IDEATHON Shirak 2025

Call for Applications

Three4ResilientArmenia IDEATHON Shirak – 2025

Two-Day Business Idea Generation Event on October 25 -26

General Information 

The Three4ResilientArmenia project is funded by the European Union and implemented by Armenian Caritas Benevolent NGO, the IRIS Business Incubator Foundation, and the Impact Hub Armenia Social Innovation Development Foundation. The project aims to promote the social cohesion and economic integration of refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh and host communities.

As part of its economic integration component, the project will host a series of two-day business idea generation events designed to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking among the target groups. These events will equip participants with the knowledge and tools to develop viable business ideas. Between 2025 and 2026, a total of seven Ideathon events will be organized, including four regional and three national Ideathons. In total, at least 380 participants are expected to take part, with approximately 200 from the regions and 180 from Yerevan and adjacent communities. Of these, up to 70% will belong to the target groups, while 30% will be from local communities.

About the “Ideathon” events  

Designed to be both educational and engaging, the workshops combine structured learning with interactive and gamified experiences. This dynamic approach fosters creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial thinking, ensuring a meaningful and enjoyable two-day experience.

Regardless of entrepreneurial experience, participants will learn how to generate viable business ideas in general and assess their viability and market demand using the “Business Idea Generation Roadmap” toolkit and other self-assessment and validation tools.

Participants will apply individually; however, teams will be formed on-site as participants collaborate and unite around business ideas generated and selected during the event.

This Three4ResilientArmenia Ideathon event will take place on October 25–26, 2025, at Impact Hub Gyumri in the Shirak Region.

Call for Applications

Within the framework of the Three4ResilientArmenia project, the IRIS Business Incubator Foundation and Impact Hub Armenia invite applications for the Three4ResilientArmenia IDEATHON Shirak – 2025. This two-day business idea generation event is specifically designed for individuals displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, those affected or injured by the 2020 war, as well as fellow citizens of host communities, aiming to foster economic integration through entrepreneurship by equipping participants with the skills to develop and refine viable business ideas.

The admission of candidates to the first selection phase shall be through this Call, which was announced on September 25, 2025, and the deadline to submit applications is October 19, 2025, inclusive.

Application forms must be submitted in Armenian.

Target Groups and Applicant Eligibility  

Three4ResilientArmenia IDEATHON is open to anyone over the age of 18, including:

• People displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 and 2023,
• Participants in the 2020 war,
• Affected victims/injured as a result of the 2020 war,
• Youth and students,
• All interested in entrepreneurship,
• Individuals who seek to develop the skill of generating viable business ideas, and
• Those who already have a business concept and wish to assess and validate its feasibility using modern methodologies and tools.
  
  

Selection stages and selection criteria:

Review of applications

Once the Call for Applications is closed on 19 October 2025, the project team will make the first screening of the Application forms. Up to 70 applications will be shortlisted within 3 working days after the Call is closed. All selected candidates will receive a confirmation email with an invitation to participate in the event. Applicants who have not been selected for the next step will receive a non-acceptance email within 3 working days after the deadline.
  

Selection criteria

The applications will be shortlisted by 3 evaluators from the project team based on the assessment of the following components:

• Overall quality of the application,
• Willingness and Commitment: Applicants who demonstrate a strong interest, motivation, and commitment to actively participate in the two-day IDEATHON event will be considered highly competitive.

Experts/Instructors and Mentors

Experts/instructors and mentors will be shortlisted from both IRIS Business Incubator’s and Impact Hub Armenia’s pool of experts and will be selected based on their extensive experience in business ideation expertise. The core competencies required of trainers and mentors in the initiative include expertise in traditional SMEs and entrepreneurial ecosystems, design thinking methodologies, facilitation of workshops and gamified learning experiences, experience in working with college students and youth, as well as refugees and other people with special needs, and the ability to keep a motivated and engaged tone throughout the 2-day initiative. They must also obtain expertise in strategic early-stage business development, profiling, market analysis, financial planning, etc.

Jury composition and duties

The jury shall be composed of 5 personalities with the following characteristics:

• One representative from IRIS Business Incubator,
• One representative from Impact Hub Armenia,
• One representative from Armenian Caritas,
• One  successful entrepreneur,
• One SME professional.

Jury members will individually provide a score from 1 to 5. The jury members will decide on the teams’ active engagement, commitment to learning, and progress throughout the event.

Selection of the best teams.

All participants of the IDEATHON will receive a Digital Certificate of Participation upon completion of the event. 

Additionally, members of the top-performing teams, selected by the jury, will be well-prepared to apply for future incubation and acceleration programs offered by IRIS Business Incubator and Impact Hub Armenia.

The IDEATHON is not merely a competition to select the best idea but an immersive learning experience designed to help participants understand and master the process of business idea generation. Success is not solely determined by the jury’s selection but by each participant’s active engagement, commitment to learning, and personal growth throughout the event.

Online Info Session 

Join our online info session to learn more about the Ideathon, its goals, themes, application process, and timeline. 

Date: October 7th, 18:00 -19:00

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-AJo8Hx0QxO4cZrVtbCkVA 

Contact details:

Impact Hub Armenia Social Innovation Development Foundation

80 Tigran Mets street, 0005, Yerevan, Armenia

Phone: 094 579794

E-mail: [email protected]

Click on the button below to fill out the form and apply now!