Azerbaijan : Fostering Development of Local Tech Startups

Sovereign Project | 53416-001

The proposed knowledge and support technical assistance (KSTA) will support INNOLAND, an incubation, acceleration, and research center of the Innovation Center at the State Agency for Public Services and Social Innovations under the President of Azerbaijan to set up effective and efficient institutional arrangements at the local level for tech startups support. Incubation and acceleration services will be delivered in Ganja and Sheki towns through: (i) the Ganja State University's (GSU) and the Azerbaijan State Agrarian University (ASAU) and (ii) INNOLAND's branch office - Innoland Sheki, respectively.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Yusifova, Sabina
    Central and West Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Azerbaijan
  • Sector
    • Information and communication technology
Project Name Fostering Development of Local Tech Startups
Project Number 53416-001
Country / Economy Azerbaijan
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 6650-AZE: Azerbaijan: Fostering Development of Local Technical Start-Ups
Republic of Korea e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund US$ 500,000.00
Operational Priorities OP1: Addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities
OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality
OP6: Strengthening governance and institutional capacity
Sector / Subsector

Information and communication technology / ICT strategy and policy, and capacity development
Gender Some gender elements
Description The proposed knowledge and support technical assistance (KSTA) will support INNOLAND, an incubation, acceleration, and research center of the Innovation Center at the State Agency for Public Services and Social Innovations under the President of Azerbaijan to set up effective and efficient institutional arrangements at the local level for tech startups support. Incubation and acceleration services will be delivered in Ganja and Sheki towns through: (i) the Ganja State University's (GSU) and the Azerbaijan State Agrarian University (ASAU) and (ii) INNOLAND's branch office - Innoland Sheki, respectively.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

Digital development is important for making Azerbaijan's economy knowledge-based. Development of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector is an important element of the diversification of the economy away from hydrocarbons. The tech startups are viewed as a driving force for the country's ICT sector and digital transformation; and as a source of innovative solutions and productivity growth in the economy. ADB's Country Partnership Strategy, 2019-2023 envisages support in expanding ICT infrastructure and services in the regions. This includes fostering digital microbusinesses and small- and medium-sized enterprises and strengthening the enabling environment for the digital economy.

The Innovation Center under the State Agency on Public Services and Social Innovations facilitates the development of tech startups across in the country.

Impact

Creation, development and promotion of startups to support innovative solutions in rural and non-rural production areas
Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Strengthened local capacity for effective startups facilitation.
Progress Toward Outcome
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Enabling environment for local tech startups strengthened

Local institutional set-up for tech startups development improved

Knowledge partnerships developed
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)
Geographical Location Nation-wide
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design
During Project Implementation
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services ADB will engage: (i) a project coordinator (individual national consultant) to coordinate all activities under the TA, in consultation with the INNOLAND, GSU, and ASAU; and (ii) a consulting firm to deliver the TA's outputs 1 and 2, and output 3's part of setting up the twinning partnership.
Responsible ADB Officer Yusifova, Sabina
Responsible ADB Department Central and West Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Azerbaijan Resident Mission (AZRM)
Executing Agencies
The State Agency for Public Services & Social Inno
Timetable
Concept Clearance 18 Feb 2020
Fact Finding 24 Feb 2020 to 28 Feb 2020
MRM -
Approval 03 Dec 2020
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 29 Dec 2020

TA 6650-AZE

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
03 Dec 2020 30 Dec 2020 30 Dec 2020 30 Jun 2022 30 Jun 2024 -
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
0.00 500,000.00 0.00 50,000.00 0.00 0.00 550,000.00 06 Oct 2023 354,642.69

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Title Document Type Document Date
Fostering Development of Local Tech Startups: Technical Assistance Report Technical Assistance Reports Dec 2020

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.

Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.

Related Publications

None currently available.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
Organization of Tech Startups competition Firm - Consulting Closed
Organization of tech startups competition Firm - Consulting Closed
Fostering Development of Local Tech Startups Individual - Consulting Closed
TECH STARTUPS CAPACITY BUILDING FIRM Firm - Consulting Closed

Contracts Awarded

Contract Title Approval Number Contract Date Contractor | Address Executing Agency Total Contract Amount (US$) Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$)
Capacity Development Technical Assistance 6650 18 Jan 2021 Steinbeis GmbH & Co.KG for Technology Transfer (GERMANY) in association with Ekvita Consulting LLC (AZERBAIJAN) | Adornostr. 8, Deutschland Stuttgart 70599 Germany State Agency for Public Services & Social Innov 276,356.00 —

Procurement Plan

None currently available.