As part of startup entrepreneurship efforts on the USAID Turkmenistan Youth Development Activity (YDA), J.E. Austin Associates (JAA) introduced courses on Digital Marketing and digital advertising in 2022-2023 at the School of Entrepreneurs, which operates under the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.

The Ministry of Education in Turkmenistan officially licensed this course, and the School of Entrepreneurs currently organizes the pilot Digital Marketing and Digital Advertising Course in the School’s regional branches, using curriculum and materials developed by YDA experts..

Key objectives of the Startup Ecosystem Program, jointly organized by the National Public Association “Union of Economists of Turkmenistan” and YDA, include 1) the establishment and development of local business incubators that support young entrepreneurs’ innovative business ideas; and 2) supporting the emergence of a community of business mentors and venture investors in Turkmenistan.

Representatives of international business also acted as mentors. During preparation for the final competitions, JAA Senior Consultant Karen Isahakyan gave program participants practical advice and tips on how to improve their pitches as part of the webinar “Foreign Experience in Creating and Doing Business.” Ayna Bayramova, YDA’s Partnership and Private Sector Engagement Lead, led the program on behalf of YDA.

JAA has been heavily involved in the field of research commercialization as it pertains to these entrepreneurship efforts. It is planned to develop methodological materials and implement the first pilot project and JAA representatives will be included at this stage.

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