GITA Matching Grant: $150,000 for Georgian Tech Companies Going Global

If you’re building a tech company in Georgia with ambitions to compete in international markets, GITA’s Matching Grant Program can provide the capital and support you need to make that leap. This is up to $150,000 in co-financing specifically designed to help Georgian software, gaming, and digital media companies break into EU, US, and other export markets where the real growth opportunities lie.

Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA) created this program because they understand that Georgian tech companies face a fundamental challenge: the domestic market is too small to support high-growth technology businesses. To succeed, Georgian startups must think globally from early stages. But entering international markets requires investment in product localization, marketing, business development, and infrastructure that most early-stage companies can’t afford. That’s exactly what this grant addresses.

What makes GITA’s program particularly valuable is that it’s not just money. You get access to international immersion trips where you’ll meet potential customers and investors in target markets, investor readiness coaching to prepare you for raising follow-on funding, mentorship from successful Georgian entrepreneurs who’ve scaled globally, and connections to GITA’s network of partners across Europe and North America. For companies ready to scale beyond Georgia, this combination of capital and support can accelerate your international growth by 12-18 months.

The application deadline is June 20, 2025. Competitive applications typically take 6-8 weeks to develop properly, especially since you need to demonstrate existing traction and have a clear international expansion strategy. If you’re serious about applying, you should start preparing now.

Key Details at a Glance

What This Grant Actually Funds

GITA is laser-focused on helping Georgian tech companies succeed internationally. The funding goes toward activities that directly support global market entry and growth.

Product Development for International Markets: If you need to localize your product for specific markets—adapting for different languages, currencies, regulations, or user preferences—this grant can fund that work. Maybe your software needs GDPR compliance for European customers, or your game needs cultural adaptation for different regions. Product development that makes your offering competitive internationally is exactly what GITA wants to support.

Sales and Marketing for Export Markets: Breaking into new markets requires investment in marketing, sales personnel, market research, and customer acquisition. The grant can fund hiring business development people focused on international markets, attending key industry conferences where you’ll meet buyers, running targeted marketing campaigns in priority markets, and conducting market research to understand customer needs in different regions.

International Business Development: Building relationships in new markets takes time and money. GITA can fund travel to meet potential customers and partners, participation in international trade missions and pitch events, legal and consulting services for entering new markets (understanding regulations, setting up entities, etc.), and developing partnership relationships with international distributors or resellers.

Technical Infrastructure for Scaling: As you grow internationally, you need infrastructure that can handle that growth. The grant can fund cloud infrastructure and services that let you serve global customers, security and compliance systems required for international markets, customer support systems and personnel, and technical talent focused on scaling your platform.

Investor Readiness and Fundraising: GITA recognizes that this grant is typically a stepping stone to larger funding. They’ll fund activities that prepare you to raise Series A or other growth capital, including pitch deck development, financial modeling, due diligence preparation, and participation in investor showcases.

What Doesn’t Qualify: The grant won’t fund general operating expenses unrelated to international expansion, activities focused purely on the Georgian domestic market, personal expenses or founder salaries unrelated to specific project activities, or equipment and expenses not directly tied to market entry.

Who Should Apply

GITA is looking for Georgian tech companies that are ready to scale internationally but need capital and support to make it happen.

You’re a Strong Candidate If:

Your company is officially registered in Georgia as a legal entity. This is non-negotiable—foreign companies or Georgian entrepreneurs without proper registration don’t qualify.

You have a technology product in software, gaming, digital media, or related tech services. GITA prioritizes these sectors because Georgia has competitive advantages in software development talent and growing expertise in gaming and creative technology.

You have demonstrable traction proving product-market fit. This might mean paying customers (even if still small numbers), strong user engagement metrics, pilot customers providing validation, or letters of intent from potential international customers. You don’t need massive revenue, but you need evidence that people want what you’re building.

Your international expansion strategy is clear and credible. You can articulate which markets you’re targeting, why those markets, what the opportunity size is, how you’ll enter them, and what competitive advantages you have. Vague plans to “go international eventually” won’t cut it—you need specifics.

You can provide at least 10% cash co-investment. If the total project budget is $165,000 and you’re requesting $150,000, you need to put in at least $15,000 in cash. GITA wants to see financial commitment from founders, demonstrating you have skin in the game.

Your team has the capability to execute international expansion. This usually means someone with business development or sales experience, English language fluency (essential for most international markets), and understanding of how to operate across borders.

You’re Probably Not Ready If:

You’re still at the idea or early prototype stage without real users. GITA supports companies ready to scale, not those still validating their concept.

You’re focused primarily on the Georgian market with no serious plans for international expansion. There are other programs better suited to domestic growth.

You can’t afford the required co-investment. If coming up with 10% in cash would strain your finances to the breaking point, you’re not in position for this program yet.

Your product isn’t in GITA’s priority sectors. If you’re building hardware, biotech, traditional services, or other non-tech businesses, you’ll face much longer odds.

