In Armenia's capital, Yerevan, young students are immersing themselves in tech education, from programming to robotics. Nine-year-old Slavik recently showcased his invention—an LED-lighted box he programmed himself. These innovations are part of the Armath program, founded in 2014, which has established 650 labs across schools nationwide, teaching students coding, engineering, and more.
Maria, a 21-year-old tech coach, highlights the program's focus on hands-on learning, enabling children to create everything from smart home devices to greenhouse automation models. With 17,000 students and over 600 coaches, Armath represents a successful public-private partnership with the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE) leading the charge for Armenia's tech future.
Sarkis Karapetyan, UATE's chief executive, envisions Armenia as a bustling hub for technology, stating that 4,000 tech companies currently operate in the country. By leveraging its historical strengths in mathematics, as seen in its Soviet-era legacy, Armenia is positioning itself as the tech center of the Caucasus.
Historically celebrated for its innovation, Armenia has produced noteworthy companies such as Picsart and Krisp, which have found international success. The country is ranked the best in the Caucasus for launching new companies and is home to a diaspora that boosts its technological aspirations. With around 1.6 million Armenians living abroad, their connections to Silicon Valley and beyond provide pathways for young entrepreneurs opening ventures in the U.S.
Startups like Dr Yan—an app facilitating healthcare accessibility—highlight Armenia's entrepreneurial spirit, as founders refine their products domestically before pursuing broader markets. The country’s tech scene gained notable momentum in 2022 following an influx of Russian IT professionals due to geopolitical tensions. This migration, coupled with Nvidia's establishment of a new office in Yerevan, has filled significant skill gaps in areas like cybersecurity and data management.
Yet, challenges remain; experts urge reduced taxes to retain talent in Armenia. Despite this, there is a prevailing optimism within the sector, as young innovators and established companies like Service Titan continue to propel the nation's tech landscape. With a commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and attracting foreign expertise, Armenia is carving a niche in the digital world.
Maria, a 21-year-old tech coach, highlights the program's focus on hands-on learning, enabling children to create everything from smart home devices to greenhouse automation models. With 17,000 students and over 600 coaches, Armath represents a successful public-private partnership with the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE) leading the charge for Armenia's tech future.
Sarkis Karapetyan, UATE's chief executive, envisions Armenia as a bustling hub for technology, stating that 4,000 tech companies currently operate in the country. By leveraging its historical strengths in mathematics, as seen in its Soviet-era legacy, Armenia is positioning itself as the tech center of the Caucasus.
Historically celebrated for its innovation, Armenia has produced noteworthy companies such as Picsart and Krisp, which have found international success. The country is ranked the best in the Caucasus for launching new companies and is home to a diaspora that boosts its technological aspirations. With around 1.6 million Armenians living abroad, their connections to Silicon Valley and beyond provide pathways for young entrepreneurs opening ventures in the U.S.
Startups like Dr Yan—an app facilitating healthcare accessibility—highlight Armenia's entrepreneurial spirit, as founders refine their products domestically before pursuing broader markets. The country’s tech scene gained notable momentum in 2022 following an influx of Russian IT professionals due to geopolitical tensions. This migration, coupled with Nvidia's establishment of a new office in Yerevan, has filled significant skill gaps in areas like cybersecurity and data management.
Yet, challenges remain; experts urge reduced taxes to retain talent in Armenia. Despite this, there is a prevailing optimism within the sector, as young innovators and established companies like Service Titan continue to propel the nation's tech landscape. With a commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and attracting foreign expertise, Armenia is carving a niche in the digital world.
