Over 1,300 startups from 94 countries apply for INMerge 2026 summit

Over 1,300 startup applications from 94 countries have been submitted for the "INMerge 2026" Innovation Summit, which will take place at the Baku Congress Center from November 30 to December 1 this year.

Organized by "PAŞA Holding," the summit is expected to bring together 120 startups selected from the applicants, more than 200 international speakers, and thousands of participants.

The main focus areas of the summit will be the development of the startup ecosystem, the presentation of new technologies, and the expansion of international cooperation opportunities.

Prominent figures in the fields of technology, business, economics, and innovation will speak at the event. Among them are five-time Grand Slam champion and entrepreneur Maria Sharapova, former Chief Business Officer of "Google X" Mo Gawdat, former Chief Marketing Officer of "Nike" Greg Hoffman, and 2025 Nobel laureate in economics Joel Mokyr.

Maria Sharapova currently operates as an entrepreneur and investor and serves on the board of directors of "Moncler." Mo Gawdat is an expert on artificial intelligence and its impact on society, while Greg Hoffman is the author of the book "Emotion by Design."

Northwestern University professor Joel Mokyr was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2025 for his research on technological progress and economic growth.

The full list of speakers and ticket information are available on the summit's official website, inmerge.az.

It should be noted that the "INMerge" Innovation Summit, founded by PAŞA Holding, has been held annually since 2021. The event brings together investors, startups, companies, and representatives of government agencies from Azerbaijan, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.