Designed for students, recent graduates and young professionals, the program created an opportunity for emerging talent to gain practical exposure to innovation, entrepreneurship, and the startup ecosystem.
This year, the program brought together 150 young participants for an intensive week of hands-on learning and direct engagement with the ecosystem. Participants took part in practical workshops, interactive discussions and networking sessions while connecting with local and international experts, startup founders, investors and industry leaders.
The program was designed to go beyond traditional learning by placing participants directly within the environment of Seaside Startup Summit Armenia 2026. This gave them the opportunity not only to develop new knowledge and practical skills, but also to build meaningful professional connections, exchange ideas with experienced ecosystem players and discover new possibilities for their future careers and entrepreneurial journeys.
Highlighting the importance of investing in the next generation and continuing the program for a second year, Arsen Harutyunyan, Educational Program Director of Seaside Startup Summit, said:
“Talent Generation is about giving young people the opportunity to experience the startup ecosystem from the inside. For one week, they are not simply learning about entrepreneurship, they are surrounded by founders, investors, mentors and innovators, building connections and seeing firsthand how ideas grow into real opportunities. Implementing the program for the second consecutive year allows us to continue investing in young talent and create a stronger bridge between the next generation and the opportunities available within Armenia’s growing innovation ecosystem.”
Talent Generation was implemented within the wider international environment of Seaside Startup Summit Armenia 2026, which brought together 15,000 participants, 250 startup teams from over 50 countries and 500+ speakers.
Being part of this larger ecosystem gave Talent Generation participants direct access to a diverse international community and allowed them to experience entrepreneurship, innovation and collaboration beyond the classroom.
Speaking about the importance of connecting Armenia’s emerging talent with wider European opportunities, Julien Schmitt, Project Director of EU4Innovation East, said:
“Armenia has a dynamic and ambitious generation of young people who can play an important role in shaping the country’s future and strengthening its connections with Europe. Through EU4Innovation East, we are pleased to support initiatives such as the Talent Generation Track that bring European cooperation closer to young people, entrepreneurs and innovators on the ground. Creating these connections between Armenian talent and European opportunities is an essential part of building a stronger and more integrated innovation ecosystem.”
For the participants themselves, Talent Generation offered an opportunity to move from theory to experience and gain a clearer understanding of the possibilities available within the startup and innovation ecosystem.
As Hasmik Nersisyan, one of this year’s Talent Generation participants, shared:
“Talent Generation gave me the chance to experience the startup ecosystem rather than simply hear about it. Meeting founders, mentors, investors and other young people with similar ambitions helped me look at my own ideas and future differently. I’m leaving the program not only with new knowledge, but also with valuable connections, greater confidence and a much clearer idea of the steps I want to take next.”
Now in its second year, the Talent Generation Educational Program continues to create a platform where young people can gain practical experience, expand their professional networks and confidently take the next steps in their careers and entrepreneurial journeys.
As one of the key educational components of Seaside Startup Summit Armenia 2026, the program reflects a shared commitment to supporting the next generation of innovators by creating an environment where learning, mentorship, international exchange and real-world experience come together.
Talent Generation Educational Program was supported by EU4Innovation East, funded by the European Union, co-funded by the Government of France, and implemented by Expertise France.
