The semifinal stage of the “Digital Startup Awards” competition has been held in Azerbaijan

In partnership with “INNOLAND” Incubation and Acceleration Center and “Sabah Hub,” the Azerbaijani semifinal of the international “Digital Startup Awards” competition in the “Best Startup Project” category was successfully held.

Twenty innovative startup projects representing Azerbaijan took part in the semifinal. The startup teams presented their projects to the jury, where they were evaluated based on criteria such as business model, technological innovation, and market potential.

The “Digital Startup Awards” program is an international initiative that fosters a multi-level development mechanism within the region’s startup ecosystem and is distinguished by its stage-based selection process. In the “Best Startup Project” category—one of the three main stages of the program—two projects, “StarKidsStories” and “Tryverse,” were announced as winners.

“StarKidsStories” is an innovative startup that creates personalized children’s storybooks using artificial intelligence technologies. The project stands out for its scalable model and strong profit potential.

“Tryverse” is a platform that combines 3D and augmented reality (AR) technologies to enhance online sales of physical products.

These two startup projects have earned the opportunity to represent Azerbaijan in the international final to be held in Uzbekistan, where they will compete with the most promising startups from nine countries.

The startups selected for the semifinal stage were chosen from nearly 100 applications and evaluated by distinguished jury members and experts, including Dalerkhon Nodirov (Deputy Director of IT Park Ventures), Mubariz Shahbazli (Head of the UNEC Startup Incubator), and Masud Alisoy (Investment Specialist representing the Sabah Foundation). Mr. Elshad Mammadzada (Executive Director of Akademi Group), representing the INNOLAND Incubation and Acceleration Center, evaluated the EdTech startups as an expert judge in educational innovation.

Overall, more than 150 startups from Azerbaijan applied for the competition. The “Digital Startup Awards” program is organized by “StartupBase,” an innovation platform of IT Park Uzbekistan. The program aims to promote digital innovation, support the development of the startup ecosystem across Central Asia and the Caucasus, and create opportunities for young entrepreneurs to gain international recognition.

As part of the DOST Agency's "Volunteer DOST" program, a successful familiarization visit of young volunteers to the "INNOLAND" Incubation and Acceleration Center took place! 
Participants gained insight into the startup ecosystem, learned about the stages of turning ideas into businesses, and received information about the operation of the innovation environment.

A meeting was held at the “Innovation Center” with representatives of the High Technologies Park.
Vusal Rustamov, Director of the “Innovation Center” of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with a delegation led by Nihat Majidov, Chief Executive Officer of the High Technologies Park of the Ministry of Science and Education.

During the meeting, the activities of the “Innovation Center” and the High Technologies Park, the “SABAH.city” innovation township project, as well as potential areas of cooperation were discussed.
The parties reviewed opportunities for joint activities aimed at the development of the innovation ecosystem, enhancing the knowledge and skills of young people in the field of high technologies, and supporting startup projects.

As part of the meeting, the guests also visited the “INNOLAND” Incubation and Acceleration Center, iLab, ASAN Innovative Development Center, and the “Bilim Azerbaijan” project.
They were provided with detailed information about the projects implemented by these centers, resident startups, and innovative initiatives.