We know the winner of the first Chapter of V4ATB – the primary European program for startups from Azerbaijan. Glorri is a smart workflow platform that helps companies optimize their talent processes. 9 other startups are still competing for their place in the Baku Grande Finale stage presence in 2023. The next Visegrad region technopolis – Prague – is now calling for applications of new startups.
On Thursday, April 7th, the first 10 excellent startups from Azerbaijan competed online in Warsaw for the first ticket to Azerbaijan-Visegrad program aiming to highlight Caspian top innovators and shape stronger bonds between startup ecosystems of Azerbaijan, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Hungary. “We believe that the combination of the potential of Azerbaijan's dynamically developing startup ecosystem and talented Azerbaijani innovators with the well-established potential of European economies and investors can bring great results in the form of interesting and innovative projects” – said Rafal Poborski, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Republic of Azerbaijan, at the opening of the meeting.
“Allinus, Braille Teach, DropbyDrop, Glorri, HitechLegal, Satelyzer, Skaut, SkyBee, Stubie, Yoochamp – all 10 projects deserve exceptional compliments for proving that Azerbaijan the place where leading-edge solutions are being developed, very competitive to global players'' – says Paulina Brym-Ciuba, Member of the Board of the Startup Hub Poland Foundation (SHP), Warsaw-based NGO supporting international startups willing to expand through Poland to worldwide markets. Brym-Ciuba’s organization is the leader of the consortium standing behind # V4ATB program. “I believe the other 9 companies will now demonstrate their top-notch quality and get to the final stages of our one year long European program. Yet, for now it is Glorri that got the highest marks from the Jury Board” – closes Brym-Ciuba.
Glorri is developing an integrated digital platform that helps businesses transform their talent processes with intelligent workflows. Glorri enables humans and machines to collaborate and make better and more informed decisions. Its product supports companies in triggering strategic actions for making the most talented employees even better. “We are very lucky we applied to #V4ATB! Of course, to win the first place is a super achievement, but the sole participation in the program is already a lot for those who want to scale up to the EU” – admits Anar Gasimli, the CEO of Glorri. "Bootcamps were practical and target-oriented, covering all the key topics for the startup. What I liked the most, was the jury feedback. To tackle the pitching challenge in front of so many investors was a great experience in terms of gaining self-confidence, and working on weak points" - said Anar Gasimli, CEO in Glorri. “Not only we have received a multilayer know-how about Poland market and explored development opportunities available in Warsaw, but first of all, we have met V4 investors interested in seeding startups” – Gasimli counts.
The V4-Azerbaijan Tech-Bridge program enjoys the support of all 4 Embassies of the EU Visegrad Region countries. This program consists of 8 online regional chapters which take place sequentially in the V4 most welcoming cities for startups.
Next chapter: Prague
After the success of Warsaw, the second chapter will be held online in Prague, the westernmost tech-city of the region. "Innovation cooperation is an emerging area of our partnership with Azerbaijan. We firmly believe that Prague Chapter will see talented Azerbaijani innovators with their interesting projects. I wish a fruitful competition to all participating startups." - says Milan Ekert, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The call for a project to the Prague Chapter has been recently announced. And the deadline is coming soon. AI Startup Incubator is the Program’s main Czech Republic partner. “We are thrilled to see some disruptive startups that can potentially show us Azerbaijani projects are worth the attention in 2022 and near future” – says Angelo Burgarello, Partner & Business Development Director at AI Startup Incubator. “The call for projects for the second chapter is already open at bit.ly/3LjDX2j. After the Warsaw Demo Day we expect another great startup event in Prague!” – Burgarello invites.
Read more about Partners at the Project website:
NGOs, venture capital funds, startup accelerators, incubators, and universities willing to join the program as a community partners are welcome to contact Startup Hub Poland, the #V4ATB organizer through this link.
The project is co-financed by the Governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.
