On August 14–15, a bootcamp titled “Investment Readiness” is being held in Baku within the framework of the “Central Asia+ Acceleration” program, organized with the support of the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR Azerbaijan) under the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the SABAH.HUB Innovation Center. The program is financed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

The main goal of the “Central Asia+ Acceleration” program is to enhance the international market access of high-potential, innovative startups in the region, prepare them for attracting investments, and support their development in areas such as marketing, financial planning, legal knowledge, and strategic guidance. This initiative also plays an important role in forming a science and Industry 4.0 cluster and stimulating the attraction of foreign talents to Azerbaijan, as outlined in the country’s Socio-Economic Development Strategy for 2022–2026.

In his opening remarks, Soltan Bayramov, Deputy Executive Director of C4IR Azerbaijan, emphasized that Azerbaijan’s growing potential in the digital economy is being further accelerated through such international programs.

“This program enables local and regional entrepreneurs to establish connections with investors, expand their startups, and collaborate with industrial players. The participation of startups from various countries also provides an opportunity to showcase Azerbaijan’s openness to international talent,” he stated.

He noted that this bootcamp demonstrates Azerbaijan’s capability to be an active player not only in the region but also in the technological future of Central Asia.

Heather Taylor-Strauss, Head of FDI Programs at UNESCAP, highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in fostering the growth of innovative startups and expanding their access to new markets. She expressed gratitude to C4IR Azerbaijan, SABAH.HUB, ITFC, GUIDE, and all regional partners for their support, emphasizing that this collaboration enhances the impact and relevance of these initiatives. She also commended the readiness and proactiveness of all participants in supporting their local innovation ecosystems.

Orkhan Abbasov, a Board Member of SABAH.HUB Innovation Center, praised the opportunities created by the program for the startup community. He noted that such initiatives provide not only mentorship and training but also real investment and global market access opportunities for young technology entrepreneurs. Later, the Sabah.city project was presented to participants, introducing facilities designed for both local and international startups and innovation ecosystems.

The two-day bootcamp brings together 14 startups from Central Asia and Azerbaijan. Through practical sessions, investor-startup role-playing, and presentations, participants will gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience based on real market scenarios.

The most successful participants of the program will earn the right to attend the JUMPSTARTER startup summit in Hong Kong in spring 2026, allowing them to directly engage with investors, technology companies, and innovation leaders from across Asia.

The “Central Asia+ Acceleration” program is supported by UNESCAP, ITFC, and GUIDE, an initiative development organization supporting startup ecosystem growth. The venture capital firm Gobi Partners serves as the program’s investment partner, while C4IR Azerbaijan acts as the implementing and strategic partner in Azerbaijan.