Interview with CAPAi Advisers from Impact Hub Yerevan

As part of the ongoing CAPAi Design Thinking Tech Bootcamp, the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) was pleased to welcome to its campus representatives of Impact Hub Yerevan, CEO Gevorg Poghosyan (on the right in the image above) and Board Member Nazareth Seferian (on the left). After lending their expertise to the participants during the sixth day of the bootcamp, they granted an interview to AUK Content Writer Michael Collins. Here is the transcript of their exchange:

The Center for Academic and Professional Advancement (CAPA) at AUK promotes an explicit “mission” and an explicit “vision.” What would you say are the “mission” and the “vision” of Impact Hub Yerevan? Do they align at all with the mission and vision of CAPA?

Mr. Poghosyan: “Our mission is to build an ecosystem of social innovation in Armenia. Our mission perfectly aligns with CAPA’s because they also work with youngsters to come up with startup ideas.”

Mr. Seferian: “The vision is one of a society in which people independently, collaboratively, and innovatively tackle problems. The environment in which CAPA works is one in which there are also many problems that can be solved through concerted effort.”

How similar is the CAPAi Design Thinking Tech Bootcamp to what you do in Armenia?

Mr. Poghosyan: “It is quite similar in its theory, but quite different in its practice. The bootcamp is perfect for quick results, but our focus is on the incubation process, by design taking longer and emphasizing sustainable results.”

Based on your first impressions of Kurdistan, do you think an organization like yours could work here, now or in the near future, beyond the walls of AUK?

Mr. Poghosyan: “I think that in countries like this one, where there are multiple challenges and opportunities simultaneously, organizations like ours, with the raison d’etre of bringing positive change to society, are much needed.”

Mr. Seferian: “Absolutely. There are many problems that need to be addressed, but there is so much talent ready to solve those problems with the right guidance.”

Mr. Seferian, you gave a presentation on the “value proposition canvas.” Could you summarize what this is, in just one or two sentences, for those not fortunate enough to have attended the presentation?

Mr. Seferian: “It is a tool for entrepreneurs that helps them think about their product or service from the customer’s point-of-view. It helps design products and services that are more competitive and effective.”

At the end of your presentation, Mr. Seferian, you gave the bootcamp participants a task in which they were supposed to create customer profiles. How does this exercise develop them as entrepreneurs?

Mr. Seferian: “It helps them focus on the most essential features of their product or service and figure out the target customer for whom they create the most value.”

If you were an entrepreneur just starting out today, which CAPAi track would you be most interested in, educational, civic, or health? Why?

Mr. Poghosyan: “I would choose civic tech because I enjoy creating business model solutions for various civic problems, like generating employment for vulnerable groups.”

Mr. Seferian: “Personally, I like ed tech. As a father of three, quality education is very important to me.”

Please do your best to form a composite impression of the CAPAi participants based on your interactions with them today. What do you see as a general strength of theirs? What do you see as a general area for growth of theirs?  

Mr. Poghosyan: “A general strength is that each of the teams demonstrates a thorough understanding of the chosen problem. Personal motivation was likewise generally excellent.”

Mr. Seferian: “They could use some creativity on the paths forward and more discipline to focus on the most effective one.”