Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Additional Information
Websites
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Mariam Sumbadze

Program Executive – Startup & Venture Growth
Mariam Sumbadze

Summary

I am a results-driven and dynamic professional with over 10 years of experience in program management, business development, and entrepreneurship within the technology, startup,governmental and non-profit sectors.

I have led successful Google for Startups Accelerator programs across Europe, MENA, and SSA regions, including AI, Climate Change, and Cloud accelerators, consistently driving impactful outcomes such as significant increases in program applications, startup engagement, and Google Cloud uptake.

I have managed end-to-end program execution, driving measurable impact through data-driven decision-making, process optimization, and stakeholder alignment. My experience includes leading international events, engaging with senior leadership, managing multi-functional teams, cooperating with government and donor organizations and scaling operational frameworks.

I am passionate about social impact, technology innovation, and creating sustainable ecosystems, with a deep commitment to fostering collaborative partnerships and driving business growth through strategic and data-driven decision-making.

Having worked across Europe, MENA-T, and CIS regions, I am skilled in navigating complex organizational structures, delivering seamless execution, and improving processes to enhance efficiency and performance.

Overview

11
years of professional experience
5
years of post-secondary education
4
Languages

Work History

Accelerator Program Manager

Google for Startups Accelerator MENA-T
11.2022 - Current

Job overview

  • Program Management & Execution: Led the design and execution of accelerator programs, driving strategic goals, identifying risks and dependencies, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure smooth program operations and alignment with key business objectives across regions including Europe, MENA-T, and SSA, managing project activities, international events, and stakeholder coordination. Programs included Climate Change Accelerator, Cloud Accelerator, AI First Accelerator, and Women Founders Accelerator.
  • VC & Startup Ecosystem Engagement: Managed and executed VC and startup activities across cities, including Helsinki, Berlin, and Madrid as well as Middle East Dubai & Riyadh. Organized the AI Ecosystem Dinner at Slush, engaging 30+ partners from leading VCs (Lightspeed VC, Partech, Episode 1, Atomico, and others) VC mixers at DFF, Demo day and VC networking in Riyadh, THE Garage.
  • Startup Selection & Mentorship: Directed the selection process for accelerator cohorts, leading 100+ interviews, vetting & identifying startups for the Accelerators, resulting in 50% cohort uptake of Google Cloud. Achieved an NPS score of 100 from participating startups and mentors. Designed and executed the first GFS Climate Change Accelerator in Europe, achieving an NPS score of 95 from startups and 60% uptake of Google Cloud.
  • Founder Support & Strategic Guidance: Served as the primary point of contact for startups and entrepreneurs, advising on fundraising, go-to-market strategies, and navigating Google products to scale their businesses effectively.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders such as Google teams, community partners, and industry experts to ensure seamless program execution, meeting key objectives and providing critical support to startup founders. Worked with DFF, Hub 71 and many other major stakeholders in the region to ensure the program success and visibility.
  • Program Curriculum & Session Management: Designed the accelerator program agenda and curriculum, working closely with stakeholders to ensure alignment with startup needs. Coordinated and executed sessions with top-tier speakers and mentors, providing valuable tailored content and insights to accelerate growth.
  • Alumni Tracking & Engagement: Developed and implemented strategies for alumni tracking, maintaining relationships with previous cohorts, ensuring continued support and engagement through follow-up events, check-ins, and networking opportunities.
  • International Event Planning: Oversaw the planning and delivery of international events and speaking engagements for accelerator participants, ensuring they received the support needed, including financial assistance, travel logistics, and swag for events.
  • Reporting & Insights Development: Drove data-based decision making process with Research and Insights Team, conducting in-depth research and providing valuable insights reports for accelerator programs in Europe, MENA-T, and SSA regions to support strategic decision-making.
  • Women’s Empowerment & Diversity Initiatives: Contributed to empowering women founders through the Women Founders Accelerator, helping underrepresented groups access critical resources and support to scale their startups.
  • Market Impact: Increased brand awareness for Google for Startups across multiple regions, driving recognition within the startup ecosystem and boosting engagement with Google’s support offerings.

