20 Armenian Startups to Collaborate with International Accelerators: Launch of the “Acceleration Program”

The international accelerator "Plug and Play Germany GmbH," selected as the winner of the RA Ministry of High-Tech Industry’s grant competition, will provide consulting services, business development support, network-building, innovation guidance, and individual mentoring to technology startups operating in Armenia.

The “Acceleration Program” launch ceremony took place on October 31, introducing the 20 startups selected from 119 applicants for the 26-week program. The chosen startups are TACTUN, Kerpak, The Fintch, EdMap, Prodmap, Doctor Yan, Biocentric, Wearify, Hirebee, Zegashop, Moby, Sestive, Hoviv, FiveBrane, Text'nPayMe, Doccy, Pearch.AI, CaseLens, doodooc, and LunarTech.

Ruben Simonyan, Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry, welcomed attendees and highlighted the program’s significance. “This provides Armenian startups with opportunities to access international markets, acquire new knowledge, enhance their products, and understand the workings of global companies. It also paves the way for them to compete on international stages,” he said. Simonyan noted that in November, 10 of the selected startups will travel to Silicon Valley to represent Armenia, forge connections, and promote their teams and products on global platforms.

Sascha Karimpour, Executive Director of Plug and Play Germany GmbH, also addressed the audience, stating, “Our mission in Armenia, initiated by the RA Ministry of High-Tech Industry, is to support startups in scaling to an international level by connecting them with major corporations and investors.” He emphasized that MHTI’s focus on establishing an international accelerator in Armenia aligns with the goal of strengthening the country’s startup ecosystem.

The event included remarks from Allen, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, and a video message from Saeed Amidi, CEO and Founder of Plug and Play. A panel discussion titled “How Disruptive Startups Contribute to the Growth of Emerging Markets” featured Ruben Simonyan, Plug and Play Senior Corporate Innovation Manager Alfredo Gomez Soria, and Program Mentor Dr. Fares Alaboud.

High-ranking officials, including Andrew Turner, Ambassador of Canada to Armenia, Ms. Nilakshi Saha Sinha, Ambassador of India to Armenia, and Honorary Consul of Estonia Aveink Ghukasyan, along with representatives from industry-leading companies, attended the event.

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Plug and Play is a globally recognized innovation platform and startup accelerator that connects startups, corporations, and investors to foster technological advancements and business growth. Active in multiple countries, Plug and Play partners with top organizations, including VISA, Roche, Jaguar Land Rover, Walmart, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Porsche, and Nissan, helping startups expand globally across various industries.

Plug and Play’s portfolio includes over 30 unicorn companies, such as PayPal, Dropbox, Honey, SoundHound, Rappi, CourseHero, Pinterest, and Pony.ai.

The contract between the RA Ministry of High-Tech Industry and Plug and Play Germany GmbH was signed on August 15, 2024, with a competition budget of AMD 336,000,000 (three hundred and thirty-six million).