YSU Business Incubator launches "Introduction to R Programming Language" course
The "Introduction to R Programming" course has successfully launched at the Business Incubator of Yerevan State University.
Within the six-week program, participants will acquire fundamental knowledge of the R programming language, becoming familiar with its core structures, as well as tools for data import, cleaning, transformation, and visualization. The course will also incorporate the use of libraries such as dplyr, stringr, and ggplot2.
Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to perform data analysis and apply statistical methods using R, working with real-world datasets.
The program is led by Lusine Zilfimyan, a lecturer and researcher in the "Data Science in Business" master's program at the Department of Mathematical Modeling in Economics at Yerevan State University. Her research interests include behavioral economics, human-computer interaction, and data analysis.
The knowledge and practical skills gained within the course will enable participants to apply data-driven analytical approaches to their business ideas, conduct market and consumer behavior analysis, make evidence-based decisions, and improve the efficiency of their projects.
By continuously implementing educational initiatives at the Business Incubator of Yerevan State University, efforts are being made not only to develop the entrepreneurial and data-driven competencies of students and young professionals, but also their digital skills, which are in high demand today in scientific research, business analytics, and project development. In addition, emphasis is placed on fostering innovative ideas and transforming them into competitive, real-world ventures.
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From science to practical application: YSU master's student's success in Mini MBA program
One of the winners of the YSU Business Incubator's five-week Mini MBA program is Liana Khachatryan, a master's student in the "Business Administration (Management)" educational program at the Faculty of Economics and Management, Yerevan State University. For her, the program stood out for its practical orientation, intensive format, and the opportunity to connect academic knowledge with the real business environment.
Mini MBA is a source of new motivation and new knowledge, offering an opportunity to build new networks —YSU researcher Gevorg Shahkhatuni
For many participants, the five-week Mini MBA program of the YSU Business Incubator has become not only an opportunity for acquiring management knowledge, but also a tool for transferring scientific ideas to the next, practical stage.
One of the program's winners, Gevorg Shahkhatuni, a researcher in the Center for Materials Science and Nanotechnology at the YSU Research Institute of Physics, particularly highlights the importance of strategic planning and financial literacy, which already serve as a foundation for planning new steps together with his research team.
Mini MBA bridges science and business — YSU Associate Professor Lusine Aloyan
For Lusine Aloyan, Associate Professor at the YSU Institute of Physics, Chair of Condensed Matter Physics, the YSU Business Incubator's five-week Mini MBA program served as a bridge between science and business. The program helped her turn scientific ideas into market-ready, value-creating solutions, and she was recognized as one of its winners.
"As a scientist, I often saw that many studies remained confined to laboratories without reaching real-world application. Mini MBA provided an opportunity to bring scientific ideas into life by bridging science and the market," the associate professor notes.
Reflecting on her main motivations for participating in the program and considering her specialization in physics, Lusine Aloyan emphasizes that her decision to join was driven by the desire to take scientific work beyond the academic environment and transform it into solutions to real problems faced by real people. In her view, physics offers a deep understanding of natural phenomena; however, in order to convert that knowledge into value-creating solutions, business thinking is also essential. It was precisely for this purpose that she sought to learn how to bring the findings of her research into the business sphere and make them applicable.
From biohumus to sustainable business: YSU associate professor among the winners of Mini MBA program
Associate Professor Narek Harutyunyan from the Chair of General Geography at the YSU Faculty of Geography and Geology, is among the winners of the YSU Business Incubator's five-week Mini MBA program.
His primary motivation for participating in the program was to transform his idea into a business project, ensure its promotion, and develop practical applicability—even though his main professional field is geography.
Commercialization of idea: Results of five-week Mini MBA program summarized at YSU
Today, the five-week "Mini MBA" program of the YSU Business Incubator was concluded at the YSU International Science and Technology Center (ISTC). The winners received certificates and monetary awards.
Initiated by the YSU Business Incubator, the five-week "Mini MBA" program, successfully conducted during October–November of the current academic year, constitutes a comprehensive foundational package for turning an idea into a sustainable source of profit. It offers an excellent opportunity, particularly for scientists who wish to continue their academic work while translating their knowledge and ideas into real-world applications.
Your scientific idea can turn into business: Mini MBA program for non-business specialists launched at YSU
The guests of the "Dprutyun" program on Public Radio of Armenia are Ruben Gevorgyan, Head of the YSU Business Incubator, and Nane Vardanyan, Associate Professor at the YSU Faculty of Journalism and participant of the Mini MBA program.
