Wednesday, June 14 2023 15:59

ArmInfo. The Select Committee on California, Armenia and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural  Exchange chaired by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) held an informational hearing on Monday, June 12, 2023 titled California and Armenia: Trade, Technology and Travel Exchange.

Topics of discussion included the need for direct flights and increased air cargo capacity  between Los Angeles and Armenia, the California-Armenia Trade and  Services Desk, and technology incubators in the City of Glendale. 

  "We had an important conversation on how to improve trade and  technology exchanges between California and Armenia," stated Senator  Portantino. "We also discussed the need for establishing direct  flights between Yerevan and Los Angeles due to the large and vibrant  Armenian community in my district. I am thankful to all the  participants who provided testimony and critical insight on how  California can strengthen our economic relations with Armenia."

  The hearing began with an update on the California Trade and Services  Desk in Armenia. In 2019, Governor Newsom and Armenia's Foreign  Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan signed a Memorandum of Understanding  (MOU) at the Armenian Mission to the United Nations in New York City  formally establishing the California Trade and Services Desk in  Armenia. As the facilitator of the trade desk agreement, Senator  Portantino was in New York for the historic event. In 2021, the  Senator also represented California for the placement of the  California State Seal at Impact Hub in Yerevan. The Select  Committee's hearing provided an opportunity for representatives from  Impact Hub, the official host of the California Trade and Services  Desk, to give the State Senate an update on the economic developments  and opportunities that have been generated from the agreement. 

  Additionally, the hearing included a report from the City of Glendale  on its efforts to create a tech hub in Southern California. Glendale  was represented by Mayor Dan Brotman who detailed the local tech  scene and Glendale's Tech Week. 

  "I would like to thank Senator Portantino for holding an  informational hearing on how we can deepen our economic ties with  Armenia and Artsakh," stated Glendale City Mayor Dan Brotman. "I  would also like to thank him for entrusting Glendale with a  $1,000,000 grant to launch two technology accelerators, including  Hero House. By combining the great work of Hero House with our Tech  Week, Tech on Tap and other programs to support and connect  entrepreneurs from around the world, we hope to build a technology  ecosystem in Glendale that will strengthen the entire economy of Los  Angeles County and Southern California."

  The hearing provided the Select Committee with the opportunity to  hear directly from Hero House, a tech incubator who was the recipient  of a $500,000 state grant, about how it expended the state resources  and the positive outcomes it generated. Armine Galstyan, Managing  Director of Hero House, gave an impressive and detailed summary of  the economic activity stimulated by the grant.  

"In 2020, SmartGateVC received a $500K grant from the Governor's  Office of Business & Economic Development to establish a startup  accelerator in Glendale, California. SmartGateVC is an early-stage AI  fund focused on investing and launching promising companies in  California. The accelerator program in Glendale supported 33  companies from 10 countries, serving as a launch pad for their entry  into the US market. These companies have already raised over $6M in  funding, enabling them to establish operations in Glendale and some  even relocated their headquarters to Hero House Glendale. The program  garnered recognition for Hero House and supported companies in  prestigious publications such as Time Magazine, Forbes, and others.  Through strategic partnerships with local universities, research  labs, tech players, and corporate entities, SmartGateVC continues to  foster a collaborative environment for exploring technology and  innovation," stated Armine Galstyan, Principal at SmartGateVC.

The final topic of discussion centered around the need for a direct  flight from Los Angeles to Yerevan. The 25th State Senate District is  home to the largest concentration of Armenian Americans in LA County,  while California is home to the most Armenian Americans in the  country.  Armenia is popular destination for both travel and exchange  of goods. Currently, a number of airlines offer flights from  California to Armenia through transfers in other cities.  

  "Access to a global pool of amazing talent is key to the success of  any tech hub like Los Angeles. That's why connecting LA to Yerevan  with a direct flight makes complete sense and is long overdue. Over  the past year, dot818 has been working with major US airlines,  legislators, as well as LA-based tech companies with offices in  Armenia, such as Plat.AI, to make LAX-EVN a reality within the next  two years," stated David Tonoyan, CEO of Dot818, a  technology-building company. 

  At the request of Senator Portantino, the California State Senate  Rules Committee first established the historic Senate Select  Committee on California, Armenia, and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art, and  Cultural Exchange in 2017 to expand business opportunities through  trade, economic development, cultural awareness, and education  between California, Armenia, and Artsakh.

  Members of the Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia, and  Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange include Senator Bob  Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), Senator Mar¡a Elena Durazo (D-Los  Angeles), Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), Senator Brian W. Jones  (R-Santee), Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), Senator Henry I.  Stern (D-Los Angeles), Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco),  Senator Caroline Menjivar (D- San Fernando Valley), and Senator Scott   Wilk (R-Santa Clarita).