The Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA) recommends entrepreneurs to obtain a "Startup" certificate for income-generating projects that are in an active growth phase. Since this document contains a large amount of concession for a period of 3 years, entrepreneurs are eligible to benefit from it more efficiently and invest this income from the relevant project during that period in the development of the project and its recognition in the international arena. Nevertheless, enabling environment brought about by "Startup" certificate cannot be limited to the 3-year exemption from profit and income tax on the income generated by the business entity through from innovations. The "Startup" certificate also incentivizes both local and foreign investors to invest in the startup and furthers their access to foreign markets.

Mehriban Malikova, founder and director of "MIE Azerbaijan" LLC, is one of the startups in Azerbaijan that has launched its product on the world's largest online shopping website - "Amazon".

M. Malikova, who carried out business activities as a natural person, later switched her business onto the educational sector: "An opportunity emerged for us during the pandemic. We taught educators how to use online technologies, however, as demand for our activities grew, we shifted from volunteering to paid work. To operate in compliance with the tax legislation, we have registered and established our company under the name of “MIE Azerbaijan" LLC. Then we got acquainted with startup projects. Coming across an announcement of KOBİA, “you can buy a startup project”, we prepared a presentation and applied for a startup certificate and subsequently received the certificate."

M. Malikova emphasized the fact that by applying new technologies, the company organizes international and local trainings, conferences, and competitions, supports the development and implementation processes of projects in various fields, sells digital books on Amazon, and provides publishing services for the books of Azerbaijani authors to the global market. Services provided by the company are available not only to citizens of Azerbaijan, but also to people from any country: "I was one of those who placed orders for products on Amazon 10 years ago. Then I could not help but ponder if there were other options   for me to sell products on this platform? I have been doing research on this matter for the past few years. Having completed my research, it became clear that we could sell our digital product, despite the fact that it would be challenging to introduce our food products in that market. There are certain standards set by them - the content should not contain Nazism, calls for terrorism, plagiarism, size should be within the specified limits, etc. No logistics or special food certificates is required to place products in this market. "Read the rules, work and earn your money!" we are guided by this approach in our work".

According to her, they have been selling their products on Amazon for more than a year. Within the scope of the "International Book Project", digital book samples are offered on "Amazon": "Digital content is created with the help of artificial intelligence. Then, natural intelligence views are taken by experts and after reaching a form adapted to world book standards, our product is published on Amazon for the target market we have selected. If we can increase our sales, we will be able to benefit more from the global market to the country's budget and our business."

The entrepreneur said that continuous marketing efforts should be carried out in order to maintain customers` interest in products at the same level on Amazon. Without marketing efforts, no matter what product you launch, you will not become a "bestseller". However, after some marketing efforts, sales numbers are inclined to rise.

Stating that the last time they received an order from Austria, the entrepreneur added that the number of products on "Amazon" has increased and they have become a library.

"There is already an Azerbaijani library formed on Amazon," noted M. Malikova, who said that they have organized the sale of 100 books on this market so far. The authors of majority of these books are Azerbaijanis: "Unlocking Your Inner Creativity: Unleashing Your Imagination", "Science of Happiness: Discovering the Key to a Fulfilling Life", "Mastering Time Management: Strategies for Productivity and Success", "Smart Entrepreneur: Cultivating Success with Purpose and Entity", "Navigating Changes: Embracing Uncertainty and Thriving in Transition", "Power of Positive Thinking: Changing Your Mind-set for Success", "Unlocking Your Potential: Strategies for Personal Development and Achievement", "Art of Effective Communication: Building Strong Relationships in the Digital Age", and Finding Balance: Improving Your Well-Being in a Busy World". Readers can order these books electronically or in print in line with their preferences.

Noting that they also took place in the grant competition held by KOBİA for the development of the project, M. Malikova announced that their projects have already generated substantial amount of income: "We have not invested in this project. I launched the project with no funds. All I had was a computer, internet connection and an ardent enthusiasm to impart a fresh knowledge. We have been able to generate income only through our intellectual power."

M. Malikova stated that she also benefited from the opportunities provided by the start-up certificate: "When we just launched our business, we did not receive large orders or projects. If we had to pay taxes at that time, we could not have improved and become who we are today. However, due to the tax holidays provided by the start-up certificate, we managed to grow and generate more income."

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