Insider Tips for Winning Applications

Having seen successful and unsuccessful GITA applications, here’s what actually makes the difference.

Demonstrate Real Traction with Specific Metrics: Don’t say “users love our product.” Show numbers. “We have 5,000 active users with 45% monthly retention, including 200 paying customers generating $8,000 MRR, and 3-month growth rate of 25%” is compelling. Traction data proves you’re ready to scale, not just experimenting. Even if your numbers are small, show growth trajectory.

Make Your International Strategy Specific and Credible: Generic plans to “expand to Europe” won’t work. Explain precisely which countries you’re targeting first and why. “We’re entering Poland and Romania because they have 25 million combined potential customers in our demographic, lower customer acquisition costs than Western Europe, and we already have 3 pilot customers there who’ve validated our solution” is the level of specificity needed. Show you’ve done market research and understand your target markets.

Emphasize Export Potential and Scalability: GITA’s mission is growing Georgia’s tech export sector. Frame your project around how much international revenue you’ll generate, how many jobs you’ll create as you grow, and how you’re building a globally competitive company from Georgia. “By Year 3, we project 80% of revenue from international markets, totaling $2M annually, while employing 30 Georgian developers and designers” aligns perfectly with GITA’s goals.

Show Founder Commitment Through Co-Investment: The 10% cash match is minimum, but stronger applications often show more. If you can commit 15-20% or have already invested your own money in the business, it demonstrates conviction. Also show any revenue you’re reinvesting or money you’ve raised from angels or other sources. Multiple forms of commitment are more compelling than barely meeting the minimum.

Leverage Georgian Tech Ecosystem Connections: If you’ve participated in other Georgian startup programs, worked with local tech parks, hired from Georgian universities, or collaborated with other companies in Georgia’s tech scene, highlight these connections. GITA wants to support companies embedded in and contributing to Georgia’s broader tech ecosystem.

Have a Credible Post-Grant Plan: What happens after this $150,000? The best applications show you’ve thought beyond this grant to follow-on funding. Maybe you’ll raise a Series A once you hit certain revenue milestones. Or you’ll reach profitability and self-fund. Or you’ll pursue additional export promotion funding. Show this is part of a bigger growth strategy, not just one-off financing.

Demonstrate Team Capability for International Business: GITA needs confidence you can actually execute in foreign markets. Highlight any team members with international business experience, previous companies that expanded abroad, language capabilities beyond Georgian and English, or cultural knowledge of target markets. If your team lacks international experience, acknowledge it and explain how you’ll address it (hiring, advisors, partners).

Application Timeline and Process

Here’s a realistic timeline working backward from the June 20 deadline.

Early April (10-12 Weeks Before): Research GITA’s program thoroughly and review previously funded companies to understand what succeeds. Assess your readiness honestly—do you have the traction, team, and international strategy needed? Start gathering metrics and traction data. Draft your international expansion strategy at a high level.

Mid-April (8-10 Weeks Before): Develop your detailed international expansion plan. Which markets? Why? What’s your entry strategy? What metrics will you track? What’s the timeline? Start conversations with potential partners, customers, or advisors in target markets who might provide letters of support. Begin collecting financial data for your budget.

Late April / Early May (6-8 Weeks Before): Draft your application. Include your company story and traction to date, detailed international expansion strategy, budget and how you’ll use the funding, team bios emphasizing relevant capabilities, and metrics and KPIs you’ll track. Get feedback from advisors, other entrepreneurs, or mentors who know GITA’s program.

Mid-May (4-6 Weeks Before): Revise based on feedback. Polish your metrics—make sure all numbers are accurate and impressive as possible. Finalize your budget with realistic costs. Prepare supporting documents: company registration, financial statements, traction data, letters of support from customers or partners, and team CVs.

Late May (2-3 Weeks Before): Complete final review of your application. Have someone outside your company read it to check for clarity. Ensure all required documents are ready. Submit well before the June 20 deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Post-Submission: GITA’s review process typically takes 6-8 weeks. This includes document review, potential interviews with finalists, and final selection. Top applicants will be invited to pitch in person. Be ready to answer tough questions about your traction, international strategy, and team capabilities.

Required Application Materials

Have these elements ready:

Company Information: Current company registration documents, financial statements (ideally showing revenue growth), cap table and ownership structure, and description of your product/service and current traction.

International Expansion Plan: Target markets with justification, market entry strategy and timeline, competitive analysis in target markets, revenue projections for international markets, and customer acquisition strategy.

Detailed Budget: Complete breakdown of how you’ll spend the $150,000, your 10% cash match documentation, quotes or estimates for major expenses, and timeline showing when funds will be deployed.

Team Information: CVs for founders and key team members, emphasis on relevant international business experience, description of roles and responsibilities, and evidence of technical capability.

Traction and Validation: User/customer metrics showing growth, revenue data if applicable, testimonials or case studies, letters of intent or pilot agreements from international customers (if available), and any previous funding or support you’ve received.

