Barama Innovation Center operating in the frames of Azercell continues to support young start-ups and their ambitious projects
The final ceremony of the seminars series for young entrepreneurs under the Scientific and Technological Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) launched earlier in March by Azercell Telecom, Barama Innovation Center and U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation took place on December 13 at the Hyatt Regency hotel. Participants had the opportunity to present their business ideas in the field of information, mobile and green (environmental) technologies, as well as compete for grants to further develop and build their business. The representatives of the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation, as well as independent experts from the United States made presentations and reports in the field of information technologies. The purpose of this workshop was to support young entrepreneurs in realizing their ideas, as well as deepen their knowledge in the field of development of business strategies. At the end of the event, the participants presented their improved ideas in front of the international judges and the best of them were selected on the basis of a comparative assessment. Under the project, Azercell awarded the winners with cash prizes: 1st place – $10,000 (Shaig Muradov and Amid Guliyev for analytical social media project SocSet), 2nd place – $7,500 (Matanat Mehrabova for the Solar Panel project) and the 3rd place – $5,000 (Azer Aliyev for the corporate project Azikus).
U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation, Azercell’s partner in this project, has 17 years of experience in the implementation of technological projects in more than 30 countries in Eurasia, the Middle East, North Africa and South America through grants, technical resources and training to promote international scientific and technological cooperation. The new Scientific and Technological Entrepreneurship Program, established in cooperation of Barama and the U.S. CRDF, offers everyone a chance to transform the needs of society into business opportunities.
We would like to note, that the main objective of the STEP is to promote and support entrepreneurship in the field of technology in our country.
Barama Innovation Center of Azercell Telecom regularly collects different business ideas and provides an opportunity for their successful implementation. Thus, the Center creates better conditions for the full development of talented youth and pursues its activities under Azercell’s strategy on social responsibility and sustainable development.
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Azercell Telecom LLC was founded in 1996 and since the first years sustains a leading position on the market. Azercell introduced number of technological innovations in Azerbaijan: GSM technology, pre-paid mobile services, GPRS/EDGE (mobile internet), 24/7 Call Center, Azercell Express offices, mobile e-service ASAN imza (ASAN signature) and others. With 53% share of Azerbaijan’s mobile market Azercell’s network covers 99,8% of the country’s population. By the end of 2012 the number of Azercell’s subscribers reached 4,4 million people. In 2011 Azercell deployed 3G and in 2012 the fourth generation network – LTE. Azercell is the leader of Azerbaijan’s mobile communication industry and the biggest investor in the non-oil sector. Azercell is a part of TeliaSonera group of companies operating in 20 countries of the world with the total amount of 186 mln subscriptions and 27 000 employees.