National finals winners of startup tours “From Idea to Business” determined

The finals of startup tours held within the framework of the project "From Idea to Business" took place.
 
The final ceremony, held at Heydar Aliyev Center as part of the Innovation Week, was attended by officials, ministers, heads of universities, startuppers and students.
 
At first, the guests familiarized themselves with innovative products and services at the exhibition InnoExpo organized by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies, as well as postage stamps and souvenirs at the stand of Azermarka LLC.
 
Then the final stage of the stratup tour began. First of all, a video on a startup marathon covering 8 regions of the country was shown.
 
Having greeted the participants of the event, presenter Murad Dadashov  gave the floor to  Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies Ramin Guluzade.
 
Expressing gratitude to the Regional Development Public Association of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Azerbaijan Youth Foundation, the UN Development Programme and Microsoft and Azercell, as well as heads of universities for the project support and the conditions created, the Minister noted that during 7 months the startup held in selected cities and regions of the country, was   attended by over 2 thousand people. In general, 75 teams took part in the tours, 15 of which gained the right to participate in the national final.
 
"Within the framework of the project "From Idea to Business" startup tours were held in 16 higher educational institutions, 3 general educational institutions of the country. We are very pleased that our young people and students show great interest in innovative development. Because in the modern era there is a great need for young people with innovative thinking. That is exactly why special importance is attached to raising the intellectual level of young people in our country, their involvement in education, innovation, new technologies and competitive knowledge.
 
 Today's event indicates that our young people use information technologies, the Internet, not only for entertainment, for acquiring of knowledge, but also for implementing their own business ideas. As you know, one of the activities of the ministry is to support innovative development. The ministry supports startups in the implementation of business ideas through the State Fund for Development of Information Technologies and the High-Tech Park. Various projects, trainings and contests are held for the expansion of the startup movement, development of innovative thinking among young people, their active involvement in this process", Ramin Guluzade said.
 
The Minister also recalled the establishment of the ICT Investor Club, coordinated by the Ministry within the project. The main activities of the Investor Club will be the improvement of investment climate in the ICT field and the proper allocation of private investment, the integration of new technologies into the domestic economy, and the expansion of the use of research and innovation.
 
"This club can also support startups in the implementation of ideas. We will continue our activities in the direction of further expanding the startup movement, the formation and development of the innovation ecosystem in the country," Ramin Guluzade added.
 
Then the Minister wished success to the teams that will compete in the final.
 
Then all 15 finalists presented their projects to the jury and answered questions.
 
Following the presentations, all the teams were awarded certificates for their active participation in startup tours.
 
By the decision of the jury, teams Gonex (first place), Smart Reaktor (second place), and Noahland (third place) were declared   winners of the startup tours.
 
Gonex is a project of Baku Engineering University. It is a unique platform for working on real projects online and gaining experience.
 
The project of representatives of Sumgayit Smart Reaktor provides for obtaining alternative energy from waste.
 
The project of representatives of Nakhchivan Noahland is a single portal with information about extreme sports and sports camps.
 
The teams that took the first, second and third places were awarded money prizes  in the amount of 10,000 AZN, 5000 AZN, 2,500 AZN, respectively.
 
Thus, the project "Mayak" was selected as favourite  by Azercell, "Rescue Bracelet" by Microsoft Azerbaijan, "Sheki  Tur", and "Guide to" by Kapital Bank and  were awarded.
 
At the same time, the creators of  "Mayak" project received an invitation to visit Azerbaijan Youth Foundation to discuss the development prospects of this project.
 
The winners of the national finals will be able to present their projects at the 24th international exhibition and conference "Telecommunications, Innovations and High Technologies" Bakutel to be held on December 4-7.
 
Startup tours within the framework of the project "From Idea to Business" are planned to continue in the years to come.