EPIC Mentors Young Entrepreneurs at ASUE Gyumri

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On April 6, the Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center (EPIC) of the American University of Armenia (AUA) was at FocUs Incubator to mentor young entrepreneurs. FocUs Incubator is hosted by the Gyumri branch of the Armenian State University of Economics (ASUE).

As part of EPIC’s outreach and commitment to sharing expertise and experience, two EPIC team members traveled to Gyumri to participate in mentorship sessions organized by FocUs Incubator — a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to gain insights, network with experts, and be mentored by seasoned professionals. 

The FoCus Incubator two-month business training is organized within the scope of the Startup Armenia program at ASUE Gyumri branch. It is an educational business program aimed at supporting college-age youth to develop skills and acquire knowledge for launching and developing a successful startup. The program targets 15-19 year old individuals and groups who have business ideas, and creators of business models, entrepreneurs, and angel investors. The main components of the program include entrepreneurial education, team formation, mentorship, pitching, and access to investors. Experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts bring their unique experience to participants during program sessions.

EPIC’s involvement in the program serves as a testament to its commitment to support and empower the startup ecosystem beyond its borders. By sharing best practices and expertise, EPIC contributes to the growth and success of the broader startup community in Armenia. This is the second year that EPIC participated in the FocUs Incubator in Gyumri to conduct mentoring sessions for its startup teams. This year, 10 teams presented a diverse range of ideas, from an enterprise resource planning (ERP) in the local clothing business to agricultural development and management applications for farmers. 

It was a day of inspiration and idea-sharing, which provided teams with renewed motivation and energy to move forward with their ventures. Operations and Community Manager of EPIC Anna Khachatryan remarked, “It is always very inspiring to hear about the creative ideas of young startupers, see their enthusiasm, and be amazed by their endless desire to work hard. Hopefully, the teams will continue developing their ventures and get the most out of their incubation program. EPIC will continue to support them as needed.”

The Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center (EPIC) is a platform of the American University of Armenia (AUA) for promoting entrepreneurial education, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and startup venture incubation. EPIC provides an ecosystem for emerging entrepreneurs consisting of first-class facilities and collaborative workspace, programs and events, and a network of mentors, advisors, and investors. EPIC fosters the understanding and application of entrepreneurship in students and faculty at AUA to craft high-impact multidisciplinary ventures.