Office of High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs launches GovTech  Launchpad pilot program

ArmInfo. The Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, GIZ Global Legal Program and Impact Hub Yerevan have jointly launched a brand new international pilot program: GovTech Launchpad. According to the Office message received by ArmInfo, the program is  unique in its format and is aimed at creating innovative solutions to  the problems of cooperation between startups and the public sector.   Within the framework of the program, innovative start-ups should  offer technological solutions that will support the Armenians of the  Diaspora who wish to return to Armenia or have already repatriated  citizens.  GovTech Launchpad is open to tech startups operating both  in Armenia and anywhere in the world.  Participating teams should  have relevant experience in developing innovative solutions,  confidence that their ideas will help the Armenians of the Diaspora  and a desire to move to Armenia. Each of the 4 selected teams will  receive financial support to develop their product. The program will  also include a second stage. In addition to the prize money, the project offers a unique Impact  Hub ecosystem, which includes one-to- one professional advice,  mentorship, membership, events with over 250 creative and innovative  participants, classes, contacts with over 100 Impact Hub centers  around the world, an educational program, including trainings and  courses on the GovTech industry, business, technology and innovation,  as well as many other opportunities that will help develop startup  ideas and provide practical solutions for their implementation. As a  result, the participants will have the opportunity to create new  solutions for the government of Armenia, as well as the Diaspora  Armenians and repatriates, retain the intellectual property rights to  their products, get the opportunity to distribute them  internationally, and establish long-term cooperation with the Office  of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs. To apply for participation in the program, follow the link:  https://bit.ly/3kRUpua. The deadline for accepting applications is  August 31 at 23:59. On August 24 at 7:30 pm, High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh  Sinanyan, Head of the Office of the High Commissioner Sara  Anjargolian, , Executive Director of Impact Hub Yerevan Ani Babumyan  and board member Raffi Kassarjian will present all the features of  the GovTech Launchpad program live. The discussion will take place on  the ZOOM platform, to which you can join and ask questions at the  following link: https://bit.ly/3aHCxxr. The presentation of the  program will also be available on the official Facebook page of the  Office of the General Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs at:   https://www.facebook.com/DiasporaHighCommissionerOfficeArmenia. The Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of the  Republic of Armenia is the main body responsible for the development  and implementation of strategies in Armenia- Diaspora relations.