What Powers the Future? Discussing Robotic Manufacturing and Data Centers
GRA TechMeet × TechCrush: What Powers the Future?
Discussing Robotic Manufacturing and Data Centers
The Georgian Robotics Association (GRA) and TechCrush are presenting a new series of technology meetups designed to connect Georgia’s tech community with professionals, researchers, founders, and industry experts working across the world.
The series is built around a simple idea: create a recurring space where people in Georgia can hear directly from those who are actively shaping today’s and tomorrow’s technologies - not only through presentations, but through real conversations about their work, experience, career paths, current challenges, and the technologies transforming global industries.
The first event in the series, What Powers the Future?, will take place on October 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Iliauni Theatre in Tbilisi.This meetup will focus on two areas that form a critical part of modern technological infrastructure: robotic manufacturing and data centers.
The event is co-organized by the Iliauni Technology Entrepreneurship Center within the framework of project ELICIA, a winning project of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s EIT HEI Initiative.
Event Community partner is Startup Grind Tbilisi
From highly automated factories to the physical systems behind cloud computing and artificial intelligence, these two fields are changing how physical products are built and how the digital world operates at scale.
👥 Speakers
🎙️ Tamar Makharashvili, EMC Design Engineer at Google
🖥️ Discussion Topic: The Journey of a Data Packet
Tamar Makharashvili, Ph.D., is a Lead EMC Design Engineer in the Platforms Infrastructure Engineering (PIE) division at Google Cloud. In this role, she designs, optimizes, and delivers the robust, high-performance physical hardware infrastructure that powers Google’s global cloud ecosystem and next-generation AI systems. Tamar is a recognized subject matter expert in Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) design for high-speed communications, DC power distribution, and advanced rack-level architectures. Her work directly bridges the gap between complex physical-layer electrical engineering and high-density, data-center-scale deployments.
🎙️ Hayden Nielsen- Senior Technical Program Manager at Tesla
🤖 Discussion Topic: Robotics in Manufacturing
Hayden Nielsen is a Senior Technical Program Manager at Tesla, specializing in manufacturing innovations and industrial process optimization. He directs a $350M+ capital expenditure portfolio within Materials Engineering, overseeing cross-functional engineering teams and complex equipment integration. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Hayden leverages AI automation and advanced data analytics to modernize production frameworks. He holds a B.E. in Engineering/Industrial Management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
🎤 Moderator
The conversation will be moderated by Nana Dikhaminjia, engineer and Advisory Board Member of the Georgian Robotics Association.
Nana Dikhaminjia is a mathematician, technology leader, and advocate for inclusive innovation. She serves as Advisor to the Rector for Technology Development at the University of Georgia and is the founder of the Georgia Quantum Computing Association, as well as co-founder of small engineering company Clear Signal Solutions. Her work focuses on computer engineering, digital education, and expanding opportunities for women and young people in STEM. She has led several national and international technology education initiatives, including Technovation Girls Georgia. Nana is also Advisory Board Member of the Georgian Robotics Association.
💬 The event will not be limited to formal presentations. Participants will also have the opportunity to join the discussion, engage directly with the speakers, and ask questions about technology, engineering, industry, career development, and the realities of working in globally leading technology companies.
Event Details
📅 Sunday, October 25, 2026
🕛 12:00 PM
📍 Iliauni Theatre, 32 Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue, Tbilisi
🌐 Event language: English
🎟️ Participation is free of charge, but advance registration is required as places are limited.
If you register and later find that you are unable to attend, please let us know at least three days in advance, so that your place can be offered to another participant.
GRA TechMeet × TechCrush
People, experience, and technologies shaping the future.
📩 Info@gra.ge