January 8, 2019, the presentation of the Acceleration of Startups in Agricultural Technologies program, which will be implemented by the INNOLAND Incubation and Acceleration Center of the State Agency for Citizen Services and Social Innovations under the President of Azerbaijan, with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan.

The event was addressed by the Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan on innovations Shabnam Mamedova, who noted in her speech that the use of innovations in the agricultural sector had already begun. Among the activities, the Acceleration program will be implemented during the first this year. The program applications has already been announced, which will last until January 20.

At the same time, Sh. Mamedova stressed that support is also provided for start-ups whose technologies and innovations can be applied in other areas.

The event discussed prospects for cooperation between the parties. It was also proposed to conduct incentive and stimulating activities for owners of ideas in the field of agriculture.

Note that INNOLAND is an incubation, acceleration and research center created for the development of the private sector in Azerbaijan, as well as outside, to encourage innovation and expand the startup movement. INNOLAND consists of a coworking center, incubation, acceleration, and the IT Training and Education Center.

On March 17, memorandum of understanding signed between "Innovations Center" LLC (INNOLAND), which is subordinate to the State Agency for Citizens Service and Social Innovations under the President of The Republic of Azerbaijan, and “Yeni Fikir” LLC. The purpose of the Memorandum is to support entrepreneurship ecosystems for technological startups in our country and in the regions of Azerbaijan and to implement a high-level partnership that serves the needs of emerging (or other) technology entrepreneurs.

The document, along with the formation and development of technology entrepreneurship, also reflects cooperation issues related to the strengthening of business initiatives. Thus, the content of the Memorandum reflects the factors that are being estimated for the establishment and development of innovation ecosystems in our country, as well as business initiatives.

"Innovations Center" LLC (INNOLAND) cooperates with local and international organizations in accordance with the strategy of the development of innovation ecosystem in our country and in the region, as well as for the development of technology entrepreneurship (startups). As one of such organizations, "Yeni Fikir" LLC is one of the companies operating in the intellectual sector in Azerbaijan and having a specific role in the formation of startup culture.

Thus, the "Yeni Fikir" startup competition, which was held for the sixth time this year, is being implemented by "Yeni Fikir" LLC, sponsored by BP, the Baku Engineering University. The company "Yeni Fikir" cooperates with "Innovations Center" LLC (INNOLAND) in organizing the same startup competition. Five startup projects that will win the competition.

The development of five startup projects that will win the competition will also be supported at the Innoland Incubation and Acceleration Center.

"INNOLAND" Incubation and Acceleration Center of the State Agency for Citizen Services and Social Innovations under the President of Azerbaijan will start a Joint Acceleration Program with AzerGold CJSC. The goal is to bring together the precious metal industry's most emerging startups to stimulate inter-industry innovation, increase the effectiveness of processes and establish a new standard for this industry in Azerbaijan and the region. 

The startups eligible for this batch can be focused on:

• optimizing processes

• enhancing capabilities

• enhancing skills

• utilizing leading technologies

 within the precious metal industry and provide solutions that can be adapted to the needs of AzerGold CJSC. 

Along with innovative solutions for the precious metal industry, startups can offer solutions suitable for AzerGold’s organizational needs including:

• Mining

• Industrial

• Geology

• HR 

• Database / Digitalization

• Legal

• Finance

• Ecology

• HSE, etc

Criteria 

Other than being relevant to AzerGold CJSC’s activities, the selection criteria include:

1.Team: Minimum 2 People (No solo founders)

2. Minimum physical full-time presence on-site 1 Team member with good knowledge of English

3. Product: Developed or are developing a minimum viable product (MVP), Proof of concept

4. Market: Identified market and target segments

5. Pitch Deck needed 

6. Qualification and experience in the field of precious metals will be considered as a big advantage

7. Research for export opportunities and readiness to enter new markets

For registration: https://forms.gle/8YqYx6mh6d1J7sXd8