All three of us, co-founders of Impact Hub Tbilisi, were born and raised in Tbilisi. We know the city inside out and are very well familiar with Georgian culture, traditions and local context. We know each other from childhood, personal strengths and weaknesses are well known, which makes working together easier. For a long time, we were thinking about starting together something new and innovative in Georgia. We wanted to mobilize and combine our networks and create something meaningful.

All of us have international experience and would like to bring the best of it to our city. We have different personalities, diverse professional backgrounds and exposure to diverse sectors, including but not limited to business, commercial and development banking, media, government, non-profit and private sectors. We have worked both in Georgia and abroad and have extensive personal and professional networks in each of the targeted segments. We have also a main strategic partner and 49% shareholder – the Europe Foundation, which is a leading third sector player when it comes to social and economic prosperity. We believe that our collaboration and networks are one of the most valuable assets for becoming a part of the global Impact Hub family, where people are united for the universal goal – to make the world a better place.

Ketevan Ebanoidze:

I was born and raised in Tbilisi and spent most of my career in journalism and public relations. After few years of working in TV industry I completed a master’s degree in media management and moved to public relations role. I currently lead the Media and Communications Division at the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia. I am passionate about storytelling and communication methods and look forward to sharing my experience and knowledge with others.

George Akhalkatsi:

I was born in Tbilisi, but finished a high school in the United States and graduate studies between France and Singapore. I spent past nine years in development banking between Georgia and United Kingdom. I am passionate about entrepreneurship, having started 8 businesses in past 6 years. I am also committed to civil society, acting as a chairman of Transparency International Georgian chapter. I first learned about Impact Hub in 2011 and since then have been dreaming about bringing the concept to Georgia.

Elene Jvania:

I was born in Tbilisi, but spent half of my life in Germany.  All my professional experience is focused on strengthening Georgian-German business and social relationships. I have spent four years managing German business association community in Georgia and currently work for a leading German organic baby food manufacturing in Georgia. I would like to use my skills to mobilize broader local and international community in Georgia to find new synergies among themselves and achieve a meaningful regional impact.