Viva - the main partner of the State Award for Global Investment in High Technologies for 14 years

How to become a leading country in offering IT solutions? How to showcase to the world that Armenia has this potential? How to strengthen Armenia’s position on the global technological map? How to create an Armenian model of productivity and accelerate innovation in the country? As a leading technology company, Viva is committed to supporting the country’s development in all these areas.

For 14 years in a row, Viva has been the main partner of the State Award for Global Investment in High Technologies.

With the company’s support, world leaders in the IT and high technology sectors are invited to Armenia to receive the state award, in recognition of the solutions they have created, which have brought about significant changes in the global economy and people’s lives. Within the project, notable figures have been honored, including Craig R. Barrett, CEO and President of “Intel Corporation” (2010); Tsugio Makimoto, Chairman of the Society of Semiconductor Industry Seniors, former CEO of “Hitachi” (2013); Louis Pouzin, CEO at “Open-Root”, one of the founders of Internet (2016); Tony Fadell, founder of “Nest Labs”, creator of iPod (2017); Shantanu Narayan, CEO of “Adobe” (2022), and others.

Recently, Narayana Murthy, the founder of “Infosys” and the 2023 laureate of the RA State Prize for Global Contribution to High Technology, visited Armenia to receive the award. During his visit, he was hosted at the Viva office, where he participated in a joint press conference.

“I am honored to receive the State Prize of the Republic of Armenia for Global Contribution to High Technology and join the distinguished list of past laureates who have made significant contributions to the technological world. This award highlights the vital role of innovation in progress, and I am excited about the potential for collaboration between Armenia and the global technology community to further advance these efforts,” said Narayana Murthy in his remarks.

In 2014, Murthy was ranked 13th among CNBC’s 25 global business leaders. In 2012, Fortune magazine listed him among the 12 greatest entrepreneurs of our time. In 2005, The Economist ranked Murthy among the 10 most admired global business leaders. In March 2015, The Financial Times’ list of business pioneers in technology ranked him among the top 10.

“At first glance, the award may seem narrowly focused on a specific field. However, when viewed in a broader context, it becomes clear that the award is closely linked to enhancing our country’s role on the global stage, strengthening our competitive advantages, encouraging innovation, and sparking interest in the profession among young people. The awardees have one thing in common: each of them is a pioneer who has gone through a completely new, uncharted path to achieve their success. This is an example for young people not to be afraid, not to hesitate, to pave their own path, and to make their own mark in the field of innovation. The award is an incentive for the development and growth of high technologies, with a huge potential to contribute to GDP growth,” noted Viva General Director Armen Avetisian.

Viva has continuously supported the state in implementing the idea of ​​the award, contributing AMD 292.2 million over 14 years.

“This program, carried out in cooperation between the public and private sectors, is extremely important, both in terms of increasing Armenia’s visibility and influence in the field, and in terms of integrating key players in high-tech. There are many major players in the world of high technology, but only a few of them have made exceptional contributions to changing the course of human life. The award aims to honor such individuals, invite them to our country, and foster connections with our technological and scientific communities,” said Hovik Musayelyan, the Head of GIT Award Executive Board.

“This annual award ceremony, which brings famous people of the field to Armenia, who have changed and continue to change the world with their work, is another testament to our ongoing efforts to establish Armenia as a technological innovation center. Narayana Murthy’s journey can serve as an example for many young people: starting from scratch, striving, and achieving greatness through talent and hard work. And I am sure that thanks to this award ceremony and meetings with Narayana Murthy, the number of those young people in our country will increase. Inspired by his remarks, reputation and achievements, our youth will certainly contribute new ideas and innovations to the fields of science and technology,” said Ruben Simonyan, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of High-Tech of Armenia.