Around 250 women entrepreneurs from Georgia and Armenia, including survivors of violence, residents of remote mountain regions, and Ukrainian refugees, came together for the Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO 2025. The event served as a regional platform for networking, learning, and promoting women-led enterprises.
In Georgia, participants showcased a diverse range of products including food, wine, gifts, toys, accessories, handicrafts, and beauty items. The event offered new sales opportunities and meaningful business connections for women-led enterprises. Meanwhile, Armenian entrepreneurs engaged in discussions and masterclasses on business management, investment, and venture funding, gaining valuable insights to strengthen their entrepreneurial efforts.
Speaking about the significance of the initiative, Kaori Ishikawa, UN Women Country Representative in Georgia and Liaison for the South Caucasus, said the annual event has become an inspiring tradition across Europe and Central Asia, including in Georgia. She added, “This EXPO is a genuine joint effort – from development partners to private sector leaders – but at its very heart are the women entrepreneurs who trusted us, shared their challenges, and continue to shape this platform with their vision. Women entrepreneurs create jobs, generate income for families and communities, and bring innovation and sustainability to the economy, yet they still face barriers to finance, markets, and networks.”
The EXPO, initiated by UN Women and supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) and the European Union, was organised in partnership with several key institutions including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), TBC Bank, Crystal Microbank, MBC Microbank, the Georgian Farmers’ Association, Business and Technology University, and Expo Georgia.
This year’s edition in Georgia placed particular emphasis on green and sustainable products created by women entrepreneurs using recycled materials and environmentally conscious technologies. The event also featured a panel discussion, supported by the ADB, that focused on improving women’s financial inclusion and examining how private sector engagement can advance women’s economic empowerment.
The Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO 2025 was held as part of the Women’s Economic Empowerment component of the UN Women project “Good Governance for Gender Equality in Georgia”, funded by the Government of Norway.
In Armenia, 30 women entrepreneurs participated in the “Gateway to Europe: Armenia” event, a segment of the EXPO 2025, organised with UN Women’s support. The participants took part in an interactive workshop that provided practical guidance on pitching business ideas and securing investment. They gained valuable skills and renewed confidence to continue their entrepreneurial journeys.
The event also helped the Armenian participants build stronger connections with investors and potential business partners, reinforcing their ambitions to expand their ventures. Many of the women reported leaving the EXPO with enhanced motivation, practical strategies for growth, and a greater sense of inclusion within the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.
As the Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO continues to grow each year, its impact across the South Caucasus highlights the importance of inclusive platforms that enable women to innovate, build sustainable businesses, and strengthen their communities. Through collaboration between UN agencies, governments, and the private sector, initiatives like this are helping women entrepreneurs from Armenia and Georgia move closer to achieving long-term business success.
