https://innews.media/uploads/news/2023-05/_innews_8b9b28aa53f2ff5e47ca0803d_o.jpg
The "Ecosystem Spring Meetup" event was organized by the Innovation and Digital Development Agency.
The event, which was attended by ecosystem players, representatives of the corporate sector, startups and foreign experts, featured discussions on opportunities and new challenges in local innovation. Among the speakers were Inara Valieva, Acting Chairman of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, Loukas Tzitzis, Head of IDDA International Business Development, IDDA Innovation and Tech Ecosystem Council Member, representative of the Diaspora Ventures, investor Marvin Liao, Sebastien Toupy, Chief Community Officer at Uniborn.
During the event, Inara Valiyeva informed about the work done by the Agency in the first quarter of 2023 in the direction of promoting the development of the innovation ecosystem and startups, as well as the programs and projects it supports.
"Our Agency develops the innovation ecosystem in 6 areas: development of human capital, development of tech entrepreneurship, promotion of the investment ecosystem, promotion of the innovation ecosystem, regulation of legislation and formation of infrastructure. Based on the work done in all these areas, we can say that IRIA is moving step by step toward its goals. For example, the Technest Scholarship Program for Human Capital Development provided 618 ICT scholarships in 2021 and more than 1,500 in 2022. There are 1,626 students in the first academic quarter of 2023, and another 1,500 will receive scholarships in September. At the same time, 60 people began an intensive cybersecurity training program at the Azerbaijani Cyber Security Center, established with the Israeli Technion Institute. Registration for the next wave of trainings continues”.
At the same time, Inara Valiyeva, speaking about the steps and prospects of the innovation ecosystem, said that these initiatives are important steps in the development of Azerbaijan as a local innovation center in the region.
“ Every step we take, every project we implement and support is designed to ensure the development of the country in this area and make it the main center in the region. We are pleased to state that 29 companies have already received resident rights for activities outside the technopark as residents of the technopark. These companies will be exempt from income and profits tax, dividends, property tax and land tax for 10 years. At the same time, they will be able to take advantage of the benefits and opportunities provided for social insurance benefits.
The investment ecosystem also passed through important milestones during this period. "Caucasus Ventures”, the first venture fund in the country, which we founded together with our partners last year, has already invested in 3 startups belonging to Azerbaijani founders, and 6 more are in the monitoring stage. At the same time, the Technowate Business Angels Club, supported by IRIA, made its first investment of $125,000”.
Loukas Tzitzis, who was among the speakers, talked about his arrival in Azerbaijan, the work to be done for the local ecosystem, and the opportunities in the joint activities with the Agency:
"Azerbaijan is already known in the global world. One of the most important things that few people are aware of today is the significant benefits that the new legislation provides and the high quality of life provided by the country. It was these factors and the strong IDDA team that motivated me to take advantage of this opportunity."
Sebastien Toupy followed up the event by providing extensive information on the nature of the recently introduced the ecosystem program "Founders Academy":
"Founders Academy" is the first exclusive training program in the world that gives startup representatives and ecosystem players the opportunity to participate in a 3-6 month paid internship program in Europe's largest "unicorn" companies and the most important ecosystem players. The goal of the program is to increase the number of highly qualified personnel and potential founders in the local ecosystem.
"The serious selection of candidates will begin with 2 days of intensive training in Baku, and the announcement will be shared with the ecosystem shortly."
Another new program, "Silicon Valley mentorship program", was introduced to the participants of the meeting by Marvin Liao. It was mentioned that the program provides access to world-class mentoring and expertise to local startups with the potential to grow and expand globally. The program that provides startups with regular online mentoring sessions is free, and applications are already accepted.
It should be noted that the main goal of these events, which will be held regularly, is to strengthen the relationship between ecosystem players and startups and the Agency, creating a platform for sharing experience and knowledge, achievements and plans.