Managing Director

Georgian ICT Cluster (IT Business Association)
03.2019 - 11.2022

Job overview

  • Ecosystem Development & Strategic Partnerships: Led high-impact collaborations with donors, partner organizations, and private-sector stakeholders to drive innovation and digital transformation in Georgia, such as World Bank, USAID, EU Commission, UNDP & many more.
  • Venture & Startup Growth: Played a pivotal role in the Georgian Digital Transformation Consortium, uniting 30 leading tech companies to foster a stronger startup ecosystem, attract investment opportunities and facilitate PPP partnerships.
  • Investment & Funding Management: Oversaw €5M+ in grants and funding, securing and managing large-scale financial resources to support digital transformation, startup acceleration, and tech adoption.
  • Tech & Innovation Programs: Spearheaded the Tech Clubs Network, a flagship educational initiative empowering 3,000+ young professionals (ages 14-25) with digital and media literacy skills to strengthen the next generation of entrepreneurs.
  • Accelerating Business Digitalization: Designed and executed grant programs providing Digital Transformation Toolkits and training to traditional businesses, mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and driving tech adoption.
  • Venture & Startup Matchmaking: Supported IT businesses in securing strategic partnerships and investment opportunities both locally and internationally, fostering a stronger innovation pipeline.
  • Executive Leadership & Growth Strategy: Defined and implemented short- and long-term organizational strategies, working closely with the Board of Directors to scale operations and drive impact.
  • Revenue & Business Expansion: Achieved consistent revenue growth by identifying new business opportunities, expanding service offerings, and strengthening investor relations.

4IT Tech Recruitment

Co-Founder & CEO
03.2020 - 11.2022

Job overview

  • Growth & Market Expansion: Scaled operations by developing and executing integrated business strategies, increasing revenue, profitability, and market presence.
  • Startup Talent & Leadership Recruitment: Specialized in co-founder selection, executive search, and team building for startups, ensuring venture-backed companies had the right leadership and talent to scale.
  • Technical Staff Sourcing & Team Structuring: Identified startup needs to source top-tier tech talent and build cost-efficient, high-performing teams, aligned with growth objectives while meeting investor and VC expectations.
  • Strategic Business Development: Addressed key scaling challenges by optimizing recruitment strategies, enabling startups to attract and retain top talent.
  • Sales & Revenue Growth: Designed and implemented sales & marketing initiatives, strengthening brand positioning and driving new business opportunities.
  • Key Account & Partnership Management: Built long-term relationships with high-profile clients, investors, and startup founders, supporting talent-driven innovation in the ecosystem.

Alpha Technologies Inc

Head of Business development
03.2018 - 02.2020

Job overview

  • Global Market Expansion & Digital Transformation: Led the establishment of Alpha IT Training & Educational Centers in Georgia & Poland, advancing AI, data analytics, and cloud technology adoption in emerging markets.
  • Strategic Partnerships & B2B Growth: Managed corporate client relations in Switzerland, London, and Poland, securing long-term partnerships with investment banks, telecom, healthcare, and retail enterprises.
  • Tech Talent Development & Workforce Strategy: Designed and executed IT training programs, identifying and onboarding global tech experts to upskill the workforce and bridge the talent gap in cybersecurity, cloud, and digital transformation.
  • Investor & VC Alignment: Analyzed market needs to ensure training initiatives and tech solutions aligned with VC expectations, fostering a talent pipeline for high-growth startups.
  • Operational Leadership & Global Coordination: Oversaw collaboration with local managers and HQ in Wilmington, USA, ensuring smooth execution of strategic initiatives across multiple geographies.
  • Enterprise IT Solutions & Sales Acceleration: Led international B2B sales efforts, driving revenue through custom IT solutions, managed services, and cybersecurity offerings.
  • Brand Positioning & Thought Leadership: Elevated Alpha Technologies' global presence by promoting its digital transformation solutions through industry events, social media, and high-impact networking.

