Within the framework of cooperation between ASAN AI Hub of the Innovations Center operating under the State Agency for Citizen Services and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the INNOLAND Incubation and Acceleration Center, Azerbaijani startups have been accepted into the international “Central Eurasia Market Entry” (CEME) acceleration program aimed at entering the Kazakhstan market.

The physical phase of the “CEME” program, implemented by Astana Hub with the support of the Almaty Akimat, has already begun. As part of the 12-week program, participating startups will learn about the specifics of the Kazakhstan market, establish connections with potential customers and partners, adapt their products to local requirements, and explore opportunities for launching pilot projects.

The Azerbaijani startups participating in the program, “Park Hub Baku” and “Floume AI,” will work on expanding their technological solutions in international markets and establishing new business connections.

“Park Hub Baku” is a technology platform that brings together various parking facilities under a single mobile application and subscription model. Through a single subscription, users can access partner parking facilities, choose a plan that suits their needs, and find available parking spaces through the application. The platform aims to reduce drivers’ time and costs associated with parking, while also enabling parking operators to use available spaces more efficiently. Within the framework of the “CEME” program, “Park Hub Baku” will have the opportunity to expand its experience into the Kazakhstan market and explore the needs related to Almaty’s urban infrastructure.

“Floume AI” is an AI-powered online marketplace that brings together a wide range of gift options on a single platform. By entering their budget and preferences, users can use artificial intelligence to find a suitable bouquet of flowers or gift, compare products and prices from different stores, place orders, and track deliveries. Currently working with more than 50 partner stores, the platform has facilitated the delivery of more than 10,000 gifts. Participation in the “CEME” program represents an important milestone for “Floume AI” in establishing connections with new customers and partners in the Kazakhstan market, as well as exploring opportunities for further development of the platform.

In partnership with the INNOLAND Incubation and Acceleration Center, the “Innovation and Creativity Forum” was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Ganja.

The forum was jointly organized by the 2nd Ganja Regional ASAN Service Center, the Ganja-Dashkasan Regional Office of the Youth Development and Career Center, the Heydar Aliyev Center of Ganja, and the Ganja STEAM Center. Its aim was to support the development of innovative thinking and technological knowledge among young people.

Within the framework of the forum, with the participation of about 200 young people, panel discussions were held on the topics: “Startup Ecosystem – Global and Local Approaches,” “Artificial Intelligence: A New Form of Thinking,” and “Robots on Stage – The Union of Creativity and Technology.”

The discussions featured contributions from the Director of the INNOLAND Incubation and Acceleration Center, Nijat Amiraslanov, and the Deputy Head of the Project Management Department, Ziniddin Babayev, who shared their knowledge and experience with the participants.

The event concluded with official speeches and an award ceremony.

On January 10, 2019, Memorandum of Understanding was signed between INNOLAND Incubation and Acceleration Center, Next Step Innovation Center and SUP Startap Accelerator.

The memorandum covers joint cooperation on the promotion of Incubation and Acceleration projects, the provision of co-working services, and the conduct of educational programs for startups. It also includes an exchange of information and involvement in the organization of other mutual events to attract local and foreign investors.

The importance of the incubation service in establishing a sustainable startup ecosystem in our country, as well as the role of the acceleration service in shaping new national startup brands outside the country.