Kutaisi International University / ქუთაისის საერთაშორისო უნივერსიტეტი

What Kutaisi International University / ქუთაისის საერთაშორისო უნივერსიტეტი does

Kutaisi International University (KIU) is a state university located in Kutaisi, Georgia, that opened to its first cohort of students in 2020. It was established with capital support of over EUR 1 billion from the Cartu Foundation and operates under Georgian public law as a legal entity for public law. The university delivers English-language undergraduate, graduate (MSc), single-cycle (MD), and bachelor's programs in Computer Science, Mathematics & Applications, Management, Law, Medicine, Embedded Computing Systems, Finance & Information Management, and Intellectual Property & Entrepreneurship. Its core technology and academic content are co-developed with the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and TUM International GmbH under an operational model endorsed by an International Advisory Board; Prof. Dr. Wolfgang A. Herrmann, former TUM President, serves as Honorary President. KIU also operates double-degree pathways with the University of Naples Federico II (Medicine) and the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau/RPTU (Embedded Computing Systems), giving graduates diplomas from both KIU and the partner institution.

KIU's business model is tuition-driven, with international student tuition priced at approximately EUR 4,000 per year (and the BSc Mathematics program at EUR 3,220 per year), billed annually in EUR and converted to local currency using the National Bank of Georgia rate. Domestic Georgian students are admitted through the National Assessment and Examinations Center (NAEC) national entrance examinations, while international students are recruited through a dedicated international admissions process and an [email protected] channel. Go-to-market combines national exam-based enrollment, targeted international student recruitment, and partner-university exchange pathways. Pricing and enrollment data are partially disclosed on the university website, while consolidated revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Kutaisi International University / ქუთაისის საერთაშორისო უნივერსიტეტი

Legal name

Kutaisi International University

Website

https://kiu.edu.ge

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Kutaisi International University (KIU) is a Georgian state university in Kutaisi, founded in 2020 with EUR 1B+ backing from the Cartu Foundation. It delivers English-language undergraduate, graduate, and medical degree programs co-developed with the Technical University of Munich and European partner universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kutaisi

HQ country

Georgia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: KIU generates revenue primarily through tuition fees from undergraduate, master's, and single-cycle degree programs. International students pay tuition of 4,000 EUR per year, with additional living costs of 5,000 EUR annually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Kutaisi International University delivers English-language undergraduate (BSc/LL.B.), graduate (MSc), and single-cycle (MD) degree programs in fields such as Computer Science, Mathematics, Management, Law, Medicine, Embedded Computing Systems, Finance and Information Management, and Intellectual Property. Programs are co-developed with Technical University of Munich (TUM) and TUM International GmbH, with select double-degree tracks offered through the University of Naples Federico II and the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU). Students are recruited via Georgian national entrance examinations and an international admissions process, paying tuition (around 4,000 EUR/year for international students) to attend on-campus instruction in Kutaisi.

Product overview

Kutaisi International University (KIU) is a state university offering undergraduate (Bachelor's), graduate (Master's), and single-cycle degree programs primarily in English. The university operates in partnership with Technical University of Munich (TUM) and TUM International GmbH. Programs include Computer Science, Mathematics, Management, Law, Medicine, Embedded Computing Systems, and Finance and Information Management. The institution aims to become an international hub of education, science, and technology in the region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Computer Science, BSc Bachelor's degree program in Computer Science developed in partnership with TUM and TUM International, focusing on software engineering, research, and IT consultancy with modern infrastructure and international faculty. For prospective undergraduate students seeking globally competitive computer science education in English.
• Mathematics & Applications, BSc Bachelor's degree program in Mathematics with tracks in Foundations for Artificial Intelligence, Scientific Computing, and Financial Mathematics, developed in partnership with TUM. Tuition is 3,220 EUR per year including all teaching materials. For prospective undergraduate students.
• Management, BSc Bachelor's degree program in Management designed to prepare students for professional careers in business administration with interdisciplinary approaches. For prospective undergraduate students seeking business education taught in English at a TUM-partnered institution.
• Law, LL.B. Bachelor's degree program in Law offering training in legal theory with digital legal literacy, IT law, and international law components, taught in Georgian and English. For prospective undergraduate students.
• Medicine, MD Single-cycle Medical Doctor program in partnership with the University of Naples Federico II, offering 12 semesters of training with internationally recognized diplomas from both institutions and hands-on and theoretical training at the Italian partner university. Language of instruction is English. For prospective medical students seeking globally recognized medical education.
• Embedded Computing Systems, MSc Master's degree program in Embedded Computing Systems, a double-degree program with the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), covering IoT, automation, robotics, and cybersecurity with 120 ECTS credits. For prospective graduate students seeking international credentials in computer engineering, robotics, digital systems, smart energy systems, and IoT.
• Finance and Information Management, MSc Master's program in Finance and Information Management focusing on digital finance, financial management, information technology, and financial mathematics with entrepreneurial thinking. For prospective graduate students seeking specialization at the intersection of finance and IT.
• Intellectual Property, Innovations and Entrepreneurship, MSc Master's degree program in Intellectual Property, Innovations and Entrepreneurship covering IP management, innovation strategy, and entrepreneurial practices. For prospective graduate students.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates receive globally recognized diplomas from both KIU and partner institutions

