Winner of startup tour “From Idea to Business” in Lankaran determined

Next startup tour within the project “From Idea to Business” took place in Lankaran city.

The purpose of the startup tours organized jointly by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies and the Public Association “Regional Development” of Heydar Aliyev Foundation is to support the expansion of the startup movement and the implementation of innovative ideas of citizens. Tours take place with the organization of High-Tech Park, the State Fund for Development of Information Technologies and Microsoft. Company Azercell and the Public Association of Youth Movement “Javan” act as partners.

Along with Lankaran, about 100 young people from Astara, Masally, Lerik, Yardimly, Imishli, Jalilabad and other surrounding areas and cities participated in the startup tour that held in Heydar Aliyev Center in Lankaran.

Opening the event with introductory remarks, Director of High-Tech Park of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies Tural Kerimli informed the participants about the concept and objectives of the project “From Idea to Business”. Noting that thanks to the attention and care of the country’s leadership, the ecosystem of startups is developing, he called on young people with innovative ideas to be more resolute. The Director also said that necessary conditions have been created in the Center for Business Incubation of High-Tech Park for startuppers in order to assist them in the implementation of their projects.

Recalling in his speech about the position of the company represented by him on the global market, the representative of Microsoft Azerbaijan Rufat Azizov noted the great prospects of startup ideas.

The representative of AIESEC Azerbaijan Farid Aliyev made a presentation and spoke about international practices in the field of implementation of startup ideas. He also shared his opinion on the correct preparation of presentations, methods of drawing up a successful business plan.

Head of the project “Electronic University” of Lankaran State University, Mayis Eyniyev assessed the startup tour in Lankaran as a good chance for students of the educational institution he represented. Saying there are ample opportunities in our times, Mayis Eyniyev noted that taking advantage of this, innovative youth can become an active participant in the business environment.

Then an informative session was held for participants, during which information was provided on the preparation, discussion and presentation of business projects, as well as ways to form startup teams and ideas.

Moreover, the combat game “Height” (“Yüksəklik”) of CustomAR company, which was awarded a grant from the State Fund for Development of Information Technologies was also demonstrated.Note that “Height” is a combat game of virtual reality. The game is dedicated to our soldiers, who bravely fought against the enemy. The developers of the game were inspired by the height of Leletepa, which was heroically liberated from the occupation by our national army at the front line in April 2016.

In the interactive part, the mentors of the startup tour for Lankaran city held a competition and training on various topics for the participants.
Representatives of the High-Tech Park, the State Fund for Development of Information Technologies, Microsoft Azerbaijan, Azercell, AIESEC Azerbaijan, the Center for Development of Electronic Governance and Information Society, Azerbaijan Technical University acted as mentors.

After the trainings, 11 teams were formed with the active participation of the volunteers of the Public Association “Regional Development” of Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Each team was supervised by one mentor who trained them for the competition.Then there was a competition between the teams and they presented their ideas to the jury.

As a result of the competition, the winners of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places were determined. The first place was taken by the project Dis Rep, the second - Smart Səbət, the third - Time to go.

The winning projects won the right to participate in the National Finals that will take place in Baku.

It should be noted that the participants taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in the National Finals will be awarded by the organizers and partners and will have the opportunity to present their projects within the 24th Azerbaijan International Telecommunications, Innovations and High Technologies Exhibition and Conference Bakutel.

The next startup tours are planned to be held in Guba, Sheki, Ganja, Nakhchivan, Sumgayit and Baku. It should be recalled that the first startup tour was held in Mingachevir city. To participate in the tours, one must register on the website http://www.i2b.az”.