Welcome to Silicon Mountain: Armenia in the digital age

Welcome back to the EBRD 2024 Annual Meeting and Business Forum newsletter!

Today’s focus on digitalisation encapsulates the myriad opportunities and challenges brought forth by rapid technological advancements. 

As we prepare for the Annual Meeting in Yerevan and consider our theme, “Delivering impact together”, we cannot ignore the transformative power of the digital world in business, finance and society as a whole.

EBRD, as well as our Host, exemplify this mentality, showcasing how digitalisation can drive meaningful change and impactful collaboration. 

Read on to discover how this year’s programme will explore the possibilities technology can offer as we move towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.

If you have not done so, there is still time to register and join us in Yerevan!

Register now

The pioneers of Silicon Mountain: Armenia in the digital age 

Armenia: a land of majestic mountains with an ancient nation and culture, yet as forward-thinking as any Silicon Valley start-up. 

This emerging digital powerhouse bridges Europe and Asia, and Armenians are leveraging their human capital and widespread diaspora to foster a thriving tech ecosystem. 

Welcome to “Silicon Mountain”...

...Read more

Featured discussion panels

Digital Day: Fintech and cybersecurity for a digital future

The “Silicon Mountain” of Armenia continues to be a hub for innovation in eastern Europe and the Caucasus. Digital connectivity is spurring business opportunities in the country – a networked nation with a diaspora of more than one million worldwide.

Today, Armenia boasts a burgeoning start-up ecosystem and attracts international business.  This year, the EBRD will mark two new milestones: hosting the Annual Meeting and Business Forum in Armenia and holding a “Digital Day”.

The Bank invites you to attend a rich programme on Tuesday 14 May dedicated to its “digital” strategic priority. 

Cyber risk is the dark side of digitalisation, and no economic sector remains untouched by malicious activity in cyberspace. This is why we will convene a panel on the latest developments in cybersecurity, including how AI can be leveraged both by cyber criminals and to fight cybercrime.

We will hear from representatives at Microsoft who will examine the role of cloud computing for cybersecurity and AI adoption.  The programme will spotlight the role of digital innovation in the financial services sector, and include prominent fintechs, financial institutions and business leaders in the digital domain.

Together, they will examine key trends in this space, from process automation, innovative Know-Your-Customer standards, AI, blockchain and more.

The programme will bring to the stage prominent figures in the Armenian diaspora community. We will be joined by renowned biotechnology entrepreneur Noubar Afeyan , founder & CEO of Flagship Pioneering and co-founder and chairman of Moderna . The day will be hosted by Kristina Ayanian , the youngest executive producer and host in Nasdaq’s history.

Having interviewed the likes of Steve Wozniak, Apple co-founder,  Ana Cabral-Gardner, Managing Partner and co-founder of A10 Investimentos, and astronaut Dylan Taylor, Ms Ayanian will bring the Digital Day to life.

Unlock supply chain sustainability with digital transformation

How can innovative digital tools help to reshape supply chains? What role can those tools play in enhancing traceability, compliance and circular models? And how can organisations make best use of these technologies? 

Join our experts as they discuss the opportunities offered by digitalisation that can ensure transparent and sustainable supply chains.

The panel will explore the latest digital drivers, business needs and challenges to be overcome. It will also feature the EBRD’s innovative products, including tailored digital advisory services and the Bank’s sustainable supply-chain-finance framework.

View full event programme

Networking and more with our app, MyEBRD24

Have you downloaded our dedicated event app yet? You can meet like-minded participants through the app as well as personalising your schedule and staying in the know.

The app's networking features are only available to registered participants.

The AM24 team behind the scenes...

The EBRD team during a recent trip to Yerevan.  

There are inevitable complexities when organising such a significant event, but each obstacle presents an opportunity to finetune our efforts and help us to deliver an impactful experience for all participants.

It is indeed a marathon not a sprint and, with less than two months to go, we are gearing up for the final stretch… 

A gentle reminder - If you are attending our event and have not yet booked your accommodation, please do so soon, as spaces are filling up. A complimentary transport service will be provided between the airport, official hotels, and the town centre.

For more information, visit the website or contact aminfo@ebrd.com

Partners

The EBRD would like to thank the following Forum Partners and organisations who are supporting this year's event:

More information about our partners