YEREVAN, Armenia — From September 6-7, the Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center (EPIC) at the American University of Armenia (AUA) successfully hosted the seventh edition of its popular EPIC Jam ideathon, marking the third consecutive year of this dynamic startup event. As part of EPIC’s startup program progression, which begins with the STRIVE pre-incubation program, continues through Jam, and culminates in the 15-week Incubation Program and Demo Day, this year’s Jam highlighted the growing strength of that pipeline. More than 60 percent of participants came through STRIVE, while many incoming first-year University students were already familiar with EPIC thanks to STRIVE Pre-U. There were many participants from local Armenian universities, as well, including Yerevan State University, the National Polytechnic University, Russian-Armenian University, and French University, among others. Sixty-five percent of participants were female.
Over two intensive days, participants experienced a full immersion into the startup idea generation and development process. The event opened with welcoming remarks and an orientation by EPIC Operations and Community Manager Anna Khachatryan, followed by dynamic team-building activities that set the tone for collaboration and networking. By midday, the various collaboration rooms buzzed with energy as newly formed teams brainstormed during an idea generation session, quickly transforming individual thoughts into collective concepts. The afternoon was devoted to developing those early sparks into concrete business ideas, guided by focused mentorship sessions where a dozen invited mentors, experts from different fields with entrepreneurial backgrounds, helped participants evaluate feasibility, market potential, and business design.
A distinctive feature of EPIC Jam is the role of its coaches, most of whom are upper-level AUA students and AUA graduates who have passed through EPIC’s own startup programs. Drawing on their firsthand experience in entrepreneurship, they are embedded into teams providing guidance, encouragement, and practical advice throughout the weekend, serving as both advisors and role models for the new participants.
On the second day, teams refined their concepts and joined a pitching workshop to prepare for the final stage of the Jam. After rehearsals, participants took the stage before an expert jury, presenting their visions and demonstrating just how far they had advanced in a single weekend.
“A 2023 survey (Startup Creation Beyond Hackathons, presented at the 13th International Conference on Software Business) found that about one in five hackathon participants went on to found a startup after the event. That shows just how powerful these experiences can be,” said Sofia Parsadanyan, EPIC Jam’s program coordinator. “You can attend lectures about entrepreneurship, you can read books, you can chat with your friends about startup ideas, but nothing compares to the life-like simulation that happens in a hackathon/ideathon like EPIC Jam. We hope that the spark of entrepreneurship and excitement that flared up during Jam can develop into real startups. This inspires us to continue growing this program.”
The pitching session concluded with the announcement of three standout teams. Mare claimed first place with its vision of a joyful digital hub empowering new mothers through curated content, artificial-intelligence (AI)-moderated communities, vetted childcare, and real-world meetups. TalentBridge took second place with a platform that connects students and young professionals to opportunities and to each other, enabling them to showcase projects, raise funds, and build valuable business relationships. Dressera secured third place with an AI-powered fashion assistant designed to digitalize wardrobes and provide personalized outfit suggestions, offering a smarter and more confident approach to everyday style.
“We always love seeing diverse ideas and problems represented in the winners’ lineup,” said Anahit Hovelyan, EPIC communications coordinator. “One of the key things we try to teach is that innovation can happen in any field. The problems for startups to solve are all around us; the real skill is learning how to spot them.”
The closing ceremony wrapped up an inspiring weekend that celebrated not only the winners, but also the collective creativity and determination of all participants. As a next step, the top three teams will fast-track into the EPIC Incubation Program selection pitching session, where they will compete for a place in EPIC’s 15-week program to further develop their ventures. Other Jam participants have also submitted applications with newly formed team structures and ideas, underscoring the role of the ideathon as a springboard into the broader EPIC pipeline.
Meanwhile, applications remain open for EPIC’s STRIVE pre-incubation program until September 30. Designed for aspiring entrepreneurs eager to learn how to recognize opportunities and turn them into startup concepts, STRIVE welcomes participants from all academic and professional backgrounds. It offers the perfect entry point into Armenia’s innovation ecosystem, preparing the next generation of founders who will go on to join EPIC Jam and beyond.
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.
