Startup Ecosystem Player of the Year - Innostart

INNOSTART is a project supported by the Innovation and Digital Development Agency and organized by SUP.VC to strengthen the startup ecosystem in the regions of Azerbaijan. The project aims to help students, young people, and anyone interested in this field to develop their innovative ideas, provide information about the startup ecosystem, support them in transforming these ideas into successful startups, and encourage the formation of local communities. The INNOSTART project was first implemented in 2022, covering the cities of Sheki, Zagatala, Mingachevir, Ganja, Lankaran, and Sumgayit. In 2023, educational events for youth continued in these regions. In 2024, the INNOSTART project expanded its reach, organizing community events—informative meetings, discussions, trainings, panels, hackathons, incubation programs, and ultimately a regional innovation bootcamp—in other regions of the country. The newly included regions are Samukh, Goygol, Ganja, Astara, Jalilabad, Lerik, Masalli, Lankaran, Absheron, Gusar, Guba, Khachmaz, Gobustan, Ismayilli, Shamakhi, Sumgayit, Julfa-Ordubad, Babek, Sharur-Shahbuz-Sederek, and Nakhchivan.

Newcomer of the Year - Corpowid

Corpowid - is a digital accessibility widget for websites. With the help of our widget, you can provide functionality intended for users with disabilities, including epilepsy, dyslexia, limited vision, cognitive impairments, and other health limitations. We get news from the internet, communicate with friends on the internet, shop, and even make payments online. Unfortunately, the majority of global internet resources, more than 96%, are not suitable for disabled users, and 20% of global internet users are disabled. Our goal as Corpowid is to make internet resources accessible by providing equal rights to disabled users. In other words, making the internet accessible to everyone. Regardless of size, organization, or budget, we provide technological solutions to achieve accessibility functionality and digital accessibility for website owners.

Ecosystem MVP - Isa Gasimov

Since 2013, he has participated in various programs as an expert, mentor, trainer, speaker, jury member in the innovation ecosystem. The number of training and mentoring support listeners in different years is hundreds. He is co-organized lots of programs – ”Yeni Fikir” startup competition (since 2013), Smart Bridge, regional startup and incubation program, etc. Founder of "Yeni Fikir" and "Smart Bridge-(Technology, Business, Innovation)" projects, co-founder of Technology Transfer and Science Commercialization Platform. More than 1,000 startup projects were evaluated, including general development of about 100 startups, and provision of incubation services and seed investment to 40 startups.

Startup of the Year - Dosty

Dosty - is a comprehensive mobile app for pet parents, designed to help them manage the healthcare and lifestyle of their beloved pets

Digitalisation of the Year - ƏƏSMN yanında Dövlət Tibbi-Sosial Ekspertiza və Reabilitasiya Agentliyi

In connection with the implementation of the Decree No. 2317 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated September 6, 2023, "On some measures to improve activities in the field of medical certification of citizens called to active military service," the "Medical Certification" subsystem has been established to manage the processes related to the final medical evaluation of conscripts. Within the project, integrations have been established for electronic data exchange with the internal subsystems of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population (MLSPP) and relevant state institutions (State Service for Mobilization and Conscription (SSMC), State Agency for Mandatory Health Insurance (ITSDA), TABIB, and the Ministry of Health). The entire process, including electronic document signing, has been fully automated, ensuring the management of processes without paper documents. The referral form (Form-44) for conscripts undergoing final medical evaluation is received electronically from the SSMC’s information system. The system automatically assigns a queue, and when the conscript arrives at the center, the queue is activated. When the conscript's turn comes, they are directed to the appropriate physicians. The system manages the doctor's consultations, internal and external referrals for examinations (to TABIB and Ministry of Health facilities), the electronic receipt of examination results, issuance of medical opinions, referrals to medical evaluation commissions, and the formation of documents by commission members—all in a fully electronic environment. All documents and referrals are signed with the SİMA electronic signature.

