Farid Osmanov: Innostart Program has engaged over 2,000 young people in innovation ecosystem in districts

The Innostart program, implemented with the support of the Agency for Innovation and Digital Development (IRIA), has engaged over 2,000 young people in the regions in the innovation ecosystem, agency’s chairman, Farid Osmanov, said at the project’s final event.

He noted that over the past three years, the program, organized with the support of IRIA and SUP.VC, has actively promoted innovation activities in the regions. In 2024–2025, it covered 4 districts, 20 cities, and one district.

“As part of the project, 32 educational events, 8 hackathons, 8 incubation programs, and 4 regional Demo Days were held. More than 2,000 people participated in total. At the hackathons, 116 teams presented their ideas and MVPs (minimum viable products), of which 24 projects received a prize fund of 60,000 manat. Subsequently, 35 teams were involved in incubation programs, resulting in 29 MVPs being developed, and one team received a ‘Startup Certificate,’” Osmanov noted.

He stated that İnnostart not only supports new initiatives but also helps foster an innovation culture in the regions. “Every startup and every new mentor is a contribution to the development of the country’s innovation economy. We are always nearby and ready to support your ideas and their sustainable development,” Osmanov emphasized.