In 2022, realizing the need for engagement of the intellectual and economic potential of the Armenian Diaspora in Armenia and the importance of promoting professional repatriation, the “My Step” Charitable Foundation and the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of Armenia jointly implemented the “Neruzh 3.0” Diaspora Tech Startup Program. The Program is open for tech startups, at least half of the founders of which are Diaspora Armenians and are ready to return to Armenia and start doing business in the homeland for at least a year in case they receive the grant.

The concluding stage of the Program in Armenia was held on 21-25 October 2022 at Dilijan Training Center of the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia, gathering 22 startups from Canada, Russia, France, Australia, the United States of America, Togo, Cyprus, Germany and Austria. Based on the results of the professional jury’s evaluation, the “Biocentric” startup (the startup creates opportunities for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to accelerate the process of receiving new remedies through the use of the innovative approaches to artificial intelligence) won 1^st place (AMD 20 mln), followed by “Reactive Science” startup in 2^nd place (AMD 15 mln) (the startup offered manufacturing of diagnostic laboratory reactive devices used in research on molecular biology, biochemistry and immunodiagnosis) and “ATMT” startup in 3^rd place (the startup offered the creation and software of a self-diagnosing device in the sector of digital medicine.

The three winning startups have established companies in Armenia, and grant contracts have been signed with each of them. For one year, the “My Step” Foundation and the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia continuously monitored the operation of the companies and recorded that the startups have successfully implemented all the actions envisaged by the grant contract and have made significant progress in the course of one year.

The Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia covered the expenses for the “Neruzh 3.0” Diaspora Tech Startup Program, and the representatives of the winning startups received their grants from the “My Step” Foundation.