The Mini MBA program recently launched at Yerevan State University is designed for students, doctoral candidates, and graduates from non-business disciplines. The program aims to familiarize participants with the fundamental principles of business and management, to cultivate strategic thinking and leadership skills necessary for the effective management of technological projects and teams, and to teach them how to present their business ideas clearly and confidently.
In addition, the program introduces the principles of responsible and inclusive business practices grounded in ethics and sustainability. It provides a platform for the development of innovative and highly skilled professionals equipped to lead initiatives and generate new ideas within this dynamic environment.
YSU Business Incubator launches long-term course
The YSU Business Incubator has launched a long-term course titled "Modern Software Development and LLM Models", designed for students, doctoral candidates, and early-career faculty members.
This long-term course, led by Edgar Navasardyan, Software Architect at X5 Retail Group and a Tech Lead at EPAM, offers participants the opportunity to acquire foundational knowledge in modern software development, while also exploring ways to apply these skills in a business context.
This course series represents a new initiative by the Business Incubator, aimed at providing participants with practical tools for generating business ideas. The program is intended to be ongoing.
Unlike short-term courses, which focus on helping participants with business ideas develop viable business models, these long-term courses have a more technical orientation.
Ideas become reality at YSU: New opportunity for youth
At Yerevan State University, the "National Ideathon: YSU-2025" initiative on entrepreneurial idea generation has been launched.
The Three4ResilientArmenia "National Ideathon: YSU-2025" program is implemented in cooperation with the Business Incubator of YSU and the Faculty of Economics and Management of YSU, together with Armenian Caritas, the “IRIS Business Incubator” Foundation, and the “Impact Hub Yerevan” Social Innovation Development Foundation.
The aim of the program is to foster entrepreneurial thinking, develop innovative approaches, and support young people in transforming their ideas into practical business projects. "National Ideathon: YSU-2025" was an intensive and interactive two-day series of events, including business idea generation games, training sessions, and seminars, providing participants with the opportunity to learn how to turn their ideas into applicable projects.
Anton Bezuglov conducts seminar for beneficiaries of YSU Business Incubator
At the initiative of the Business Incubator of Yerevan State University, a professional seminar was held on Real-Time Bidding (RTB) and rapid exploratory data analysis.
The seminar was conducted by Anton Bezuglov, PhD holder and data scientist in the advertising optimization team at RRD, who has many years of experience in data science and digital advertising.
Bezuglov introduced participants to the structure of digital advertising systems and the principles of real-time bidding mechanisms, demonstrating how data influences advertising decisions in real time. He also presented two practical methods—mutual information and XGBoost + SHAP—which enable rapid discovery of relationships and insights in high-dimensional datasets.
The seminar was highly interactive: participants discussed real-world examples, experimented with data analysis tools, and received immediate answers to their questions. Many noted that the session provided a valuable perspective on the practical applications of data science in business and advertising technologies.
Bezuglov emphasized that it was a pleasure for him to share knowledge with young professionals at Yerevan State University, highlighting that such initiatives foster the development of applied data science in Armenia.
The seminar was organized by the Business Incubator with the aim of expanding participants’ knowledge and skills at the intersection of data science and digital advertising.
YSU Business Incubator presents its new programs and opportunities at "Learn & Work: YSU EXPO- 2025"
At Yerevan State University, the "Learn & Work: YSU EXPO- 2025" event was held, dedicated to the start of the new academic year and the welcome of first-year students. Among the university’s administrative units, the Business Incubator also participated with its own exhibition booth.
The booth provided an opportunity to summarize the results of the previous academic year, present new initiatives, and introduce students, lecturers, and researchers to the opportunities offered by the Business Incubator. Visitors showed interest both in idea development opportunities and in the formats of researcher engagement, receiving answers to important questions.
Innovative environment for students and researchers
The Business Incubator presented that Room 120 in the 6th building of YSU (Abovyan 52) is open and accessible to all interested individuals. Visitors can register via a QR code and use the incubator’s creative and collaborative environment to test and develop their ideas in practice.
"Mini MBA" program: from scientific ideas to business
During the exhibition, the Business Incubator also presented its new "Mini MBA" program, designed especially for researchers, lecturers, and students who aim to transform their scientific ideas into viable business projects. The best participants of the program will receive certificates, financial support, and expert mentoring.
