Grit keynotes for Tbilisi and Georgia’s start-up scene
In September 2026 Paris delivered a series of keynotes and workshops in Georgia for GITA and Startupbootcamp Georgia.
A nation that has kept its identity
Tbilisi is the capital and largest city of Georgia, a nation of around 3 million people that has kept its own language, alphabet and identity for millennia.
As Paris put it after his visit: “Grit is often something we inherit before it’s something we learn.”
Georgia’s start-up ecosystem, supported by GITA and Startupbootcamp Georgia, is building new companies with the same determination. The Grit Code speaks directly to founders, investors and students.
Who Paris speaks to in Tbilisi
Founders and accelerators
Paris spoke at a GITA session organised by Startupbootcamp Georgia, titled “Do You Dare to Lead?”.
Angel networks
He joined an Axel Business Angel Network evening with three Startupbootcamp alumni start-ups pitching.
Universities
He spoke to students at Caucasus University: “The future is in good hands”.
Market-entry cohorts
A vineyard workshop in Kakheti, “Deals, Decisions and Influence”, for GITA’s Market Entry Cohort.
Where Tbilisi meets
Paris’s September 2026 programme in Georgia combined keynotes, an investor evening, a university talk and a workshop in Kakheti.
- Universities and innovation hubs – where start-up programmes and student events are held
- Hotel and conference venues – across the capital
Ways to book Paris in Tbilisi
The Grit Code keynote (45–60 min) · Grit Deconstruction workshop (90 min to half day) · virtual keynote (30–45 min) · event host and MC. Compare formats →
Tested at sea, on the ice and on stage
7 marathons, 7 continents
Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
Rowed the Pacific
4,800 km in 2023, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
Read the full recap of Paris’s keynotes and workshops in Georgia. Georgia: GITA and Startupbootcamp recap
Past events in Tbilisi
- Georgia: Grit Keynotes for GITA and Startupbootcamp – September 2026 · Tbilisi and Kakheti, Georgia
Speaking in Tbilisi, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events in Tbilisi, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book speakers about three months ahead, so get in touch early to secure your date.
See also keynote speaker in Europe, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Tbilisi’s economy and who the talk is for
Tbilisi has a population of about 1,331,485 (2024 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Tbilisi is the head-office city for organisations such as Bank of Georgia (economics of banking).
Banking and financial services (Bank of Georgia). Financial services teams often ask for a keynote that respects their intelligence. The Grit Code uses real numbers (5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes for 7 marathons; 4,800 km rowed) to show how high performers manage risk, fatigue and decision-making under pressure.
Students, graduates and faculty
Higher education is part of Tbilisi’s talent pipeline, with institutions such as Georgian Technical University, Ilia State University and Tbilisi State Medical University. Paris’s talks for students and graduates focus on grit as a skill that can be learned, using his own expeditions as evidence.
Typical formats include welcome weeks, graduation events, entrepreneurship programmes and alumni dinners. University keynote speaker →
Other large venues in Tbilisi
For bigger audiences and set-piece events, Tbilisi venues include Olympic Palace.
Paris is comfortable on any stage, from an arena to a boardroom, and can also host the main stage as MC. Event host and MC →
How a Grit Code session works
- Each booking begins with a call about the audience and what success looks like after the event.
- The talk turns the 7-marathon challenge and the Pacific row into habits teams can use on Monday morning.
- A virtual version of 30–45 minutes is available for distributed teams.
The content is shaped around Tbilisi organisations and their goals, so the room hears examples that match its own challenges. Paris presents as an adventurer and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, not as a theorist.
Where the talk fits in Tbilisi
In Tbilisi, the most common bookings fall into a few groups:
- Annual company conferences and town halls.
- Change and transformation programmes, including AI adoption.
- Safety, wellbeing and performance days for operations teams.
- Charity dinners and community events, which Paris knows well as an ambassador for Gulf for Good.
Credentials at a glance
- In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
- He is the CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
- His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
- Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
Caucasus University, Tbilisi
Paris has given talks at Caucasus University in Tbilisi, Georgia. Organisers in Tbilisi can book The Grit Code for campus, corporate and conference audiences, in person or virtually.
He is CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, and his TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Tbilisi?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, start-up events, universities and company events in Tbilisi and across Georgia, in person or virtually.
Has Paris spoken in Georgia before?
Yes. He has given talks at Caucasus University in Tbilisi.
How far ahead should we book a Tbilisi event?
Organisers typically book speakers about three months ahead. Shorter notice is sometimes possible, so it is always worth asking.
Does Paris run workshops as well as keynotes?
Yes. In Georgia he ran the “Deals, Decisions and Influence” workshop for GITA’s Market Entry Cohort.
Which Tbilisi industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Tbilisi it suits banking and financial services audiences in particular, along with leadership teams, sales kick-offs and all-hands meetings in any industry.
Does Paris speak at universities in Tbilisi?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as Georgian Technical University and Ilia State University, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Tbilisi?
Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day and turns the keynote’s ideas into team habits and actions.
Can the keynote be delivered online for teams in Tbilisi?
Yes. A 30–45 minute virtual version is available for remote or hybrid audiences, delivered in your local time zone.
Who has Paris spoken for?
Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
Bring grit to your next Tbilisi event
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More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact