Commercialization of idea: Results of five-week "Mini MBA" program summarized at YSU

In his welcoming remarks, Hovhannes Hovhannisyan noted that the "Mini MBA" program offered by Yerevan State University is unique in its kind and represents a new milestone in the educational landscape. According to the rector of YSU, the Business Incubator has recently achieved significant success in the field, and this program is a vivid example of those achievements.

Vice President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Hakob Arshakyan, welcoming the program participants, highlighted both the conceptual and practical significance of the initiative, namely ensuring progress and development through the integration of science and industry. By commercializing academic research and bringing it to the labor market, the long-standing and unfortunate disconnect between entrepreneurship and science since independence can be restored. Such programs significantly contribute to the revival of science-industry mechanisms; therefore, the YSU Business Incubator's "Mini MBA" program represents a first successful attempt at transforming promising ideas into successful businesses. 

Ruben Gevorgyan, Head of the YSU Business Incubator and Professor of the Chair of Mathematical Modeling in Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Management, presented the key priorities of the "Mini MBA" program, outlining its three main objectives: educational, research, and collaborative.

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. 

The participants of the program included undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and lecturers, who acquired fundamental business knowledge, as well as leadership, strategic thinking, and presentation skills—essential competencies for achieving success in modern technological and innovative environments. 

Out of forty applicants, twenty were initially selected, followed by the selection of twelve top participants. Upon completion of the program, the latter received participation certificates and opportunities for expert mentorship. The four best participants—Gevorg Shahkhatuni, Liana Khachatryan, Lusine Aloyan, and Narek Harutyunyan—were also awarded monetary awards.