Applications for the "Mini MBA" program have already started. Registration is open until October 10 of the current year, and classes will begin on October 15.
YSU lecturer represents the region as sole participant at Strasbourg conference
Within the framework of research conducted by the Human-Computer Interaction and Learning Remote Laboratory, Lusine Zilfimyan, a lecturer in the Chair of Mathematical Modeling in Economics at YSU Faculty of Economics and Management, participated in the international conference held in Strasbourg titled "Addressing Access and Accessibility Through Usability and Design: Ideas and Approaches for Web Communication, Technical Communication and Localization." She delivered a presentation focusing on the interrelation between information and economic decision-making.
YSU Business Incubator, aiming to commercialize and translate high-impact scientific research into practical applications, collaborates with the laboratory and considers participation in the conference an opportunity to explore innovations in the field.
New startup aims to digitize the evaluation of faculty extracurricular activities
A team from YSU Business Incubator has developed an electronic system for evaluating the extracurricular activities of faculty members. This innovative startup aims to digitize the process of analyzing and measuring the effectiveness of academic staff’s professional activities beyond the classroom. The system is currently being piloted at the YSU Faculty of Economics and Management.
New opportunity to turn knowledge and ideas into business
Starting this September, Yerevan State University will launch the "Mini MBA" program, designed specifically for students, PhD candidates, and graduates from non-business disciplines. The program aims to provide fundamental business knowledge and skills while equipping participants with leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and presentation skills—essential competencies for achieving success in today’s technology-driven and innovative environments.
It is an indisputable fact that YSU ranks among the leaders in the number of scientific articles published in international databases. The ideas and concepts reflected in these research outputs offer an excellent foundation for the creation of new startups.
The "Mini MBA" program will equip participants with new knowledge and skills, enabling them to reinterpret the ideas presented in their articles and research from a business perspective, which is crucial for success in business and technology management. This program provides a platform for developing innovative and skilled professionals who are prepared to lead and generate new ideas within the academic sphere.
New initiative by YSU Business Incubator team: AI as the psychologist’s "assistant"
The application of artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors—from healthcare to finance and industry—is no longer a novelty. However, the intersection of AI and psychology has been discussed very little. A study conducted within the framework of an internal academic grant at Yerevan State University shows how AI can "learn" psychology and evolve into a powerful tool capable of professionally assisting psychologists by providing rapid psychological assessments.
In 2024–2025, a research project titled "Development and Application of Machine Learning Tool for Assessing Psychological State of Children Forcibly Displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh" was carried out within the framework of YSU internal academic and research grant program. The study aimed to use the digitized drawings by children forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh to identify and assess their psychological state using machine learning tools. By conducting interdisciplinary research in data science and psychology, the research team developed an AI-based tool capable of performing some core psychological assessment functions.
The machine learning algorithms were designed to detect subtle signs of psychological distress and track changes in emotional and mental states in a structured and accurate manner. According to Professor Hrant Avanesyan, Head of the Chair of General Psychology at YSU Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology and the project lead, the idea to implement this project in collaboration with Ruben Gevorgyan, Director of YSU Business Incubator, emerged as soon as they heard about the call for the competition. A team was formed, which, in addition to researchers, included fourth-year students displaced from Artsakh.
"In the post-war period, assessing the mental health of displaced populations—especially children—has become particularly relevant," noted Professor Hrant Avanesyan. "For children, it is often more effective to use indirect methods rather than straightforward testing. In psychology, projective tests—especially those based on drawings—are widely accepted for this purpose. At YSU Psychology Research Center, we work with such projective methods that evaluate children’s psychological states through specific thematic drawings."
He added that it is crucial to understand what psychological changes are occurring among children.
New initiative by YSU Business Incubator: "Mini MBA" program
YSU Business Incubator recently organized a meeting with its beneficiaries, during which it introduced a new initiative—the "Mini MBA" program. The program aims to promote the practical application of academic ideas by bridging academic research and the business world.
While presenting the "Mini MBA" program, Head of the Business Incubator Ruben Gevorgyan emphasized that today, some of the best ideas are generated within academic environments. A clear testament to this is the fact that YSU ranks among the leaders in the number of scientific articles published in international databases. The purpose of this program is to show participants engaged in academic research how they can develop and grow business ideas based on the results of their research.