NGO New Society

Co-Founder/Consultant Manager
01.2016 - 01.2020

Job overview

  • Mission-Driven Leadership: Co-founded the NGO with a strong belief in social good and positive change, focusing on supporting underprivileged families, promoting healthy lifestyles, and offering educational opportunities for children at risk.
  • Strategic Planning & Organizational Development: Developed the NGO Charter and strategic plan, setting both short-term and long-term goals aimed at fostering sustainable social impact and empowering disadvantaged communities.
  • Fundraising & Donor Relations: Led fundraising initiatives by building relationships with donors and partners, ensuring financial stability and continued support for programs targeting youth education, family welfare, and addiction prevention.
  • Proposal & Grant Writing: Wrote detailed proposals, including budget planning and strategic content, to secure grants and funding for community education programs and social welfare projects.
  • Branding & Marketing Strategy: Developed impactful branding and communication strategies, raising awareness for the NGO’s mission and programs, and driving community engagement.
  • Volunteer Network & Team Management: Built and managed a dedicated volunteer network, driving successful implementation of social programs and fostering community involvement.
  • Project Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement: Advocated for the NGO’s social initiatives, forging partnerships and collaborations with local and international organizations to expand community support and social welfare.

Elva Community Engagement

Project Manager
03.2016 - 03.2018

Job overview

  • Humanitarian Tech & Community Engagement: Managed the implementation of mobile and web-based solutions for crisis and conflict zones, ensuring accurate and timely collection of community-driven data to inform localized interventions.
  • Cross-Cultural Project Coordination: Facilitated effective communication and collaboration between local stakeholders, international partners, and humanitarian organizations, enhancing the quality of program delivery across Georgia.
  • Youth Empowerment & Training Programs: Developed and executed short- and long-term training initiatives, engaging youth from underserved regions and empowering them with skills in technology and social entrepreneurship.
  • Monitoring & Evaluation: Wrote comprehensive monitoring and evaluation reports in compliance with donor requirements, analyzing project outcomes and impact to improve ongoing and future initiatives.
  • Funding & Social Innovation: Identified and pursued new funding opportunities, advocating for social innovation and entrepreneurship programs designed to address local challenges and promote sustainable development.
  • Tech-Driven Social Solutions: Stayed abreast of developments in technology, social innovation, and entrepreneurship, integrating emerging trends into project planning to ensure effective, scalable solutions in crisis-affected areas.
  • Global Impact: Contributed to impactful projects funded by organizations such as USAID, UNDP, and the European Union, supporting large-scale humanitarian efforts in regions including Syria, Eastern Ukraine, Nigeria, and Libya.

Traktor

Business Development and Marketing Manager
03.2016 - 02.2018

Job overview

  • Agri-Tech Innovation & Business Development: Played a key role in the founding team of Traktor, Georgia’s first-ever agricultural mobile app, which provided farmers with expert consultations, tools, equipment, and digital solutions for crop management and land care.
  • Project Planning & Execution: Developed project work plans and ensured timely implementation of activities, collaborating closely with the project financial manager to address risks and challenges.
  • Marketing Strategy & Outreach: Led marketing activities, including social media campaigns, event planning, and community outreach, aimed at raising awareness and promoting the app’s benefits among farmers in rural regions.
  • Farmer Education & Technology Adoption: Mobilized farmers across Georgia to educate them on mobile technology and how to leverage the app for digital farming solutions, ensuring increased adoption and impact in the agricultural community.
  • Customized Project Design & Delivery: Collaborated with the Program Technical Manager to ensure that the app's design was tailored to local farming methods, crop seasonality, and specific farmer needs, ensuring maximum relevance and effectiveness.
  • Needs Assessment & Product Development: Conducted baseline assessments and farmer needs assessments, using insights to inform and refine the app’s features and improve overall product-market fit.
  • Partnership Development: Established key partnerships with farmer cooperatives and other stakeholders, expanding the app’s reach and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project.
  • Impact Reporting & Donor Relations: Delivered detailed monitoring and evaluation reports in line with donor requirements, tracking the success of the project and ensuring continued support from stakeholders.
  • Successful Exit: Contributed to the successful exit of the company by selling it to a major bank, demonstrating the scalability and business potential of the agri-tech solution.

Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency

International Relations and Protocol
02.2014 - 01.2016

Job overview

  • International Representation & Networking: Represented Georgia at international conferences, events, and workshops including EU Commission Panels and other global forums, fostering strategic partnerships and showcasing Georgia’s innovative initiatives.
  • Eastern European Market Strategy: Developed and executed short-term strategies for Digital Market Harmonization with the EU, focusing on Eastern European countries and promoting Georgia’s tech landscape to potential investors and collaborators.
  • Project Development & International Partnerships: Played a key role in the preparation of the World Bank Loan project - GENIE, contributing to international collaboration and donor engagement to facilitate Georgia’s innovation ecosystem.
  • Event Planning & Conference Management: Led the technical and contextual aspects of organizing major international conferences and workshops, including Georgia’s First International Conference on Biotechnologies, Start-up Challenge Georgia, and Innovations Week, ensuring global representation of Georgia’s growing innovation sector.
  • Innovation Granting Programs: Spearheaded the first innovation granting programs, providing critical funding to local startups and innovators, driving the commercialization of Georgia’s technological advancements.
  • Stakeholder Communication & Reporting: Maintained strong communication with local and international donor organizations, ensuring that funding and collaboration efforts were aligned with the Agency’s goals and innovation initiatives.
  • Official Correspondence & Protocol: Managed agency visit protocols, both locally and internationally, while preparing official documentation, letters, and newsletters to effectively communicate Georgia’s innovation agenda to key stakeholders.

Education

I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University

Bachelor of Political Sciences from International Relations
09.2013 - 07.2017

University Overview

Fox High School

High School Diploma
05.2010 - 08.2011

University Overview

  • USA Government Future Leaders Exchange Program Scholarship (FLEX Alumni)

Skills

Leadership in global accelerator programs with a proven track record of success

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Additional Information

Additional Information

Latest Projects:

  • Hub 71xGoogle for Startups Accelerator program - Empowering the Next Generation of AI Startups
  • Google for Startups Accelerators: Cloud, AI First,Climate Change,Women Founders
  • Alumni & Community Summits EU & MENA-T
  • Tech Clubs Network in the Regions of Georgia (100 Coding Club in Total in 100 School and VET, more than 3000 Beneficiaries);
  • Digital Transformation for SMEs more than 120 SMEs;
  • Tech Camps for youth in Regions(100 Young Beneficiary in each camp, more than 300 beneficiaries)
  • Georgia’s Innovations Week( 5 Day long international conference with more than 3000 attendees;
  • E-Gov Digital Transformation, Public-Private Partnership;
  • Peace VR – Cross border peace building with the help of digital technologies;
  • European Enterprise Network Development;
  • Tech-assessment, Business potential evaluation for research institutes with Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
  • Start-up Start-Up Marathons & Challenge;
  • Global Entrepreneurship Week;
  • Start-Up Marathons and challenges;

Websites

Timeline

Google for Startups Accelerator MENA-T
Accelerator Program Manager
11.2022 - Current
Co-Founder & CEO
4IT Tech Recruitment
03.2020 - 11.2022
Georgian ICT Cluster (IT Business Association)
Managing Director
03.2019 - 11.2022
Head of Business development
Alpha Technologies Inc
03.2018 - 02.2020
Project Manager
Elva Community Engagement
03.2016 - 03.2018
Business Development and Marketing Manager
Traktor
03.2016 - 02.2018
Co-Founder/Consultant Manager
NGO New Society
01.2016 - 01.2020
International Relations and Protocol
Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency
02.2014 - 01.2016
I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
Bachelor of Political Sciences from International Relations
09.2013 - 07.2017
Fox High School
High School Diploma
05.2010 - 08.2011

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Mariam SumbadzeProgram Executive – Startup & Venture Growth