On October 9-10, 2015 CRDF Global and the Enterprise Incubator Foundation will host a two-day Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) Boot Camp at the Marriott Tsakhadzor. The boot camp will be an intense and interactive program of training and heavy mentoring by serial entrepreneurs and business development experts from the U.S., to spark innovative thinking and trigger the creation of new startups among promising “idea” and/or “early” stage technology entrepreneurs. It is designed to provide participants with the tools and techniques required to formulate and articulate a new venture or product or grow an existing one.
The boot camp will be conducted by noted serial entrepreneurs from the U.S. and recognized business development experts. Their consultations will help to prepare participants for the first round of investment. Experts include:
- Ms. Catherine Mannick, General Counsel & Chief Administrative Officer, AcadiaSoft, Inc.
- Gonçalo Amorim, executive Director, MIT Portugal Program - Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative
- Irina Mitchell, Program Manager at U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation
The participants will be coached on how to select the best strategy for taking their technologies to market, for gaining customers and how to raise funds for their ventures. Through team work, interactive sessions and group assignments, the boot camp will provide a creative and informal working environment where the participants will brainstorm with the U.S. mentors and their peers to validate their potential and existing products and gain a better grasp of their niche markets and appropriate business strategies. Along with U.S. experts, prominent representatives of Armenian private sector will also deliver mentoring and consultations to the participants.
On October 12, 2015, parallel to the ArmTech ’15- the 8th Global Armenian High Tech Business Conference, the annual Venture Forum of Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) will be held at Armenia Marriott Hotel, where 25 investment propositions developed by Armenian startup teams will be pitched in the framework of “From Idea to Market” Grant competition within STEP. It is a unique opportunity to meet the most innovative Armenian teams and hear them pitch their technologies in front of US-Armenian panel of jurors.
About STEP
STEP launched in Armenia in 2006 and has trained and funded hundreds of innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs since then. STEP was among earliest S&T entrepreneurship support programs in Armenia, providing a unique contribution to building techno-entrepreneurial culture in Armenia. Among the program’s benefits for individual participants and Armenia’s economy are:
- Increased awareness of technology entrepreneurship in Armenia
- Strengthened communication between S&T and the private sector
- Identification and selection of promising local technologies
- Global opportunities for early stage companies
- Access to a high caliber business mentor network comprised of successful US and local entrepreneurs, practicing venture capitalists, angel investors, and technology commercialization experts.
- 500+ scientists and entrepreneurs involved in competitions and trainings
- $400,000 awarded in seed funding and travel grants
- 100+ new jobs created
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STEP '15 Bootcamp and Venture Forum 