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Technical University of Munich (TUM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020KIU collaborates with Technical University of Munich, the leading European university. The operational model of the university is developed in partnership with TUM and TUM International GmbH. Programs are developed in partnership with TUM and approved by the International Advisory Board.
• University of Naples Federico IIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Medical Doctor program offers double degree - students receive diplomas from both Kutaisi International University and the University of Naples Federico II. Students receive hands-on and theoretical training at the Italian partner university. Language of instruction is English.
• University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Embedded Computing Systems (ECSY) master's program offers double degree opportunity in cooperation with RPTU. Program combines advanced technological education, international experience, and industrial practice, giving graduates competitive edge in computer engineering, robotics, digital systems, smart energy systems, and IoT.
• TUM International GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperational model developed in partnership with TUM International GmbH. KIU's Honorary President is Prof. Dr. Wolfgang A. Herrmann, former President of TUM.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ilia State University: Ilia State University is a major Georgian research university in Tbilisi offering undergraduate and graduate programs, including in sciences and humanities. It is KIU's most direct domestic competitor for Georgian students and international applicants seeking English-language programs in Georgia.
• Nazarbayev University: Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan is a state-funded, English-language research university established with international partnerships to become a regional hub for higher education. Its operating model — government/foundation backing, Western partner universities, and English-medium instruction — closely mirrors KIU's positioning.
• Innopolis University: Innopolis University is a Russian tech-focused university specializing in computer science, robotics, and data science with English-language instruction and international faculty. It is comparable to KIU as a newer, English-medium, IT-focused university with international industry and academic partnerships.
• Tbilisi State University: Tbilisi State University is the oldest and largest university in Georgia, offering a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs. It is the dominant incumbent against which KIU must compete for domestic students and credibility in the Georgian higher-education market.
• Inha University in Tashkent: Inha University in Tashkent is a joint Korean-Uzbek university established through partnership with Inha University (South Korea), offering IT and business programs in English. Its international-university-in-CIS model and English-language tech focus are directly comparable to KIU's structure.
• German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech): GUtech is a higher education institution in Oman founded in partnership with RWTH Aachen and other German universities, offering German-style engineering and architecture programs in English. Its German-university partnership model, English-language instruction, and GCC/CIS-adjacent student market make it a structural analogue to KIU.
• Free University of Tbilisi: Free University of Tbilisi is a leading private Georgian university known for its English-language programs and international faculty. It competes with KIU for Georgian students seeking Western-style education and is a primary benchmark for international student recruitment within Georgia.
• University of Central Asia: The University of Central Asia is a multi-campus institution founded by the Aga Khan Development Network to serve mountain communities across Central Asia. Like KIU, it is a privately-funded, internationally-affiliated university serving an underserved region with English-medium programs.

Regional players

• Astana IT University: Astana IT University is a Kazakh state university focused on IT and digital skills with English-medium instruction. It is a regional peer for KIU's Computer Science and Embedded Computing Systems programs, competing for regional IT students.
• Almaty Management University: Almaty Management University is a Kazakh private university with international business and management programs. It serves a similar post-Soviet regional audience seeking Western-style business education and is a comparable regional peer for KIU's business and management programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/%E1%83%A5%E1%83%A3%E1%83%97%E1%83%90%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%A1%E1%83%90%E1%83%94%E1%83%A0%E1%83%97%E1%83%90%E1%83%A8%E1%83%9D%E1%83%A0%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1%E1%83%9D-%E1%83%A3%E1%83%9C%E1%83%98%E1%83%95%E1%83%94%E1%83%A0%E1%83%A1%E1%83%98%E1%83%A2%E1%83%94%E1%83%A2%E1%83%98-kutaisi-international-university

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kutaisi International University / ქუთაისის საერთაშორისო უნივერსიტეტი