Xsolla, a global video game trading company, has announced a strategic partnership with StarNest and the Azerbaijan Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA) to establish the Xsolla StarNest Academy and Incubator Program. This transformative collaboration was unveiled at the region's largest gaming festival, Gamesummit Winter Edition 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan.
This press release contains multimedia content. View the full release here:
(Graphics: Xsolla)
The Winter Edition 2024 of Gamesummit put the spotlight on the growth of the gaming industry in Azerbaijan and featured discussions on trends, global best practices and presentations of locally developed games. During the festival, IDDA and Xsolla will unveil their plans to support regional developers, game designers and studios with innovative training, incubation and acceleration programs and access to financial and technological resources. This partnership will redefine Azerbaijan's role in the global gaming industry while promoting regional talent and innovation.
“This collaboration creates a variety of opportunities for the implementation of joint projects that will advance the development of the gaming sector in Azerbaijan,” explains Yevgeniya Bikmurzina, Head of the Innovation Ecosystems Department at IDDA. “Azerbaijani game studios will gain access to the tools and resources they need to establish themselves in the global market.”
“This partnership is a significant milestone for Xsolla as we work alongside Azerbaijani decision-makers to unlock the region's potential,” commented Rytis Joseph Jan, SVP of Global Strategic Partnerships at Xsolla. “By combining our global expertise with the visionary leadership of our partners, we aim to nurture the next generation of talent in Azerbaijan and launch meaningful innovations with a global impact.”
Xsollas incubator and accelerator in Azerbaijan
Xsolla's Incubator and Accelerator will support the game development community in Azerbaijan by providing tools, mentorship and resources to turn ideas into successful projects. In the initial phase, the incubator developer will help refine concepts, gain technical know-how and collaborate with international experts. Established studios are supported by the accelerator in scaling projects and receive access to their funding, mentors and connections to the global industry. These programs aim to position Azerbaijan as key players in the gaming industry and provide new opportunities for local talent to succeed globally.
Xsolla StarNest Academy
The Xsolla StarNest Academy will provide 90 young people with specialized training in game development. In addition, an incubation program to support regional game studios will be launched in 2025, including mentorship from international experts, access to financial resources and opportunities to demonstrate games worldwide.
StarNest, an Azerbaijani telecommunications company, will take the lead in creating a suitable facility for the academy to promote growth and learning. The IDDA will provide strategic oversight of the initiative to align it with the Azerbaijani government's national digital transformation goals.
Regional headquarters
Xsolla is also exploring various options to establish its Central Asia regional headquarters in Baku and further strengthen its community and game developer efforts in the region. This will not only serve as a regional hub, but also as a technology center for the development and support of its industry-leading solutions.
The Xsolla StarNest partnership marks the start of a new chapter for the Azerbaijani gaming sector, driven by a shared vision to establish the country as a regional leader in game development and digital innovation.
This groundbreaking collaboration creates the conditions for Azerbaijan to become a hub for gaming innovation and talent development. Further information is available at: xsolla.blog/azerbaijan.
About Xsolla
Xsolla is a global video game trading company with a robust, powerful suite of tools and services designed specifically to meet the needs of the industry. Since its founding in 2005, Xsolla has helped thousands of game developers and publishers of all sizes finance, market, launch and monetize their games globally and across platforms. As an innovation leader in gaming commerce, at Xsolla we aim to address the inherent complexities of global sales, marketing and monetization, helping our partners reach more geographies, generate more revenue and build relationships with gamers worldwide. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with offices in London, Berlin, Seoul, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Raleigh, Tokyo, Montreal and other cities worldwide.
For more information, visit xsolla.com.
About the Agency for Innovation and Digital Development (IDDA)
IDDA is an agency of the Government of Azerbaijan responsible for digital diplomacy and analytics, providing research, training and advice to strengthen the digital presence of institutions. She plays a central role in shaping modern diplomatic strategies through digital tools and data analysis.
Further information at idda.az.
About StarNest
StarNest is a leading Serbian telecommunications company providing Internet and network solutions, including broadband services, enterprise connections and IT infrastructure support. StarNest is dedicated to enabling technological growth and digital transformation across Azerbaijan.
For more information, visit starnest.io.
About GameSummit
GameSummit is a major organization in Azerbaijan focused on the development of the gaming industry. Through events like the Gamesummit Winter and Summer Editions, they open up opportunities for local game studios, promote innovation and raise awareness of career prospects in gaming and esports.
For more information, visit gamesummit.ai.
The source language in which the original text is published is the official and authorized version. Translations are included for better understanding. Only the language version that was originally published is legally valid. Therefore, compare translations with the original language version of the publication.
View original version on businesswire.com:
Media contact
Derrick Stembridge
Global Director of Public Relations, Xsolla
[email protected]
© Business Wire, Inc.
Disclaimer:
This press release is not a document created by AFP. AFP assumes no responsibility for their content. If you have any questions, please contact the contact persons/offices listed in the text of the press release.
