YEREVAN, Armenia — On May 23, the American University of Armenia’s (AUA) Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center (EPIC) held its annual Demo Day, celebrating the culmination of its 16th Incubation Program. Held in Manoogian Hall, the event welcomed over 100 in-person attendees, with many more tuning in via livestream from around the world, including students and faculty, mentors, EPIC alumni, and startup supporters.
Demo Day marks the end of EPIC’s 15-week startup Incubation journey, during which early-stage teams evolve their ideas into validated business models using lean methodology, structured customer discovery, and personalized coaching. This season’s program featured 12 teams, with a notable focus on MedTech innovation, reflecting the growing presence of doctors and healthcare professionals in Armenia’s startup ecosystem.
The event opened with remarks by EPIC Director Dr. Michael Kouchakdjian, who spoke about the mission to foster impactful entrepreneurship and the role of Demo Day in showcasing startup talent. “This batch of startups showed a high level of focus and mission-driven thinking,” he said. “We were especially encouraged to see the rise of MedTech founders tackling serious health issues with technology. In addition, there were AUA student teams that represented multiple programs, from public health to computer science. The energy in Manoogian Hall was a testament to the passion and excitement in our Armenia startup ecosystem.”
Each startup took the stage to deliver a concise pitch in front of an engaged audience, followed by live Q&A sessions, which offered attendees the chance to pose questions directly to the founders.
The $1,000 Michael Agbabian EPIC Innovator Award went to Analiz, a MedTech startup led by a team of doctors and engineers who are rethinking how chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes are managed. By combining physical, mental, and behavioral health data, Analiz offers a holistic platform that does more than just track vitals — it helps patients understand the full picture of their health.
The $3,000 Michael Agbabian EPIC Seed Fund Award was awarded to Project Versus, which is on a mission to bring the excitement of online gaming into the real world. Project Versus taps into the same dopamine-driving mechanics used in social media and video games to make offline sports and games more engaging. The app helps you find opponents and teammates at your skill level, creating a gamified experience that keeps you coming back, not for likes or loot boxes, but for the joy of movement and healthy competition.
As always, Demo Day concluded with an interactive networking reception, where founders connected with guests, investors, and fellow innovators. For all EPIC graduates, the journey continues. The teams will now become resident startups, with ongoing access to EPIC’s workspace, community, and support.
EPIC’s next Incubation program batch will launch in fall 2025, with applications opening later this summer. In the meantime, EPIC remains actively engaged in nurturing early-stage talent through its pre-incubation initiatives, including the STRIVE and STRIVE Pre-U programs, as well as the community-favorite, two-day ideathon, EPIC Jam.
To stay informed about EPIC’s programs and opportunities, follow @epicaua or visit epic.aua.am.
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.