Tech Influencer of the Year - Mirsaid Mirzazada

Skillbooster of the Year - SABAH. academy

It is a 4 month program which offers unique educational platform that aims to make Azerbaijan more sustainable in the global market. Knowledge of the most complex entrepreneurial processes is simplified here and made accessible to students and entrepreneurs. As a champion in creation a business-savvy generation of young people, Academy equips young talent with the entrepreneurial mindset and skills necessary for success in today's competitive business landscape.

Tech Event of the Year - II Aerokosmik Modelçilik Festivalı

Each year on April 12, in celebration of International Cosmonautics Day, the "Aerospace Modeling Festival" is organized at the initiative of the Support for the Development of New Technologies Public Association. The festival will consist of two rounds and will feature a total of 7 categories, specifically in rocket modeling: Streamer S3-A1, Streamer S-3A, Parachute S-6B, Rocketplane S-4C experimental rocket models, as well as FPV drones and airplane models. The event will also include an intellectual quiz and a demonstration of helicopter and airplane models in an airshow format. The Aerospace Modeling Festival provides participants with an opportunity to practically enhance their knowledge in aerodynamics, aerospace engineering, electronics, and mechanics as a technical sport. Traditionally, an exhibition of various hardware startups in this field is organized, attracting the attention of local private and public institutions. In this year's second Aerospace Modeling Festival, more than 1,200 spectators and nearly 200 registered participants took part. It is encouraging to note that 35% of this year's finalists were women. The main goal and direction of the festival's activities are to promote and develop rocket and satellite modeling sports in Azerbaijan and to increase the role of this technical sport in the comprehensive and harmonious development of innovative youth and the formation of a healthy lifestyle. High-tech rocket and satellite modeling combines intellectual activity and physical activity in a clean environment. The competitions are held both individually and in teams, based on the height and duration of the flight, as well as landing accuracy. The level of detail of the rocket or satellite and the realism of the flight are evaluated based on the corresponding competition level of the prepared models.

Technopark Resident of the Year - Crocusoft

Crocusoft is a software development company specializing in creating software solutions for local and foreign markets, established in 2015 with a young, innovative team. As one of the rapidly growing companies, we have participated in the digital organization of operations for companies, organizations, and government agencies across various industries during our 9 years of activity. Crocusoft offers solutions such as ERP, E-commerce, CRM, mobile applications, TMS, WMS, LMS, mobile loyalty applications, HRMS, and other solutions.

Community of the Year - ProductTank Baku

ProductTank Baku is part of a global network of meetups created by and for product professionals. It offers Product Managers in Baku a unique space to exchange ideas and insights on Product Design, Development, Management, Business Modelling, Metrics, User Experience, and more. The community fosters growth and knowledge-sharing, helping both the public and private sectors, as well as startups, efficiently connect with Product Owners. It also provides resources for individuals starting their journey as Product Owners and supports the skill development of those already in the role. ProductTank Baku is dedicated to increasing the potential of local Product Owners and actively contributes to the growth of the digital ecosystem in the region. Additionally, our active Telegram page (t.me/po_pm_community) serves as a hub for sharing updates on new products, trends in product management, job vacancies, questions, and even memes, keeping the community engaged and informed. Organizers of ProductTank Pune (India) and ProductTank Dubai have been our guests in Baku over the past year, sharing their global experiences with us.

Women in Tech of the Year - Gunel Imamguliyeva

As part of the University Student Scientific Society, I have organized more than 10 seminars, conferences, and Olympiads. I can provide more detailed information if needed. Mentor for the "CanSat 2023" – PiTech team – AACU Finalist Mentor for the "Engineering Hackathon" – AACU team Local Instructor for KOICA Participant in the "Viveka Mentorship" program organized by the Innovation and Digital Development Agency Entrepreneurship Trainer Program 2023 at Soongsil University – Innovation and Digital Development Agency, KOICA STEPİ-HTP, K-Innovation partnership program. Train the Trainers – Seoul, South Korea Facilitator for the "Innovative Funding Workshop" – Innovation and Digital Development Agency, KOICA Jury member for the Hult Prize at Baku Higher Oil School Served as a local mentor for 20 startups in KOICA training programs Mentor and organizer for a team of students from the "Civil Engineering" faculty at Istanbul Technical University during the "CivilCon" training sessions.