Winners of the “Startup School 3” project by the Enterprise Azerbaijan portal have been announced

The “Green and Digital Silk Road” international acceleration program, organized under the “Startup School 3” initiative by the Enterprise Azerbaijan portal of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), concluded with a “Demo Day” event at the Azerbaijan Innovation Center. The event served as a significant platform to showcase the country’s innovation activities, startup ecosystem, and achievements in digital transformation.

The event opened with a startup exhibition. Thirty startup teams that reached the final stage of the acceleration program presented their projects at dedicated exhibition stands, drawing the attention of participants and the jury. The showcased projects spanned a wide range of innovative fields, including green energy, digital technologies, healthcare, agritech, artificial intelligence, edtech, tourism, chemical industry, and more. The jury evaluated the projects based on innovation, feasibility, team readiness, and commercialization potential, selecting the seven most promising startups for the next stage. Overall winners were also determined during this phase.

The next part of the event featured networking and official opening remarks. Key speakers included Prof. Vusal Gasimli, Executive Director of CAERC; Bahar Muradova, Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs; Farid Osmanov, Chairperson of the Board of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency; and Javid Abdullayev, Director of the Azerbaijan Renewable Energy Agency. They highlighted the development of Azerbaijan’s innovation ecosystem, support for startups, and the strengthening of international partnerships. Isa Gasimov, Head of the Enterprise Azerbaijan portal, provided a presentation on the program’s objectives, stages, and outcomes.

The seven selected startups - Agro Gemtin, Smart Bin, The Bioplastic, Green Guest, SoilCredit, Zeuph, and Science Delta - presented their projects in detail, demonstrating their innovation value, application areas, and potential impact. Following the presentations, Prof. Vusal Gasimli awarded certificates of appreciation to the jury members for their contributions. Representatives of the jury, including Murat Baday from Synapses Ventures and Gonca Kara from the A8 Acceleration Center, emphasized the program’s positive contributions to the regional innovation ecosystem.

The event concluded with the announcement of the winners. Third place, “The Bioplastic,” was announced by Nicat Mammadli, Advisor to the Ministry of Science and Education. Second place, “Smart Bin,” was announced by Urkhan Alakbarov, Rector of the Academy of Public Administration, and the award was presented by Indira Hajiyeva, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports. First place, “Agro Gemtin,” was announced and awarded by Prof. Vusal Gasimli, Executive Director of CAERC.

The “Startup School 3” initiative aims to support the growth of startups based on innovative ideas, promote the creation of new technological solutions in green and digital sectors, and strengthen international collaboration in these areas. By enhancing the knowledge, skills, and resources of participating startups, the program facilitates their integration into regional and global markets.