The day began in Gyumri with a visit to the Gyumri Technology Center (GTC), a hub for tech innovation and entrepreneurship, established by the the Government of Armenia, Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF), and the World Bank. The program participants got a chance to hear about Center’s role in developing technical and business skills, fostering technological entrepreneurship, and attracting foreign investment to Armenia’s second-largest city. They also learned about the Gyumri Information Technologies Center (GITC), which focuses on women’s economic empowerment.
A short walk from the GTC led delegates to Aregak Bakery, Armenia’s first inclusive cafe, where individuals with disabilities and their families work together. Delegates witnessed how the bakery fosters social inclusion and contributes to the local community, promoting inclusive employment and support for vulnerable groups.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited AI9, an international startup campus in Yerevan, which focuses on artificial intelligence and innovation. The campus aims to nurture collaboration and provide the tools, resources, and global connections needed to help Armenian tech startups scale internationally.
The next stop was Solaron, Armenia’s first manufacturer of solar panels, where the delegates learned about the country’s strides towards renewable energy.
The delegation also took advantage of the opportunity to visit DigiTec Expo, Armenia’s leading tech event organized by the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE), as it coincided with the dates of the ACE Program. Over 200 companies and startups showcased cutting-edge products and services across approximately 10,000 square meters of exhibition space.
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The program concluded with a closing ceremony, where participants received certificates of participation, and several cooperation memorandums were signed. The State of Illinois was announced as the next host of the ACE Program.
The five-day Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) Program in Armenia showcased the country’s rapid advancements in high-tech, education, innovation, tourism, agriculture and sustainable development. As the delegation bid farewell, the true potential for continued collaboration and partnership between Armenia and the Americas was clearer than ever.
