27 June 2018

MIT-Azerbaijan Global Startup Lab Program has been launched

Recently, the opening ceremony of the first MIT-Azerbaijan Global Startup Lab program was held at ADA University with the support of SOCAR AQS LLC.

 

The main objective of the project is to contribute to the development of startups based on mobile/web-based applications (establishing new enterprises based on new technology and innovative ideas) and private entrepreneurship, and to organize intensive courses for students in entrepreneurship and computer programming.

 

The MIT competition committee has chosen the most talented 30 students among applicants of different higher education institutions and has provided them the right to attend a 7-week intensive course.

 

Notably, among the participants, along with the students of ADA University, Khazar University, Baku Engineering University, Baku High Oil School, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University and Baku State University, there are Azerbaijani students from well-known foreign universities. 

 

Dr. Hafiz Pashayev, the Chancellor of the ADA University, said that launch of the startup lab will give a significant boost to the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem development. “It is greatly pleased that young people studying at different universities in Azerbaijan, who have foreign languages skills and a high technical knowledge, come together at the MIT- Azerbaijan Global Startup Lab Program. In particular, it is commendable that the gender balance has been kept among the participants, and ladies actively participate in the course. ADA University Innovation Center will also enjoy the opportunity of having the startup lab at our university, by attracting its employees to the program, and gaining unique experience on developing ideas!”.

 

During this intensive course, you will learn the framework principles to improve your ideas. Thanks to this course, you will be able to enhance your ideas from the local and national levels to the global scope.

 

Our goal is to support the development of our country’s young innovative entrepreneurship environment through you!”.

 

Katherine Curiel, the Team Leader of the MIT-Azerbaijan Startup Lab Program, said that she was proud to be the first intensive course mentor of the startup lab in Azerbaijan. “Working as an MIT graduate in different countries, bringing the best practices and modern approaches to young people require great responsibility. I believe that Azerbaijani youth will benefit from this unique opportunity that was created for them. The outcome of this pilot project will give a great boost to the emergence of new initiatives and enhancement of new opportunities!”

 

It should be noted that in the course of training the participants will get an assistance in establishing a startup business. Young idea authors will meet with investors, representatives of Startup and Development Centers and leading organizations of the country’s startup ecosystem. Graduates can participate in the MIT global startup and idea contests. The Global Startup Lab Program will expand young entrepreneurs’ access to global finance, innovation, and startup ecosystems.

 

SOCAR AQS supports initiatives and programs aimed at increasing existing capacities to transform oil capital into human capital as a national drilling enterprise. SOCAR AQS implements the Summer Internship Program for the 3rd- and 4th-year students as well as master’s degree students. SOCAR AQS has established Student Scholarship for students studying in oil and gas faculties.

 

SOCAR AQS’s shareholders are SOCAR and Nobel Oil Services.