Global StartupBlink, which conducts an assessment of the startup ecosystem in the world, has published its “Startup Ecosystem Report 2025” for 2025. Azerbaijan has moved up 6 places in the ranking and is ranked 74th among 100 countries. Baku, on the other hand, has taken 47th place in the intercity ranking, demonstrating the highest growth rate in Central Asia.

Commenting on the topic, Isa Gasimov, head of the “Enterprise Azerbaijan” portal of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, said that Baku’s rapid leap in the ranking increases its potential for a leading position in the regional innovation ecosystem, especially in the Central Asian region. The fact that real activities are taking place in Baku in the fields of “e-commerce”, “edtech”, “digital transformation” and “green technology”, and thus increasing investment attractiveness, plays an important role in the formation of these indicators.

The head of the “Enterprise Azerbaijan” portal noted that the “Global Startup Ecosystem” report of “StartupBlink” is formed annually on the basis of quantitative, qualitative and business environment indices characterizing various areas of the ecosystem for each country. Azerbaijan’s growing position in East-West trade communications, especially its increased cooperation with China, which is considered one of the world’s economic giants, provides the basis for the rapid growth of trade turnover in the region. This trend, in addition to reporting new investment opportunities, leads to an improvement in the business environment, increased competition and an increase in the demand for innovations.

State, private and non-governmental parties play a role in the development of the innovation ecosystem in Azerbaijan. Based on the dynamics, it is observed that the influence of players in the ecosystem is increasing every year.

Isa Gasimov emphasized that the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, which demonstrates a specific position among state agencies in the formation of a knowledge economy in Azerbaijan, as well as the “Enterprise Azerbaijan” portal operating under the Center, also have an important position in the development of the ecosystem. The “Startup School” project implemented by the “Enterprise Azerbaijan” portal has been operating for 3 years now. “Startup School”, which has played a role in the formation and market integration of dozens of startups through various activities (“bootcamp”, hackathon, competition, etc.), continues to benefit the ecosystem this year with the “Green and Digital Silk Road” international acceleration program.

Applications are accepted for the acceleration program from startup teams from Central Asia and countries located on the historical Silk Road, such as Azerbaijan, Hungary, Turkey, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and China. The program will use the advanced practices of the USA, South Korea, China, Germany, Turkey and Azerbaijan, and international experts and mentors will be involved in the acceleration phase.