The event
In September 2026, Paris Norriss delivered a series of keynotes in Georgia, a country he had wanted to visit for years because of its deep, layered history.
- Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA): a session organised by Startupbootcamp Georgia, titled “Do You Dare to Lead?”, on what it takes to keep moving forward when pressure is high.
- Axel Business Angel Network: an evening hosted by Startupbootcamp Georgia and Axel, where Paris shared the mindset behind his toughest adventures with Axel’s angel investors, followed by pitches from three Startupbootcamp alumni start-ups.
- Caucasus University: a talk to students. “The future is in good hands,” Paris wrote.
- Kakheti workshop: on a cohort outing for Startupbootcamp’s Market Entry Cohort, funded by GITA, Paris led a Deals, Decisions and Influence workshop on a vineyard, on negotiation, decision-making and influence for founders entering new markets.
What Paris spoke about
On stage, Paris shared stories from his adventures and the principles behind them: the mindset to stay resilient, adapt and keep going when things don’t go to plan. Startupbootcamp described it as “a meaningful conversation about perseverance, resilience, and pushing beyond your comfort zone, filled with honest stories and practical takeaways.”
The audience
What Paris values most is what happens after he steps off stage. In Georgia, the audience turned the message back on him. Person after person told him about their own expeditions in the mountains. One young man said his love of adventure came straight from his father. “Grit is often something we inherit before it’s something we learn,” Paris wrote.
He reflected that resilience is something Georgians know well: a nation of around 3 million people that has kept its own language, alphabet and identity for millennia. “I came to teach. I left having learned.”
About The Grit Code keynote
The Grit Code is built on real stories from extreme environments. Paris rowed 4,800km across the Pacific Ocean in 2023 with the Brothers N Oars crew, a row that raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation. He also ran seven marathons on seven continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, in Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami.
From those experiences he draws practical lessons on purpose, vision, limiting beliefs, adapting a plan and keeping a clear head under pressure. He has delivered the keynote for audiences including the UN Tourism General Assembly, TEDx Amman, COP28, Expo 2020, DHL, Nokia, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Durlston Partners in London and Surfbreak in Honolulu. Every talk starts with a briefing call, so the stories connect to your theme, your industry and the challenges your people are facing right now.
“I came to teach. I left having learned.”
— Paris Norriss on LinkedIn
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Want Paris for your own conference or leadership event? Read more about The Grit Code, see more past speaking events or send an enquiry. Planning an event in the region? See Paris as a keynote speaker in Europe.
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