DigiTec-2022 forum and exhibition kick off in Yerevan

The DigiTec-2022 forum and the DigiTec technological exhibition, which is considered the largest in the region, started today at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex in the Armenian capital Yerevan.

Alexandr Yesayan, Chairman of the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE) of Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Robert Khachatryan, Minister of High-Tech Industry of Armenia, German ambassador to Armenia Victor Richter, and several others made opening remarks at the forum.

High-Tech Industry Minister Robert Khachatryan in his opening remarks specifically mentioned:

"In the past years, we [i.e., Armenia] have had a great growth in the IT sector, we hope to continue this growth in the future, for which our ministry is developing various programs. Unfortunately, I can't present the exact numbers right now on how much growth we've had, but it's been significant compared to previous years. I want productive discussions. This year, with the support of the ministry, we tried to engage startup companies as well in the events, and we also invited startup companies from Georgia."

Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, also delivered opening remarks. She first welcomed the attendees, then noted that she was very happy to be present at such an event, and to have had the opportunity to communicate with the wonderful team of organizers. According to her, it is very important to understand how to make high technologies contribute to the development of human rights and democratic values.

She expressed hope that during the forum they will have the opportunity to see innovative companies and their solutions. Wiktorin noted that they need to promote high technologies and this forum is meant to contribute to that. According to her, technology is meant to educate and develop society, not to control it. Technologies can help organize more transparent and free elections and ensure transparency in public spheres and government, she said.

Armenian Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan, US Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien, EU Ambassador to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin, Founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering Company, Co-Founder and President of Moderna Company Noubar Afeyan, Co-Founder of Nine Blocks Capital Management Company and managing partner Henri Arslanian, founder of Activeloop company Davit Buniatyan, co-founder and general partner of Acrobator Ventures company Joachim Laqueur, and many others are attending this forum. In total, around 30 speakers from nine countries are participating. More than 800 participants have registered for the forum, and there are currently a limited number of places left.

"The agenda of the forum and the list of approved speakers are now final, and we are waiting for the event to take place," said Raffi Kassarjian, chairman of the DigiTec forum and CEO of Sensyan. "Our goal is to organize an international technological forum for ambitious tech countries, and I am confident that we are successfully accomplishing the task set before us."

In addition to the main forum program, there are also additional sessions for visitors with a Full Network Pass to the event. DigiTec has announced the first round of DigiTec Venture Capital Quick Meetings, which will take place on Saturday morning. Startup founders and CEOs with Full Network Pass tickets will have the opportunity to register for 15-minute pitch sessions with one of the five venture capitalists participating in the event.

Then the Granatus Ventures Impact Investment Forum will take place within the framework of the DigiTec-2022 forum. It is a unique meeting for startups, investors, and key players in the technology industry with high social, healthcare, and environmental impact. The purpose of this forum is to explore how technologies can solve the most complex problems of sustainable development on a global scale. The forum will kick off on Saturday at 2:30pm at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex.

The annual DigiTec technology exhibition will be open to visitors from 9am to 4pm, also at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex, until Sunday. This year, more than 120 local and international companies are participating in this exhibition, whose admission is free.

The DigiTec forum this year will consist of a series of panel discussions and will be distinguished by the participation of leading entrepreneurs, managers and researchers, as well as academic circles and the exchange of quality experience. The title of this forum is "Ambitious Tech: Resilience of open economies in the conditions of increasing instability of the world." You can visit the official website for details about this event.

DigiTec Expo is the largest technological event in the region, which every year since 2005 provides an opportunity for more than 100 IT companies to present their products and services. It is organized by the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE) of Armenia. The event scheduled for October 2022 was postponed due to the situation in Armenia as a result of Azerbaijan's aggression.