Ani (Annie) Vashakmadze 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. 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 social equity, and she is passionate about bringing cultures to foster entrepreneurship that is both inclusive and globally relevant.
