“Azerbaijan Investment & Youth Entrepreneurship Forum” will be jointly organized by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) and the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) of the Republic of Azerbaijan at Hilton Baku, on 17-18 November 2022, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Forum aims to create a global stage that will bring together an incredible group of top leaders and industry professionals from diverse backgrounds, sectors and areas of expertise in OIC countries and beyond with the common interest of contributing to youth entrepreneurship. It is noteworthy to state that the Forum would be an exceptional opportunity for decision-makers, investors and startups to network among themselves and to better understand how to maximize the potential of their external positive influence, which will enable them to effectively and responsibly activate the ever-growing global community of entrepreneurs in the digital era.

The main aims and objectives of the Forum are:

• Create an innovative platform bringing together investors; decision-makers, ministers, governmental authorities, founders, local/global corporates, international institutions, start-ups, mentors, ecosystem influencers, and sectoral partners within OIC Member States and global networks.
• Boost innovation, investment, and technology-based companies, increasing the visibility of youth entrepreneurs and startups in the global market.
• Give the youth an opportunity to explore good practices through the global ecosystems and exchange views with successful international startups.
• Explore and promote Azerbaijan’s startup ecosystem to international startups & investors, providing opportunities for local startups to go global.
• Provide a platform for OIC Member Countries to come together and draw a roadmap towards stable and sustainable economic growth for contribution to the economic wellbeing of individuals and societies.
• Empower young entrepreneurs around the world with groundbreaking ideas and collaborations to solve cross-border challenges, uncover new possibilities, and to develop revolutionary ideas and solutions, catalyzing innovation.
• Initiate dialogues, discussions, debates, exchanges, and possible cooperation among all stakeholders focusing on youth entrepreneurship.
• Build partnerships and renew impetus, deepening the commitment of investors and entrepreneurs, including the establishment of knowledge networks for sharing information and the best practices on meeting the challenges of OIC member states.

The Forum shall consist of several panel sessions and roundtable discussions including “The Emerging Economic Hub of Eurasia: Azerbaijan”, “Youth as Drivers of Innovation and Technology”, “Powering Startup Growth: Building Effective Investment Ecosystem”, “Key Players of the Future: Global Entrepreneurs” and “Road to Unicorn: Investor Expectations”.