Baku ID 2026 concluded in Azerbaijan after two days of discussions, startup showcases and investor meetings, bringing together founders, venture capital funds, technology leaders and policymakers from across the region and beyond.
Held on September 17–18, the fifth edition of Baku ID positioned Baku as a meeting point between emerging startup ecosystems and international capital, with artificial intelligence, EnergyTech, education, digital transformation and global startup expansion among the major themes.
This year’s edition was the largest Baku ID to date, according to Rahim Bayramli, CEO of SABAH.HUB. More than 50 international and regional venture funds participated in the event, alongside 60 startups, including 45 international companies and 15 Azerbaijani startups.
Baku ID describes itself as an innovation and startup investment platform connecting the Caucasus, Central Asia and MENA. Across its previous editions, the platform reports having attracted 13,500 participants, hosted 375 startups and generated $5.5 million in investment commitments.
Connecting regional founders with international capital
A central focus of Baku ID 2026 was providing startups from Azerbaijan and neighboring markets with greater access to international investors.
According to Bayramli, the platform aims to create a unified environment where startups from Azerbaijan and the wider region can present their companies to international investors and pursue financing opportunities.
The event also coincided with the launch of the first phase of SABAH.HUB, a public-private partnership initiative developed with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Science and Education.
The project aims to bring universities, research institutions, startups, investors, technology companies and public institutions into a connected innovation ecosystem, strengthening cooperation between research, entrepreneurship and capital.
AI, EnergyTech and digital transformation take the stage
Artificial intelligence emerged as one of the central themes during the second day of Baku ID 2026, with discussions examining the impact of AI on emerging markets and how the technology could reshape businesses across different industries.
EnergyTech was another major area of discussion, particularly around opportunities to connect Azerbaijan’s established energy capabilities with a broader technology and innovation ecosystem.
Education and the future workforce were also on the agenda. Participants discussed technology-enabled learning models and the skills that will be required as labor markets evolve.
Speakers included Vusal Khanlarov, Head of the Bureau on ICT for Education at Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Science and Education, and Khamis Abdalla Said, Principal Secretary at Zanzibar’s Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.
From local startups to global companies
Beyond technology trends, Baku ID 2026 placed significant emphasis on the challenges regional startups face when expanding internationally.
Founders discussed their experiences building companies for markets beyond their home countries, while sessions explored access to investment, commercialization strategies and new business models that could help startups scale internationally.
The event concluded with the NEXUS Awards, recognizing initiatives and achievements across innovation and entrepreneurship.
With participation from more than 50 venture funds and startups from Azerbaijan and international markets, Baku ID 2026 reflected the country’s broader push to deepen its links with the global technology and investment ecosystem while creating more pathways for regional founders to access capital, expertise and international markets.
