Last year, 59 entrepreneurs received tax incentives for innovative projects
In 2025, 125 micro and small business entities applied to the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA) under the Ministry of Economy to obtain a “Startup” Certificate.
According to Startup.az, this information was reported by KOBIA.
It was noted that, based on the “Criteria for Determining a Startup” approved by the Cabinet of Ministers’ Decision dated January 29, 2021, the Expert Council decided to grant the “Startup” Certificate to 59 SME entities.
Among the certificate recipients, 48 are legal entities and 11 are individuals; 53 are micro and 6 are small entrepreneurs. Of these startups, 44 are based in Baku, while 15 operate in the regions. Ten of the certified entrepreneurs are women, and four projects are classified as “green projects.”
The business entities that received the “Startup” Certificate operate in the production and service sectors. The main focus areas of the startups include innovative solutions in financial, education, and healthcare technologies, e-commerce and digital marketing, digital payment systems, and other fields.
Overall, from the start of issuing the “Startup” Certificate in 2021 until January 1, 2026, 493 applications were submitted to KOBIA, of which 247 were granted the certificate.
It should be noted that the “Startup” Certificate exempts SME entities from profit or income tax on revenues generated from innovation activities for a period of three years starting from the date the certificate is issued. Decisions on granting or refusing the certificate are made by KOBIA based on the opinion of the Expert Council, which consists of 12 members, including representatives of various state institutions and independent experts. Micro and small business entities may apply to KOBIA for the “Startup” Certificate.
For more information: https://smb.gov.az/az/nav/startap-sehadetnamesi