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BTU Successfully Concludes AI Hackathon with a 20,000 GEL Prize Fund

Business and Technology University (BTU) successfully hosted the AI Hackathon, bringing together Georgia’s top university students to develop AI-driven solutions in the education sector. The event, organized as part of the AI4Globe initiative, aimed to foster AI innovation and bridge technology with real-world applications.

This year’s hackathon saw a record 350+ students from 22 universities, forming 116 teams to compete for the 20,000 GEL prize fund. After a rigorous first round, 18 teams and nearly 65 students advanced to the second stage, where they presented their AI-powered educational solutions to a panel of industry experts and tech companies.

Winning Teams and Their AI Solutions

  • 1st Place – TeachAid
    A platform for teachers and lecturers that automates the creation of educational materials, including lesson plans, presentations, and quizzes, streamlining the teaching process.
  • 2nd Place – Edubot
    An AI chatbot designed to support STEAM education by assisting learners in remote regions with subject-specific guidance and resources.
  • 3rd Place – 3Threads
    An AI-powered platform for university entrance exam preparation, enabling students to take mock exams, receive feedback, and track progress toward improvement.

Additional Recognition and Pre-Acceleration Support

Beyond the three winning teams, two additional standout teams were selected to participate in BTU’s Student Pre-Acceleration Program, gaining mentorship and resources to further develop their AI solutions.

Expert Jury and Mentorship:

The hackathon featured a distinguished panel of AI experts, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs who evaluated the projects and selected the winners:

  • Zaal Gachechiladze – Co-founder of Pulsar AI & AI Lab
  • Rati Skhirtladze – Founder and Director of Data Analytics Lab
  • Ioseb Khutsishvili – Co-founder of MaxinAI
  • Mariam Chakvadze – Machine Learning / Software Engineer at Quantori
  • Mikheil Rukhaia – Professor of Computer Science and AI, BTU
  • Tornike Sulaberidze – Head of Business Development, Lineate

Throughout the hackathon, participants benefited from mentorship provided by leading AI professionals from top organizations, including the Bank of Georgia, Quantori, Impel, and independent startup advisors.

Strategic Partnerships and Sponsors:

The AI Hackathon’s main partner and official sponsor was Lineate Georgia, a US-based international IT company. Additional partners included Quantori, a global digital IT solutions company, and Devexperts, an international technology firm.

By fostering AI-driven innovation, BTU continues to play a key role in preparing students for the evolving digital landscape, equipping them with practical skills and industry connections to advance their careers in AI and technology.