Armenia is shifting from technology services to manufacturing and exporting its own products: RISE 2026 kicks off in June
YEREVAN, May 20. /ARKA/. The major high-tech exhibition RISE Powered by Silicon Mountains 2026 will be held June 3-4 at the K. Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex in Yerevan.
As Armenian Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan told reporters on Wednesday, Silicon Mountains has been held in Armenia for several years now, bringing together Armenian specialists and international experts, and serving as a platform for professional dialogue, forums, and industry meetings.
"2026 is no exception. Our partners from the Union of Employers in the Information and Communications Industry are planning to hold Silicon Mountains again this year. Following discussions, the idea emerged to organize the event in two stages – in June and November," Hayrapetyan said.
According to him, an exhibition of engineering products developed and manufactured in Armenia will take place in early June. The event will showcase the achievements of Armenian companies, as well as feature a forum and panel discussions.
Hayrapetyan noted that the government will co-finance the exhibition and forum to the tune of approximately 60 million drams.
"This is important for the government, as much has been said in recent years about Armenia's ability to strengthen its position as a technological powerhouse in the region. Our achievements are highly valued and welcomed. The time has come to transform ourselves from a country providing technological services to one that develops, manufactures, and exports our own products," Hayrapetyan emphasized.
The minister described this as a strategic vision for Armenia's technological strengthening and noted that the government considered it appropriate to support the initiative, as the development of engineering is a priority.
Speaking about engineering products, the minister singled out the defense industry, where, according to him, tangible progress has been recorded in recent years. He attributed this to the recognition of this area as strategic and the implementation of corresponding state policies.
Hayrapetyan also noted that, following the completion of the three-year program for 2023–2025, the time has come to create new venues where defense industry and engineering specialists can present their products, enter new markets, and develop export potential.
"This will become a platform for B2B meetings. As part of the forum, we also hope to increase the attractiveness of engineering and motivate the next generation to choose this field as a profession and a promising labor market where they can realize their potential and create added value for the country's economy," he said.
From a summit to a large-scale platform
UEICT Executive Director Eduard Musaelyan noted that over the years, Silicon Mountains has grown from a relatively small project into a prominent technology platform, bringing together major industry players and engaging speakers.
"We've been thinking about creating a conceptually compelling exhibition. It will be held not only on June 3–4, but also on November 3–4. The RISE concept, which will be presented in June, is unique. "It covers not only the defense industry but also the latest advances in engineering, innovation, and cybersecurity. By bringing all of this together, we want to clearly demonstrate the essence of Armenian engineering," Musaelyan said.
According to him, significant progress has been made in the defense industry in recent years, and one of the goals of the event is to present these changes to a wider audience. A forum will be held in parallel on three key topics: the defense industry, engineering solutions, and cybersecurity challenges.
Business Participation
"Since the event is dedicated to domestic products, speakers have been selected from among representatives of local companies. More than 40 companies will participate in the exhibition. Young people will also be involved, and the venue will host simulation events and training courses," said the Executive Director of UEICT.
He added that the exhibition will feature a special B2B zone for business meetings. Its purpose is to facilitate the demonstration of achievements, the development of new business contacts, and the strengthening of partnerships.
Economic Driver
Armen Baldryan, Head of UEICT and CEO of Unicomp CJSC, stated that over the past eight years, high-tech industry in Armenia has become not just a separate industry, but a driver of the economy and an important element in the development of the defense industry. At the same time, he noted, the sector requires greater systemic approach.
"It is gratifying to note that cooperation with the Ministry of High-Tech Industry is developing very dynamically, in a positive and progressive manner." The concept of the RISE forum is that Armenia has strong technology teams that have previously worked for the global ICT market and international industry. These include both large companies and R&D offices, as well as small Armenian startups. However, the results of this work have significantly contributed to the global economy," noted Baldryan.
According to him, one of the goals of the initiative is to promote the development of robust Armenian technology products.
"We have no alternative on this path: Armenian companies must actively collaborate with each other and, by joining forces, transform Armenia into a serious exporting country," he said.
Baldryan emphasized that the RISE forum should play a significant role in this process, helping companies find common ground in the fields of innovation, science, research and development, and engineering.
"This is one of the key paths to increasing the competitiveness of the Armenian economy, and it must encompass various sectors," concluded the head of UEICT.
About the Exhibition
The organizer of RISE Powered by Silicon Mountains 2026 is the Union of Employers in Information and Communications Technology (UEICT), founded in 2015. The union unites over 130 companies, employing over 30,000 people.
RISE stands for Research, Innovation, Science, and Engineering.
In 2026, Silicon Mountains RISE is being held for the first time as the spring expansion of the Silicon Mountains summit series. The event is dedicated to the presentation of high-tech products, innovative solutions, scientific developments, and engineering projects from Armenian companies, research centers, and teams.
The motto of RISE Powered by Silicon Mountains 2026 is "We Are Our Mountains: Ascend," symbolizing the strength, development, and progress of Armenian technological thought.
UEICT has held the annual Silicon Mountains Tech Summit since 2019. According to the organizers, over 100 speakers and over 6,000 participants have participated in the events since then. In 2024, the forum was held outside Yerevan for the first time, in Gyumri, and in 2025, at the COAF SMART Center in the Lori region.
