News

About competition: Eccentrics | Big Ideas and Research Competition

Georgian sometimes can be a nation of dreamers.  But without dreaming of greatness it cannot be achieved.

This contest is a unique way to share potentially world-changing research and business ideas.  It invites 2 categories of participants:

1.      Researchers who are involved in research they feel can change the world!

2.      Entrepreneurs who have an idea how to solve a really huge problem that could change the world if they solve it

Finals and judges:

There will be 3 winners of the contest who will receive some valuable prizes. But more importantly finalists will be able to present their research or ideas in front of a panel of Silicon Valley judges including:

• Bill Reichert, Founder of Garage Ventures with Guy Kawaski, Partner at Pegasus Tech Ventures

• Ron Weisman, Chairman of Software Group of Band of Angels - the oldest SV Angel Group(used to work with Steve Jobs at NEXT)

• Luke Kowalski (Top executive from Oracle, reports directly to Larry Elison)

• Marvin Liao (Until very recently, Partner and Managing Director at 500 Startups in SF)

• Jonathan Tower (Founder and MD of Catapult VC) 

Registration:

Apply here: https://forms.gle/a7LGxP35h1u2Nqou8
Applications are due February 10th at midnight Georgian time
Final pitch event will be February 26th. 

The first application does not require a pitch deck, just description of the idea and why it’s important.

No idea is too crazy for this competition! Unlike in other competitions, financials and business model will not be excessive focus and deciding factor, although you have to show how are you going to win over competition and what is your “unfair” advantage. 

Think BIG - here is your chance to prove Peter Thiel wrong (“We wanted flying cars, instead we got 140 characters”) 

Donors and organizers

• Ilia State University

• Startup Grind Tbilisi

• US Embassy in Georgia

• Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA)

Join and get updates about competition: http://bit.ly/394tFA2