On October 25, the official closing ceremony of the “Neruzh 3.0” Diaspora Startups program took place in Dilijan and was attended by Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia Robert Khachatryan and Executive Director of the “My Step” Foundation Mkhitar Hayrapetyan.
Wishing the startups with grants success, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan stated that he believes that their ideas will eventually turn into large companies.
“After the past two years, which were rather difficult and challenging, it was very important for the government and our compatriots working in the high-tech sector in the Diaspora to see the continuation, restart and rebirth of the “Neruzh” program. The participants gave life to the program by applying for participation and coming to Armenia. It is very important to emphasize that “Neruzh” is not just about grants. When we were considering this idea in 2018, we were not considering money and its factor in the axis. The “Neruzh” program has much more important shades and a much more important mission. Through this program, we are trying to strengthen Armenia’s bond with the Diaspora, and eventually turn their resettlement in the homeland into a reality, implement their ideas and establish a network of Diaspora Armenian professionals. For decades, it was accepted to consider Armenia as an emotional territory. Armenia is not just Mount Ararat, Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery or the tasty Armenian cuisine. Armenia is a land of opportunities. Our country is a modern state that provides more and more opportunities on a daily basis, and I would like for the participants of the “Neruzh” program to resume their activities with this conviction. I am certain that Armenia will open newer windows and doors for the participants of the “Neruzh” program in the future. I believe what the participants of the “Neruzh” program take from here will be important for the future,” Mkhitar Hayrapetyan said.
Robert Khachatryan greeted and congratulated the winners and all the participants of the program who deemed it important to apply and present, through this program, their projects which they plan to carry out in the homeland for Armenia’s advancement and development.
“We fully hope that the grant that the winners received will play an important role in their future activities and will provide new opportunities on the path to expansion of business initiatives. I would also like to emphasize the fact that the development of the startup ecosystem is on our ministry’s agenda, and we are working consistently in this direction. As for the other participants of the program who are not among the winners, I would like to inform them that the Ministry of High-Tech Industry is carrying out several programs that are targeted at the development of newly established companies and urge them to apply, participate, win, as well as advance their ideas and projects and turn them into a reality,” he said.
The minister also expressed gratitude to all the partners for carrying out the program through combined efforts.
Afterwards, Robert Khachatryan and Mkhitar Hayrapetyan handed certificates of participation over to all the participants of the program, and this was followed by an award ceremony.
Based on the evaluations of the jury, the “Biocentric” team won 1st place and received AMD 20,000,000, the “Reactive Science” team won 2nd place and received AMD 15,000,000, and the “ATMT” team won 3rd place and received AMD 10,000,000.