The program also aims to help researchers and students understand how scientific outcomes can be transformed into viable business projects. The top four ideas will receive monetary awards from YSU Business Incubator.
Ruben Gevorgyan also presented the overall activities of YSU Business Incubator, highlighting that such incubators operate in leading universities around the world, ensuring a smooth transition from academic knowledge to entrepreneurial thinking.
"The 'Mini MBA' program is a platform for training professionals with innovative ideas—individuals who can lead and generate ideas in both the technology and business sectors. It provides the opportunity to acquire skills essential for succeeding in today’s dynamic business environment," he added in response to beneficiaries' questions.
The "Mini MBA" program, the launch of which will be announced soon, is tailored for students, researchers, and participants with innovative thinking from various YSU faculties. Participants will have the opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills and apply them to achieve success in business and technological management.
Hannes Chopra’s lecture on "Leadership in the New Normal" at YSU Business Incubator
At the initiative of YSU Business Incubator, a lecture titled "Leadership in the New Normal" was organized for students of the Faculty of Economics and Management. The session was delivered by Hannes S. Chopra, an international leadership expert, entrepreneur, and leading specialist in educational programs. The lecture focused on the contemporary challenges of leadership.
In an era of rapidly advancing innovation and technological progress, the skills required of leaders have also evolved. During the lecture, the speaker outlined the fundamental changes occurring in the context of breakthrough technologies and innovation. Hannes Chopra emphasized several key points and noted that the "classical" leadership model is no longer applicable. To be a leader and pioneer in tomorrow’s ever-changing world, one must embrace change, acquire new skills, and adopt new ways of thinking.
Hannes Chopra is the head of RaSa Consulting and RaSa Future Fund, and teaches at Harbour.Space University (Barcelona). Previously, he served as CEO of Allianz Eurasia and Sberbank Insurance. He has also acted as an advisor to the World Economic Forum.
The initiative sparked great interest, particularly among students, leading to an active and engaging discussion.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity not only to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing modern leadership but also to engage directly with a specialist with extensive international experience.
YSU Business Incubator continues to organize such events where knowledge and experience converge, offering students inspiration for their professional growth.
YSU Business Incubator has been key to my success – student Sati Tadevosyan
Sati Tadevosyan, a beneficiary of YSU Business Incubator, is a second-year master's student in the "Data Science in Business" program at YSU Faculty of Economics and Management.
She firmly believes that data science offers vast opportunities for innovation and effective decision-making across various fields. A participant in numerous competitions, she attributes her achievements to the education she received at YSU and the opportunity to implement her ideas at the Business Incubator, which have been the cornerstone of her professional growth.
YSU Business Incubator initiates opportunities to turn research into business
Wondering how to turn research into a profitable business? Yerevan State University’s new "Mini MBA" program offers the tools to make it happen, providing key business skills like leadership, strategic thinking, and effective presentation.
Memorandum of understanding signed to develop entrepreneurial skills of students, postgraduates and researchers
A memorandum of understanding was signed between Yerevan State University, "Entrepreneurship Incubator" Foundation and "C-Quadrat Ampega Asset Management Armenia" LLC to launch the "Social Entrepreneurship Incubation" program with a joint initiative.
From article to innovation: Business Incubator at YSU
Within the framework of this project, support will be provided to startups, and early-stage ideas with a social focus will be encouraged.
The program aims to foster a new culture of innovation and social responsibility.
Applications open for Social Impact Startup Incubation Project
Yerevan State University Business Incubator (YSU BI), in collaboration with C-Quadrat Ampega Asset Management Armenia (C-Quadrat Ampega) and Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF), invites innovative minds and socially conscious entrepreneurs to participate in the Social Impact Startup Incubation Project.
The application deadline is May 8. To apply please fill out the form. The program aims to foster a new culture of innovative approaches and social responsibility.
The program will focus on sectors such as accessible education, environmental protection, regional development, clean water accessibility, healthcare, renewable energy, sustainable economy, and responsible consumption.
Eligible applicants include students, young researchers, teams, and startups with innovative ideas aimed at solving social problems. Participants should be in the early stages of development or seeking startup support, with the goal of creating sustainable businesses with a social mission.
