“A Smart City and Smart Village” Startup Festival was held in Nakhchivan
On May 22, the “Smart City and Smart Village” Startup Festival dedicated to the “Year of Urban Planning and Architecture” was held through the joint organization of the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Nakhchivan State University.
According to Startup.az, the ministry’s press service stated that the festival brought together government institutions, technology companies, representatives of the innovation ecosystem, and startups on a single platform.
The main goal of the event was to promote “smart city” and “smart village” solutions, showcase innovative projects in the field of digital transformation, and support the development of the regional technology ecosystem.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Azer Mammadrahimov, Deputy Minister and Acting Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, said that the declaration of 2026 as the “Year of Urban Planning and Architecture” by President Ilham Aliyev demonstrates the special importance attached to urban planning, architecture, and modern technologies.
He noted that “Smart City” and “Smart Village” projects, the application of artificial intelligence technologies, and the expansion of digital services are among the state’s main priorities. He also emphasized that the World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13) held in Baku reflects Azerbaijan’s growing international reputation in sustainable urban development and digital transformation.
It was reported that the festival featured 60 startup teams, 151 participants, 5 jury members, 9 panelists, and 26 mentors. The projects presented demonstrated that young people are not only users of technology, but also creative forces shaping the solutions of the future.
During the event, Elbrus Isayev, Rector of Nakhchivan State University, stated that modern universities are not only educational institutions but also important centers for innovation and technological development. He highlighted the university’s focus on developing students’ creative and innovative potential and welcomed the participation of students with promising startup projects.
Elkhan Najafov, Minister of Education of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, noted that knowledge, technology, and innovation have become the key drivers of national development. He stressed that “smart city” and “smart village” concepts are no longer ideas of the future, but realities of today, and that young people’s innovative ideas will play an important role in the country’s future development.
The festival also included an innovation exhibition featuring startup projects, artificial intelligence solutions, green technologies, robotics, IoT, and automation systems. A special stand by the STEAM Center of the Nakhchivan Ministry of Education and commemorative postage stamps prepared by the Nakhchivan Postal and Telecommunications Center were also showcased.
Three panel discussions were held as part of the program. The sessions focused on topics such as “Smart City Management, Digital Education, Innovation and Future Technologies,” “Smart Villages, Water Resources and Green Energy Solutions,” and “Innovative Urban Infrastructure and the Future of Public Administration.”
Projects presented during the festival were evaluated by independent experts, and winners were selected.
According to the results, the “Sigma” team won first place, while the “Loğman” team secured second place. The STEAM Training Center team and the team of Arazin Village Secondary School took third and fourth places respectively.
