Prof. Annie Vashakmadze

Biography

Annie Vashakmadze is a tech diplomat and innovation design scientist whose work sits at the intersection of research, emerging technology, and international cooperation. She develops evidence-based frameworks that help institutions, startups, and governments turn scientific advances into market-ready solutions and durable cross-border partnerships.
She is a Research Scientist at the Kyoto Institute of Technology, a Partner at Located GK in Tokyo, and an Ambassador for the European Innovation Council (EIC). Her research and practice draw on systems thinking and human-centered innovation to examine how technology can build trust and collaboration between regions.
Previously, as Head of International Relations at Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency, she shaped national innovation policy and led international partnerships. Her more than ten years of experience span economic diplomacy, academic research, and startup mentorship, connecting founders and international firms to new markets across Georgia, Japan, Europe, and North America.
Annie also mentors founders and leads workshops on innovation, ecosystem design, and international scaling.