The project’s goal is to support startups in addressing critical social issues by providing resources, mentorship, and assistance in business and social impact development. It aims to promote creative thinking and innovative solutions, helping startups become sustainable businesses with long-term social impact while strengthening collaboration within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The program will offer mentors, conduct skill development workshops, facilitate networking events, promote collaboration among startups, monitor participants’ progress and offer regular feedback, guide startups through legal processes, and assist in applying for funding from C-Quadrat Ampega Social Fund and other sources.
Participation will give you the opportunity to turn your idea into a start-up business, receive mentorship and advice from market experts, gain resources for business and social impact development, establish connections with partners, experts, and investors, and obtain support from the C-Quadrat Ampega Social Fund and other investors.
YSU Business Incubator expands its international cooperation
The Business Incubator of Yerevan State University continues to actively expand its international cooperation, particularly in the fields of technological development and innovative entrepreneurship.
In this context, representatives of Alecu Russo State University of Bălți visited Yerevan. The visit was organized with the support of the Enterprise Incubator Foundation, with the aim of studying programs focused on the development of information and high technologies, as well as exploring the operational model and experience of the Business Incubator at Yerevan State University.
Within the framework of the visit, the Moldovan delegation visited the Business Incubator of Yerevan State University, where they became thoroughly acquainted with the university’s innovation ecosystem and entrepreneurial environment. Representatives of Alecu Russo State University of Bălți presented the activities of the Business Incubator operating at their own university, as well as the existing challenges and possible ways to overcome them.
During the meeting, the Director of the Business Incubator, Ruben Gevorgyan, presented the main functions of the incubator, emphasizing the importance of such structures within an academic environment. He elaborated on the opportunities the incubator provides for students and aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as its role in fostering the development of innovative businesses.
The parties discussed the prospects for cooperation between the Business Incubator of Yerevan State University and the incubator of Alecu Russo State University of Bălți, including experience exchange programs, the implementation of joint projects, and the promotion of student engagement.
As a result of the discussions, a preliminary framework for further cooperation steps was formed, aimed at strengthening ties between the two incubators and facilitating the implementation of joint initiatives.
YSU BI launches initiative to fund social impact startups
On the joint initiative of Yerevan State University Business Incubator (YSU BI), Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF), and C-Quadrat Ampega Asset Management Armenia, a selection of social impact startup ideas was held at Yerevan State University. Out of 17 teams that applied, the top 6 were selected.
Innovation and research ideas competition
The innovation and research ideas competition was organized by the Enterprise Incubator Foundation, the Business Incubator of Yerevan State University, the Matenadaran Foundation, Engineering City, the "SyHub" Cybersecurity Center, the National Supercomputing Center of Armenia, the Center for Advanced Research, and the Gyumri Technology Center, with the support of the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Bank, as well as leading international universities and research centers.
The aim of the competition was to promote and advance innovative and research ideas in the fields of artificial intelligence and data science, engineering, cybersecurity, arts and creative technologies, and science. A total of approximately 190 applications were received.
On July 9, the final stage of the competition took place, during which one representative from each field—having passed several selection rounds—presented their ideas.
In the "Best Idea" category, the winner was Hayk Sargsyan for the idea "Thermaiscan Chemotherapy Monitoring," receiving the main prize of 1,200,000 AMD.
Winners in the field-specific categories, each awarded 800,000 AMD, were:
- In Artificial Intelligence and Data Science: "FreshGuard" idea by the "AIT Artashat" Programming Center
- In Engineering: "Artificial Muscles" idea by Marina Davtyan
- In Cybersecurity: "Malware Detection Using Code Clones and Machine Learning" idea by Mariam Harutyunyan
- In Arts and Creative Technologies: "Development of a Technology for Recording the Characteristics of Photographic and Cinematic Film and Transferring Them to Digitally Captured Materials" by Noraire Chilingaryan
- In Science: "Bacterial Cellulose" idea by Manvel Mnatsakanyan
The competition was implemented with the participation of multiple innovation and research institutions, aiming to promote breakthrough ideas across science, engineering, AI, cybersecurity, and creative technologies.
New startups: new culture of social responsibility – Radiolab
The Business Incubator of Yerevan State University, in cooperation with "C-Quadrat Ampega Asset Management Armenia" LLC and the Enterprise Incubator Foundation, is implementing a social impact startup incubation project.
The aim of the program is to establish a new culture of innovation and social responsibility.
Students, young researchers, teams, and startups are eligible to participate.
The Director of the YSU Business Incubator, Ruben Gevorgyan, was featured on Radiolab.
