’s expertise, knowledge, and analytical skills not only support startups in securing investment opportunities but also contribute to their strategic development and growth.

• Tengiz Limitashvili

Experienced economist and business consultant with 20 years of professional experience. TBSC Consulting, based in Georgia, specializes in economic, policy, and business consulting. Tengiz Lomtishvili also leads the Policy Research Committee of the European Business Association (EBA). Over the years, he has actively mentored startups in Georgia and has participated in various mentorship programs, including Social Impact Award Georgia, Impact Hub Accelerator, Seedstars Tbilisi, and others.

• Davit Tsitskishvili

Davit Tsitskishvili is an active member of Georgia’s startup and investment ecosystem, with diverse experience spanning angel investments, mentoring startups and businesses, operations management in the IT sector, as well as the real estate and media platform industries.

Davit is an angel investor at Axel and serves as a mentor for Axel’s portfolio startups, JumpStart, UN Women, and the Caucasus University CUnicorn pre-acceleration program, where he shares his extensive knowledge and experience with early-stage entrepreneurs.

• Ia Tsulaia

Ia Tsulaia has carried out over 100 consulting projects both in Georgia and abroad for public and private organizations. She serves as an expert for various programs of the European Union, the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations, USAID, and GIZ.

Before her consulting career, Ia held managerial positions in human resources within the banking, aviation, and television industries. She also has extensive experience in the non-governmental sector, working in areas such as psycho-social support, raising awareness on ethnic issues, and delivering various thematic training.

Ia is an active angel investor at Axel and a mentor for startups.