Ani (Annie) Vashakmadze is a tech diplomat with over 10 years of experience shaping Georgia’s innovation ecosystem, leading initiatives in fundraising and sectoral development.
She is a PhD researcher in the International Graduate Program for Interdisciplinary Studies in Science and Technology at Kyoto Institute of Technology, specializing in design for inclusive innovation. She is an Associate Professor at the Business and Technology University of Georgia. Her work explores how adaptive design methodologies can transform entrepreneurial ecosystems for individuals with disabilities. She has conducted fieldwork in Okinawa, examining how cultural practices and environmental initiatives intersect with disability entrepreneurship. Beyond Japan, Annie is committed to transferring these insights to Georgia and wider Eastern European and Central Asian regions, where she is developing frameworks for inclusive innovation mapping and fund creation. Her research sits at the intersection of design, policy, and entrepreneurship.
