2026 Silicon Mountains Summit & Expo 2026 is taking place in Yerevan. It is one of Armenia's leading technology platforms, bringing together representatives of international technology companies, startups, investors, the innovation community and government agencies. Founded by the Union of Employers of Information and Communication Technologies (UEICT), the platform has, over the years, become a forum for discussing the prospects for high-tech development, artificial intelligence, microelectronics, engineering and investment opportunities.

Technological development: a shared responsibility for government and business

Speaking at the opening of Silicon Mountains Summit & Expo 2026, Armen Baldryan, President of the Union of Employers of Information and Communication Technologies (UEICT), noted that the development of the technology sector should become a driver of growth for Armenia's entire economy. Achieving this requires simultaneously advancing education, supporting startups, attracting investment and expanding international cooperation.

He identified cooperation between the government and the private sector as one of the key prerequisites for technological development. According to him, this kind of cooperation underpins the successful development of technology companies and entire countries.

Baldryan thanked the Ministry of High-Tech Industry, which is now also responsible for artificial intelligence, for its cooperation with the union. He said he expected significant results from this cooperation over the next two to three years.

The UEICT president also addressed the startups exhibiting at the event, expressing the hope that within a few years their innovations would be showcased at major international forums and exhibitions.

Creating in Armenia, reaching the world: the minister on the technology sector's potential

For his part, Armenia's Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence, David Tadevosyan, noted that success in today's technology industry depends not only on the ability to create new products, but also on how quickly and flexibly ideas can be turned into practical solutions.

According to him, investing in innovation is, above all, investing in people, their knowledge and their ability to turn an idea into a practical result. The government, the minister stressed, must stand alongside startups, industry organizations and innovators.

Tadevosyan also noted that technology platforms like this help overcome psychological barriers associated with Armenia's small size and limited domestic market. Innovations developed in the country, he said, can target a global audience: “Your solid foundation is in Armenia, but the whole world is your market.”

From the regions to the global market: Silicon Mountains to expand Armenia's opportunities

Eduard Musayelyan, Executive Director of the Union of Employers of Information and Communication Technologies (UEICT), noted that Silicon Mountains should be more than just a meeting place for technology industry representatives: it should also be a space for building new partnerships, making investment decisions and creating growth opportunities for Armenian companies.

According to him, the main idea behind this year's summit, held under the slogan “Investing in Innovation,” is to identify the decisions that need to be made today so that Armenia's technological potential can become tangible achievements tomorrow.

Musayelyan recalled that over the years, Silicon Mountains events have attracted more than 10,000 participants, with over 100 local and international experts taking part as speakers. This year's program features more than 35 speakers. He stressed, however, that the platform's significance is defined not only by the number of participants, but also by the ideas, business contacts and solutions that are subsequently put into practice at companies and universities.

The UEICT executive director paid particular attention to the events' expanding geographical reach. Since 2024, Silicon Mountains has also been held in Armenia's regions. Tavush Province will be the next venue. Musayelyan emphasized that young people's opportunities should not depend on where they live: talented professionals from any city in the country should have the opportunity to learn, develop innovations and bring their own ideas to life.

Discussing technological priorities, he highlighted artificial intelligence, semiconductors, space technologies and new communications solutions. He stressed that turning human potential into tangible innovations requires quality education, a research environment, infrastructure and investment.

As an example, Musayelyan described a young engineer with a promising idea who needs a laboratory, an experienced mentor, initial funding and a first customer to bring it to life. The absence of any one of these links can prevent an idea from becoming a competitive product.

“We share a responsibility to make this journey possible—from idea to product, from research to market,” he said. According to Musayelyan, investing in innovation means not only providing financial capital, but also establishing laboratories, offering educational programs, sharing expertise, giving young teams their first contracts and developing international cooperation.

He devoted particular attention to microelectronics, describing it as a strategically important field for Armenia. The country has a strong engineering tradition, accumulated experience and skilled professionals. The next step is to turn this potential into proprietary technologies, competitive products and intellectual property created in Armenia.

Musayelyan stressed that the goal is to build a country where knowledge becomes competitive products, ideas become successful businesses, and young people see their future in Armenia. He concluded his speech with an appeal: “Let's build the country of our dreams together.”

Space, microelectronics and artificial intelligence: the international agenda at Silicon Mountains

The international program of Silicon Mountains 2026 brought together experts working at the forefront of technological change, from commercial space development and the advancement of the semiconductor industry to the use of artificial intelligence in science and telecommunications.

One of the keynote presentations was delivered by Dr. Kam Ghaffarian, co-founder and executive chairman of X-energy, Intuitive Machines, Axiom Space and Quantum Space, and recipient of the Global High-Tech Award 2026. In his talk, “Building the Space Future Together: The Path to Interstellar Travel,” he explored the prospects for advancing space technologies and expanding humanity's presence beyond Earth.

In his presentation, “Great Innovation. Is It Enough?”, Monty Mobile CEO Hassan Mansour examined what is needed to turn technological innovations into successful commercial solutions and why a product's novelty alone is not enough.

SEMI Europe President Laith Altimime devoted his presentation, “Europe's New Era: Navigating the Perfect Storm,” to the challenges facing Europe's semiconductor industry and its position amid global technological competition.

Armenian astrophysicist and STARMUS co-founder and creative director Garik Israelian delivered a presentation titled “How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Astrophysics,” exploring new opportunities for applying AI and machine learning in scientific research.

Another focus was the transformation of telecommunications infrastructure. In his presentation, “From Connectivity to Intelligence: Building an AI-Powered Future,” Ricardo Pinto, Nokia's Chief Technology Officer for Network Infrastructure in Europe, addressed the transition from traditional data networks to intelligent infrastructure in which AI becomes an integral part of managing and optimizing network processes.