For the first time in Armenia, the Investor Tour was held as part of the World Congress on Innovation and Technology (WCIT2024/DigiTec). 35 investors from 12 countries arrived in Armenia to participate in an event aimed at exploring Armenian startups, companies, and investment opportunities.
Organized in collaboration with BANA Angels, this large-scale event achieved great success, providing Armenian startups with a unique opportunity to discover new financial opportunities and markets. The visiting international investors had the chance to attend WCIT2024/DigiTec, explore the conference grounds, and explore Armenia's vibrant startup ecosystem.
“WCIT2024/DigiTec, DigiTec Expo, and similar events create opportunities to showcase the local technological and innovative potential to international investors. By collaborating with BANA Angels, we were able to bring investors and startups closer, present the Armenian startup ecosystem and its developments, establish promising connections, and design new projects. I am convinced that such tours should be organized frequently and with the same high level of quality for the further development of the ecosystem,” said Sargis Karapetyan, CEO of the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE).
The investors had the opportunity to visit some of Armenia's unicorn startups, collaborate with entrepreneurs, and explore the innovative projects driving the region's growth. “We are delighted that in such a short period, we received significant interest from our international partners, who were eager to visit Armenia, explore the local startup ecosystem, and establish new connections. The Investor Tour was highly successful and took place in a very productive atmosphere. We already have concrete interest in deepening cooperation in several directions, and we are actively working towards that,” said Sona Veziryan, director of BANA Angels.
The cooperation with international investors can significantly enhance the global visibility of Armenian startups, fostering innovation and partnerships. This will not only help startups expand their geography but also ensure their competitiveness in the international market, contributing to economic development in the IT sector and helping them to scale.
As part of the Investor Tour, an LP/GP investment event was also held for international investors and fund managers. This event provided a platform for partners to meet, discuss fund operations, investment opportunities, and strategies, as well as foster collaboration and build long-term relationships.
At the event, Armenian venture capital (VC) companies were presented, and a panel discussion on international investments in Armenia took place, along with a presentation on Armenian startups and the local ecosystem. The LP/GP event was initiated by Armenian venture capital firms Formula VC, Granatus Ventures, and Big Story VC.
Specifically, Formula VC, Granatus Ventures, and Big Story VC shared insights about their investment strategies, key portfolio participants, and future visions. The presentations were followed by a panel discussion on international investments in Armenia, where international investors shared their views on the potential and challenges of investing in Armenia’s tech ecosystem. Ten Armenian startups conducted pitching sessions and held one-on-one meetings with investors.
"Armenia is rapidly becoming a hub for technology and innovation, and this event is a testament to the progress we are making. Through this event, we showcased the potential of Armenian startups and built connections between Armenian innovators and international investors. I am confident that this event will yield excellent results in the future," said Karen Vardanyan, General Partner of Formula VC.
From October 4-7, the most awaited technological event, of the year, WCIT2024/DigiTec, took place in Armenia at the Sport and Concert Complex after Karen Demirtchian, with the DigiTec Expo in the Meridian Expo Center. Under the headline “THE POWER OF MIND: AI Beyond Limits, Within Ethics,” WCIT 2024/DigiTec served as a global platform to amplify the impact of information technologies, emphasizing the importance of applied sciences, investments, and presence across diverse regions and economies.
