The final of the START-UP Marathon was held at Alte University. Organized by Alte University, the annual school project - START-UP Marathon - was successfully held for the fourth time, aiming to develop entrepreneurship, innovative thinking, and business skills among school students.
The project brought together high school students interested in innovation and technology from various regions of Georgia and gave them the opportunity to turn their START-UP ideas into viable business models. Interest in the project was particularly high this year. More than 500 students from grades X-XII expressed a desire to participate in the marathon.
After the completion of the registration stage, qualified representatives of Alte University's Schools of Business and Information Technology selected 78 students based on innovative ideas, who were organized into 23 teams. In the semi-final stage, the participants took part in online training sessions and worked on their ideas together with professionals. Finally, 10 teams moved to the final stage, where they presented their projects to a competent jury.
The culmination of the START-UP Marathon was the announcement of the winning teams and the award ceremony. Among the finalist teams, initiatives that combined healthcare, education, fitness, rehabilitation, and artificial intelligence drew special attention, demonstrating once again the high potential for innovative thinking and technological solutions among young people.
- Alte University's favorite team was Bluepatch, which received 5,000 GEL to support the implementation of their idea. Additionally, with the support of the university's "Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center," the team will have the opportunity to develop its project at the next stage and attract investors. Alte University also expressed support for another team - Future Intelligent Teacher - which will be assisted in idea development and seeking further opportunities through the "Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center" services.
- The favorite team of the project's general sponsor, Liberty Bank, was Armmo, which received a 5,000 GEL cash prize.
- The project sponsor, EasyPay, named AthleTrack as its favorite team and awarded them 3,000 GEL.
- The company FINO selected Armmo and Future Intelligent Teacher as its favorites and provided them with a service package worth 3,000 GEL.
- Entrepreneur Georgia selected three teams for media support: Armmo, ProtoBlast, and Bluepatch.
- With the support of GITA Tech Park, the teams AthleTrack, Armmo, and Bluepatch will receive the opportunity to create a prototype.
All members of the teams participating in the final were given a certificate of participation. Among the finalist teams, initiatives that responded to real challenges with innovative, technological, and practically usable solutions were particularly distinguished.
According to members of Bluepatch, the result is an important motivation to further refine and develop their idea. The team is working on an innovative plaster that uses blue light to destroy bacteria, making the treatment of damaged skin more effective. The recognition and multiple awards received in the final made it even clearer to them that the idea has real development potential.
Armmo's project was also outstanding - a wearable exoskeleton that helps users with the rehabilitation of upper limbs, making the process more accessible and effective. According to the team members, preparation for the marathon was an intensive and challenging process, but they were eventually able to present the idea convincingly. The funding will allow them to expand product development, manufacture additional prototypes, refine the application, and work on a marketing strategy.
Other initiatives among the finalist teams included:
ProtoBlast represents an AI-based software solution that simplifies and speeds up the cancer treatment planning process. The system automatically analyzes medical images, determines the exact location of a tumor, and calculates the optimal dose of proton therapy, preparing a treatment plan in minutes instead of weeks and significantly increasing accuracy and accessibility.
AthleTrack is an innovative fitness and nutrition platform that combines AI and sensor-equipped sportswear. The system collects body data in real-time and creates personalized exercise and nutrition plans that constantly adapt to the user's physical condition and progress.
Future Intelligent Teacher is a multifunctional interactive robot that makes learning anatomy easier for children. The device combines learning and fun, making the educational process a more interesting, interactive, and effective experience.
During the START-UP Marathon, participants learned the basics of entrepreneurship, underwent training and mentoring, and developed skills in teamwork, innovative thinking, resource management, and presentation. The project gave them the opportunity to practically experience the path an idea takes in a real business environment before becoming a product or service.
According to Ani Amiranashvili, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Alte University, the START-UP Marathon is a key initiative serving to strengthen innovative thinking and entrepreneurial vision oriented toward real opportunities in young people.
She stated that the main value of the project lies not only in sharing knowledge but in creating a space where motivated youth can discover, develop, and support their ideas. Such initiatives help students think about entrepreneurship from an early age and turn their potential into specific directions.
According to the project sponsor, EasyPay, special attention was paid to the practicality, development potential, and market demand of the winning ideas. A company representative mentioned that such initiatives give young people the opportunity to test their ideas in a real environment and develop skills that will ensure their future competitiveness.
Alte University's goal is for the START-UP Marathon to become an even larger-scale platform in the future, uniting budding entrepreneurs, investors, and experienced professionals to remain a vital space for innovation among the youth.
