ArmInfo. DigiTec, the largest technology exhibition in the region, opened at the Meridian Exhibition Center. It is a significant event for both the Armenian tech community and the country as a whole. The event is organized by the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE).
In his welcoming remarks, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, Minister of High-Tech Industry of Armenia, noted that DigiTec is an opportunity to showcase Armenia's technological achievements and successes in the tech sector to the world and to outline future steps. Hayrapetyan shared important developments in the high-tech sector since last year's DigiTec. Specifically, he noted that on December 4, 2024, a new legislative package was adopted, providing for a seven-year program to support the high-tech industry, under which the Armenian government will allocate several hundred million dollars to assist companies in the industry during this period. According to him, another law was adopted in January 2025 aimed at improving customs regulations for dual-use goods and goods not used for military purposes. Hayrapetn noted that this should facilitate the development of engineering companies.
Continuing his review of initiatives implemented in 2025 aimed at developing the IT sector and high technology, he also mentioned the strategic memorandum signed on August 8 in Washington between Armenia and the United States, which aims to develop innovative partnerships in artificial intelligence and semiconductors. According to the minister, all this suggests that after the current Digitec, there will be new energy and motivation for consistent progress.
In turn, Alexander Yesayan, President of the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises, stated that Armenia is currently at the forefront of information technology development in the region. "I remember the days when my brother and I founded our first company in 1999 and participated in the very first Digitec when it was first founded. I remember how it seemed like just a dream back then: that one day Digitec would bring together guests not only from Armenia but from all over the world, from countries in our region. That it would become more than just a platform for Armenian IT companies to present their products, but an international platform where not only our achievements but also the future of technology would be discussed," said Yesayan.
He emphasized that despite the significant successes achieved over the past 25 years, we must not rest on our laurels. "We must move forward, because with the development of artificial intelligence, the IT industry is changing literally every day," he noted.
Frank Hess, Head of Cooperation at the EU Mission to Armenia, spoke at the event. He shared his memories of attending DigiTec, his first visit to Armenia four years ago. "Back then, the event was significantly different from what I see today. Now the exhibition has become larger in scale, both in terms of organization and content. I believe DigiTec has become the most important event in the field of technology and digital solutions not only in Armenia but in the entire region. This is undoubtedly a great achievement," he said. It is worth noting that over the course of three days, DigiTec will bring together technology leaders, visionaries, and innovators from around the world and will be held this year in a "technology exhibition + international conference + festival" format.
The top ten speakers include Rev Lebaredyan (USA), Vice President of NVIDIA, Omniverse; Jack McCauley (USA), Co-Founder of Oculus, Professor at the University of California, Berkeley; Noubar Afeyan (USA), Co-Founder and President of Moderna, Founder and Director of Flagship Pioneering; Lauri Antalaiinen (Estonia), President and Member of the Board of the EstBAN Business Angel Network; Niall Tellon (Ireland), Director of Imagine Communications Group; Alexander Yesayan (Armenia), Co-Founder of Firebird.ai, Intent.ai, President of the Union of Advanced Technology Companies UATE; Hovik Torkomyan (Netherlands), Founder of 36 Growth Marketing; Raffi Chakmakchian (Canada), Advisor to the Boards of Directors of Draft & Goal and Humanize, Inc.; Bahrom Ibrahimov (UK), Head of Molten East; Arman Obosyan (Georgia), Director of Skytel.
DigiTec is expected to break all previous records this year, with 30,000-40,000 visitors expected.
As a reminder, DigiTec's history began in 2005. Its inspiration came from the late Karen Vardanyan, the undisputed leader of the Armenian tech community and longtime director of UATE.
It's also worth noting that, according to Armenian statistics, revenue in Armenia's information technology (IT) sector amounted to 298.4 billion drams in the first half of 2025, a 25.6% increase from the same period last year.