What Makes Applications Stand Out

GITA reviews many applications each cycle. Here’s what makes them pause and pay attention:

Strong Traction Trajectory: Applications that show clear momentum—month-over-month growth in users, revenue, or engagement—immediately stand out. Evaluators want to fund companies on upward trajectories, not those plateauing.

Credible International Pipeline: Companies that already have some international interest—pilot customers, inbound inquiries, initial users from target markets—demonstrate the export potential GITA is looking for. If you’re purely theoretical about international demand, you’re much weaker than companies with proof.

Clear Value Proposition for Target Markets: The best applications explain precisely why customers in target markets will choose their product over local alternatives. What’s your unique advantage? Why would a Polish company buy from a Georgian startup instead of an established local vendor? The answer needs to be compelling and specific.

Realistic but Ambitious Plans: There’s a balance between being too conservative and wildly optimistic. Plans that are achievable but show serious growth get funded. If you’re projecting 10x growth in 12 months with $150,000, evaluators will be skeptical. If you’re projecting 50% growth, you might not seem ambitious enough. Find the sweet spot.

Founder Credibility: Teams with previous startup experience, technical credentials, or industry expertise inspire more confidence than first-time founders with limited track records. If you’re a first-time founder, compensate by showing exceptional traction, strong advisors, or other proof points.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Applications

These errors weaken otherwise solid applications:

Vague International Plans: Saying you’ll “expand to Europe” or “target global markets” without specificity is a red flag. Name countries, explain why those countries, and detail how you’ll enter them. Generic international aspirations don’t cut it.

Inflated Metrics or Projections: Exaggerating traction or making unrealistic projections kills credibility. Evaluators have seen hundreds of companies—they know what realistic growth looks like. Be honest about where you are, and paint a credible picture of where you’re going.

Weak Product-Market Fit Evidence: If you don’t have real users or customers validating your product, you’re not ready for international expansion funding. Build more traction domestically first, then apply when you have proof people want what you’re building.

Insufficient Co-Investment: Just barely meeting the 10% minimum signals lack of founder commitment or financial instability. If you can afford to invest more, do so—it strengthens your application significantly.

Generic Template Applications: GITA receives many applications using similar language and structure. Applications that feel cookie-cutter don’t stand out. Write in your own voice, tell your specific story, and make evaluators remember your company.

Ignoring Post-Grant Funding: Treating this as a one-time grant rather than a stepping stone to larger funding suggests limited ambition or unrealistic expectations. Show you’re building a venture-scale business, not a lifestyle company.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if we’re already generating international revenue? That’s actually a positive signal—it proves export potential. Apply and show how this funding will help you scale what’s already working.

Can we apply if our product isn’t fully built yet? You need a working product with real users. If you’re still building your MVP, wait until you have something people are actually using before applying.

Do we need to have an office in target markets? Not necessarily. Many Georgian companies serve international customers remotely. However, you should have a plan for how you’ll serve international customers effectively (even if remotely).

What if we can’t afford the 10% cash match? Then you’re not ready for this program. Consider bootstrapping further, raising angel funding, or generating more revenue before applying.

Can we apply multiple times if rejected? Yes, and many successful recipients were accepted on their second or third attempt. Use feedback from the first rejection to strengthen your business and application.

Is there a limit on how many employees we can have? No formal limit, but this program targets early-stage to growth-stage companies, not large established businesses. Companies with 5-50 employees are typical.

Can we use the grant for hardware development? This program prioritizes software, gaming, and digital media. Pure hardware companies will face much longer odds. If you have software with a hardware component, you might qualify depending on the split.

What happens if we don’t hit our projected milestones? GITA recognizes that startup growth is uncertain. What matters is making genuine efforts, being transparent about challenges, and adapting your strategy. Honest communication is key.

How to Apply and Get Started

Ready to apply? Here’s your action plan:

First, visit GITA’s official website at https://gita.gov.ge/ and review the complete program guidelines, application requirements, and any sector-specific information.

Second, honestly assess your readiness. Do you have real traction? A clear international strategy? Ability to co-invest? If any of these are weak, spend a few months strengthening them before applying.

Third, start gathering your traction data and metrics. Document your user growth, revenue, engagement, or whatever metrics best show your momentum. Have this ready before you start the application.

Fourth, develop your international expansion strategy. Research target markets, understand competitors, talk to potential customers, and create a credible plan for how you’ll enter and win in those markets.

Fifth, begin your application at least 8 weeks before the June 20 deadline. Build in time for feedback and revision—first drafts are never good enough for competitive programs like this.

For questions about the program or application process, contact GITA through their website. They’re generally responsive to specific questions and hold informational sessions for potential applicants.

This is one of the best opportunities for Georgian tech companies ready to scale internationally. If you have the traction, team, and ambition to compete globally, this grant can accelerate your growth significantly.