ArmInfo. From September 26 to September 30, a professional "Neruzh 3.0" repatriation program will be implemented in Dilijan, in which over 60 representatives of 30 start-up teams from around the world will take part. David Sahakyan, Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry, stated this in an interview with the First TV Channel of Armenia.
According to the deputy minister, the Armenian origin of the participants and the formed team are the main criteria for participation in the program, and during the selection process, preference will be given to those teams whose ideas are based on scientific development.
"Armenia is known as an IT outsourcing country, and we want to rebrand and become a product-creating country based on the scientific and technological potential that Armenia has historically had. And we are now trying to restore it. The main mission of the Neruzh program is to import the scientific thought and technological potential of the Diaspora to Armenia," Sahakyan said.
Speaking about the results of the program in previous years, the deputy head of the department emphasized the effectiveness of the latter. In this regard, he said that the start-ups participating in the Neruzh program are growing and representing Armenia at international platforms. "Seeing such efficiency, we decided to continue the implementation of this program," the deputy minister added. According to him, the grant fund at this stage is 45 million drams, but this is not the final amount, since negotiations with potential investors are still ongoing.
As Sahakyan explained, as a result of the implementation of the program, the winning teams undertake to develop their activities in Armenia within a year. "Considering the fact that it is profitable and interesting to work in the technological field in our country, the startup-winners of the previous Neruzh programs are still in Armenia," he shared.
It should be noted that the Neruzh program is a state program and is implemented by the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of Armenia and the My Step Foundation. The deadline for applying for participation is 31 August.
