SMB

We believe Azerbaijan’s socio-economic development is closely linked with entrepreneurship and its future development!

Training events are being conducted within the framework of the Business Partnership Programme 35 "Startup" Certificates have been issued during the elapsed period of the current year For the attention of entrepreneurs operating in the Gabala and Ismayilli Districts! Interest in SME Houses as an innovative model in the field of business services is increasing Additional 55 people were engaged in training within the framework of the “Karabakh SME 2026” project More than 312,000 services were provided to entrepreneurs in SME Houses in the first half of 2026 Applications of entrepreneurs were considered at KOBİA In the first half of 2026, the KOBİA Call Centre via number 131 responded to approximately 5,000 enquiries The next meeting within the framework of the "Investment Journey" project was held in the city of Aghsu Business projects that have received the "Startup" Certificate are developing

35 "Startup" Certificates have been issued during the elapsed period of the current year 21.07.26

The projects that have received the "Startup" Certificate cover the fields of e-commerce, artificial intelligence, fintech, education, public catering, transport and logistics, and the energy infrastructure of electric vehicles.

In January–June 2026, the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA) received 87 applications from micro and small business entities for obtaining the "Startup" Certificate. The applications were evaluated by the Expert Council established for the issuance of the relevant document, on the basis of the "Criteria for the Determination of a Startup", approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 29 January 2021, and a decision was adopted on the issuance of the "Startup" Certificate to 35 entrepreneurs.

Among the entrepreneurs who received the certificate, 28 are legal entities and 7 are natural persons. Of them, 26 operate in the city of Baku, while 9 operate in the regions. Among the entrepreneurs who received the relevant document, 2 are women entrepreneurs.

The projects that have received the "Startup" Certificate cover innovative solutions in the fields of e-commerce, artificial intelligence, fintech, education, public catering, transport and logistics, the energy infrastructure of electric vehicles, industry, tourism and the digitalisation of business processes.

In total, until the present time, the "Startup" Certificate has been issued to 282 SME entities.

Note: the issuance of the "Startup" Certificate has been carried out since 2021. This document is issued by KOBİA. The "Startup" Certificate exempts an entrepreneur, for a period of 3 years, from profit tax or income tax on income obtained from innovation activity. Micro and small business entities whose projects are at the development stage may apply to KOBİA for obtaining the "Startup" Certificate. For detailed information: https://smb.gov.az/az/nav/startap-sehadetnamesi