The Microsoft innovation center will be ready before the end of this year, Grigor Barseghyan, Director of the Microsoft office in Armenia, told NEWS.am. The center will be operating at the State Architectural University and occupy an area of 500 sq. meters.

“The center was created in the territory of university to be available to the students. However, employees of IT companies and independent experts can participate in the activities of the center as well. It will be free for everyone,” Barseghyan said. He also noted that new Microsoft projects, as well as solutions of other leading IT companies will be presented.  

Besides, the center will also perform educational function. “Basics of successful business development, management, marketing and other disciplines will be taught. It will contribute to development of the present companies and creation of new ones,” Director of the Microsoft office stressed.

The Microsoft innovation center is created as a result of cooperation of the Armenian government, U.S. Agency for International Development, Enterprise Incubator Foundation, Microsoft RA. The project is estimated at $2.5 m.

According to Grigor Barseghyan, the project will be financed for 3 years, later it will pay its way.

Microsoft has over 80 innovation centers in more than 80 countries, whereas the created center is first in the South Caucasus.