Ilia State University’s Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development Center and Zoomout Pre-Accelerator, through the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory, announce an open call for a 6-week Pre-Acceleration Programme within the framework of the ELICIA project. The programme brings together technology, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation focused on solving real-world challenges.
The ELICIA Pre-Acceleration Programme aims to support the development of innovative ideas, products, and services that address real-world challenges through Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and creative technologies. Through prototyping, mentoring, and entrepreneurial support, the programme will help participants transform early-stage ideas and concepts into practical, viable solutions with further development potential.
Throughout the programme, participants will attend practical workshops and work on idea development, problem identification, understanding target users’ needs, solution validation, business model development, and prototyping. They will receive support from both local mentors and experts from ELICIA’s international partner organisations, who will help participants assess and strengthen the technological, entrepreneurial, and commercial potential of their ideas.
As part of the Pre-Acceleration Programme, a two-day Ideathon will take place on 14–15 November, focusing on robotics, artificial intelligence, and creative industries. Participation in the Ideathon is mandatory for all selected teams. During the event, participants will continue developing their projects in an intensive working environment, refine their solutions, advance their prototypes with guidance from mentors and experts, prepare their pitches, and present their ideas to a jury.
The Ideathon will conclude with the selection of two winning ideas. One representative (presenter) from each winning team will travel to Türkiye on a fully funded trip to participate in the international ELICIA Demo Day. At the event, representatives will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas and innovative solutions to an international jury and investors, receive valuable feedback, and establish new professional connections.
The Ideathon does not mark the end of the Pre-Acceleration Programme. Participants will continue with the programme’s planned activities after the event, while the winning teams will receive additional international mentoring and preparation to support the effective presentation of their projects at Demo Day.
The Pre-Acceleration Programme focuses on artificial intelligence, robotics, smart systems, and creative industries.
Important requirement: Proposed ideas must be related to at least one of the programme’s three core areas — Creativity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), or Robotics. Ideas that combine two or more of these areas are particularly encouraged.
The programme is implemented within the framework of ELICIA (Empowering Leadership in Creative Innovation and AI-driven Entrepreneurship), a project funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) through the EIT Higher Education Initiative (EIT HEI). The project aims to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurial capacities within higher education institutions, promote the integration of artificial intelligence and creative technologies, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and support the practical implementation of innovative ideas.
As part of the ELICIA project, Ilia State University has established a Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory, which supports technological research, experimentation, and the development of innovative projects.
Who Can Participate?
The programme welcomes both individual applicants and teams. It is open to students, graduates, researchers, early-stage startups, young professionals, developers, engineers, designers, entrepreneurs, and other interested individuals.
Eligibility requirements:
Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
At least one member of each team must be a currently enrolled student or graduate of Ilia State University.
At least one team member must be proficient in English, as international mentoring sessions and Demo Day will be conducted in English.
Applicants must be willing to actively participate in the Pre-Acceleration Programme and the Ideathon on 14–15 November.
Proposed ideas must:
Be related to the programme’s core thematic areas (Robotics, AI, or Creative Industries).
Demonstrate innovative or creative elements, whether through the proposed solution, approach, application, or use of technology.
Be at the idea, concept, or early prototype stage – a completed product or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is not required.
Have realistic potential for further development, testing, and prototyping.
Participant Selection
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Thematic Relevance – alignment with the programme’s core thematic areas.
Innovation – the originality, creativity, or innovative approach of the proposed idea.
Feasibility and Development Potential – the potential for further development, testing, and prototyping.
Commitment to Participation – applicants’ readiness to actively engage in programme activities.
Programme Schedule and Format
The 6-week Pre-Acceleration Programme will begin on 3 November 2026. Sessions will be held in person at Ilia State University, every Tuesday and Thursday.
The programme will include practical workshops, team consultations, and mentoring sessions with local and international experts.
A two-day ELICIA Ideathon will take place on 14–15 November, after which participants will continue the Pre-Acceleration Programme.
Please note: Session days may be subject to change, and additional sessions may be scheduled during the programme. Selected participants will be informed of any changes in advance.
Registration
To apply, interested individuals must complete the registration form and provide a brief description of their idea, its innovative elements, its relevance to the programme’s thematic areas, and its current stage of development.
Application deadline: 26 October 2026
Registration form: https://forms.gle/8P1kwM3hda1gb6Dv9
The Pre-Acceleration Programme will begin on 3 November, with sessions scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays.
For further information or questions, please contact: fablab@iliauni.edu.ge
