Celebrating Innovation at NPUA: Final Stage of the LISS24 Business Idea Competition
On May 2, 2025, the National Polytechnic University of Armenia proudly hosted the final stage of the “Innovative Business Ideas” Course and Competition within the framework of the Erasmus+ LISS24 “Learn, Innovate, Sell, Succeed” project. The event showcased the creative potential of students and International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme learners who had completed the intensive “Generation of Innovative Ideas” course.
Led by Lida Aghajanyan, Associate Professor at the Chair of Technological Management, and Gor Martirosyan, Head of the NPUA Career Center, the course equipped 23 participants with essential skills in:
✅ Creative thinking
✅ Business impact assessment
✅ Business model development
✅ Market research & idea feasibility
✅ Pitching techniques
Throughout the course, students engaged in practical group work—refining their ideas through market analysis, creative design, and feasibility testing—preparing them to pitch their projects during the final competition.
A total of 12 teams participated, including 2 out-of-competition groups representing the IB Diploma Programme at the NPUA Yerevan High School. Each team presented its idea to a panel of 8 external experts, evaluated based on pre-defined criteria including innovation, research, business model quality, presentation, and teamwork.
Winning Projects
1st Place: “Braille Board” (Vahagn Zakaryan, Melik Khalatyan, Lusine Sargsyan): A Bluetooth-enabled tactile device empowering visually impaired users to input text and navigate smartphones independently.
2nd Place: “Smart Cup” (Vanik Tigranyan): A smart drinking cup using sensor technology to support individuals with visual impairments.
3rd Place: “HayConnect” (Nina Avetyan, Roman Margaryan): An app designed to reconnect users with Armenian heritage through cultural, community, and informational content.
All course participants will receive official certificates of participation, while the top three teams will receive monetary awards and go on to represent National Polytechnic University of Armenia at the Republican Competition.
We thank all mentors, participants, and evaluators who contributed to making this event a success. Special appreciation to the LISS24 consortium for fostering innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, and international collaboration.