Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine among consumers of Armenian IT, open to mutually beneficial cooperation – Deputy Director General

From July 20 to 26, the 12th Sevan Startup Conference is taking place on the shores of Lake Sevan. Launched in 2016, this event has also been held in the UAE and India, and is now considered the largest startup gathering in the region, aimed at fostering startup growth and collaboration.

Unlike traditional conferences, the Sevan Startup Forum offers a relaxed, open-air, and informal setting, where discussions happen around campfires and deals are made  in a direct, casual atmosphere. The event brings together startup founders, investors and enthusiasts for networking and knowledge sharing.

A key component of the conference is its micro-acceleration program, designed to support early-stage startups. The event serves as a practical platform for forming investments and partnerships.

The conference opened with an educational segment, featuring a corresponding training program for participating startups. Attendees are divided into two groups: those in the idea stage and those in the growth stage. An incubation program is provided for startups in the idea stage, while the growth-stage teams take part in the micro-acceleration program, held in an open discussion format. Special focus is given to startups founded by students during their academic years.

Throughout the incubation program, participants build entrepreneurial knowledge which help them to showcase their progress at next year’s conference.

In addition to last year’s core events, industrial sector events were also organized for the first time: Sevan Agritech, an energy efficiency and entrepreneurship conference, and an electric car competition.

This year’s conference will feature new events dedicated to innovations in the wine industry, the financial sector, and climate change-related initiatives.

It is planned to organize a three-day event for programmers , during which participants will be presented with specific challenges. Over the following two days, they will work on creative solutions, with winners receiving awards at the closing ceremony.

This year’s Sevan Startup Conference features a prize fund of $100,000. Participants will receive varying amounts of prize money based on their performance. A total of 550 startups from Armenia and abroad submitted preliminary applications, of which 200 were selected to participate in the event’s programs. The conference has attracted more than 15,000 visitors.

Vardan Jhanyan, President of the Union of Miners and Metallurgists and First Deputy Director General of the Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine (ZCMC), took part in one of the panel discussions at the “Sevan Startup Conference 2025.”

In an interview with Armenpress, Jhanyan emphasized the connection between the mining and IT sectors, noting that ZCMC’s participation in the conference reflects its aim to fully digitalize its operations.

“We are implementing a large-scale program that will enable us to work and manage more efficiently. We will receive information in faster and more modern ways,” Jhanyan stated.

He added that the panel discussion he joined focused on solar energy. ZCMC, he said, is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable and sustainable electricity in the near future.

“We have already announced that the first step in this direction is to build our own 100-megawatt solar power plant. The project is currently in the implementation phase, and that’s why it’s particularly relevant for us to participate in discussions related to renewable energy.”

Jhanyan pointed out that Armenia’s natural conditions provide a strong foundation for renewable energy development.

“Armenia enjoys a high number of sunny days. Additionally, the mountainous terrain allows solar stations to operate more efficiently in cool climates,” he explained.

“Another factor is the landscape, which is favorable for the installation of hydroelectric power stations. These can store excess electricity produced during the day for use in the evening when demand is higher.”

He noted that renewable energy offers Armenia both economic advantages thus by providing cheaper and more accessible electricity and greater energy independence, given the country’s dependence on imported oil and gas.

“ZCMC is one of the pioneers in renewable energy development. As one of the largest electricity consumers, we must do everything we can to generate energy from local sources: solar, wind, and water. This will enhance Armenia’s competitiveness in global markets, and we hope to achieve our energy goals with our partners,” he said.

Regarding the Sevan Startup Conference, Jhanyan noted that ZCMC is a consumer of IT products and is actively seeking partnerships.

“For example, “Armenian Programs” is one of our partners. However, the Armenian IT sector is not yet able to offer high-quality enterprise management systems that German or American organizations have. We are working to close that gap through focused cooperation. So there  still work to be done to reach our goals,” he concluded.