In recent years, Azerbaijan has rapidly strengthened its position on the global innovation map. The growth of its technological infrastructure, the rise of entrepreneurial initiatives, and the emergence of new talent are creating a fertile environment for the development of a powerful startup ecosystem. The country is at a point where inspiration is gradually turning into strategic action, and local initiatives are beginning to acquire regional significance. Against this backdrop, it is especially important to hear from international experts who have witnessed the emergence of various markets and understand the principles of innovative success.
AZERTAC presents an interview with Marcel Dridje, a recognized international expert in innovation and startup investment, partner at Entrepreneur Avenue, and Board Member at the European Business Angels Network (EBAN).
- With extensive experience in startup ecosystems and four successful exits, how do you see the potential for tech startup development in Azerbaijan?
- Azerbaijan has all the right ingredients to become the next regional tech hub. What stood out during INMerge was the strong collaboration between government initiatives, private accelerators, and emerging local founders eager to make their mark.
I’ve seen similar early momentum in ecosystems such as Estonia, Portugal, Spain , Ireland , Tunisia , UAE and Finland, and I can tell you that when policy, passion, and patience align, transformation happens fast.
The real opportunity for Azerbaijan lies in moving from inspiration to implementation. The country has talent and infrastructure; now it needs scalable business models, experienced mentors, and investors ready to help founders think globally from day one. Azerbaijan can become a strategic innovation bridge between Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
- What key factors are necessary for creating a sustainable and dynamic startup ecosystem in the South Caucasus?
- Sustainability in startup ecosystems is never accidental, it’s the result of a long-term vision built around four core pillars:
1. Education & Talent Pipeline – Aligning universities with entrepreneurship, digital skills, and applied innovation.
2. Access to Finance – Building early-stage angel networks, micro-VCs, and government co-investment platforms.
3. Regulatory & Legal Frameworks – Simplified company formation, IP protection, and exit mechanisms.
4. Global Connectivity – Facilitating exposure to international mentors, investors, and markets.
If I could make one regional recommendation, it would be to create a “Startup Caucasus Alliance” ,connecting accelerators, angel groups, and government programs across Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia to share best practices and attract global funding.
- What role can artificial intelligence and innovation play in transforming business and public services in Azerbaijan?
- Artificial intelligence isn’t just another trend, it’s a national competitiveness tool.
Azerbaijan can leverage AI to:
• Optimize energy production, logistics, and supply chains
• Drive smart city initiatives in Baku and secondary cities
• Enhance e-government services, transparency, and public trust
If applied responsibly, AI will not replace jobs, it will augment human creativity, streamline bureaucracy, and open entirely new business models. It’s also an opportunity to position Azerbaijan as a regional AI testing ground, inviting international startups to co-develop local solutions.
- What challenges are most common for early-stage startups, and how might they appear in the Azerbaijani context?
- In every ecosystem I’ve worked with, from Tunisia to Sri Lanka early-stage startups face the same recurring obstacles:
• Brilliant technical founders with limited go-to-market readiness
• Insufficient access to early-stage capital
• Weak governance practices and investor reporting
• Brain drain, as top talent seeks opportunities abroad
In Azerbaijan, addressing these will require structured pre-acceleration programs, cross-border mentoring, and investor education. Angel investors need to understand risk; founders need to learn how to build trust and transparency.
That’s the true foundation of a healthy startup culture.
- How can international investment and angel funding accelerate innovation in Azerbaijan?
- International angel investment can be a transformational force. Beyond capital, it brings global networks, governance standards, and market access.
Through my work with EBAN (European Business Angels Network), Business Angels of Qatar (BAQ), Sophia Business Angels and multiple national initiatives across Africa and Central Asia, I’ve seen how co-investment platforms act as bridges , connecting smaller ecosystems to global deal flow.
Imagine a joint fund co-created by EBAN, regional governments, and GCC angel investors , empowering Azerbaijani startups to scale beyond borders. That’s how nations leapfrog stages of development.
- Do you see prospects for collaboration between startups and tech companies from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and other countries in the region?
- Absolutely. Türkiye and Azerbaijan share not only language and culture but a growing innovation DNA. Add to that the capital and scale of GCC innovation hubs like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and you have a powerful tri-regional opportunity.
By fostering joint accelerators, innovation challenges, and tech transfer programs, we could establish what I like to call the “Turkic Community Tech Corridor,” a flow of ideas, talent, and investment connecting the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
The next wave of innovation will come from collaboration, not competition. Ecosystems are not built by money alone. They are built by communities of believers, founders who dream big, mentors who give back, and investors who take the first risk.
Azerbaijan already has that spark. What it needs now is to connect globally, collaborate regionally, and execute locally. I am confident that, in the coming years, Baku will not only host innovation events, it will host success stories that inspire the entire region.
