Noubar Nazarian YP Innovators Fund

With a global network spanning over 40 cities, AGBU Young Professionals represent Armenians of various backgrounds and interests. Through their insight and drive, the network creates a pipeline for diverse talents to collaborate and contributes to impactful projects and initiatives. The Noubar Nazarian YP Innovators Fund creates opportunities for AGBU YP groups to initiate projects of interest on a larger scale.

With a screening process that includes peer assessment and voting, the final grantee wins not only a financial incentive, but the support of the international network of AGBU Young Professionals. Proposals should offer innovative solutions to a specific current problem and have potential to lead to long-term sustainable change, locally or globally – whether in social, economic, cultural or environmental fields. 

In honor of Noubar Nazarian, his family created the eponymous YP Innovators Fund for innovative young Armenian entrepreneurs. The grant program was announced at AGBU FOCUS in Lebanon (2017) by the Nazarian family and with the first cycle winner awarded at pitch competition at FOCUS 2019 (São Paulo, Brazil). The three international finalists hailed from London, Paris and Seoul with a lively presentation from all three.'

The first grantee, “Little Armenias” by Ruben Koulaksezian from YP Paris created a global directory of local Armenian communities so that travelers can always find that special Armenian flair wherever they go. Prior to applying for the grant, Ruben had visited dozens of cities, collecting information, taking pictures and recording videos about hundreds of Armenian places, and published a travel guide book to illustrate the diversity of the Armenian global Diaspora. Since receiving the grant, Little Armenias has grown with thousands of Instagram followers who tune in to explore hidden Armenian gems around the world.

Important Info

Eligibility

Proposals for projects must be submitted through a local AGBU Young Professional Group. Funding will be provided to projects falling under various categories that relate to social entrepreneurship, including, but not limited to, the following areas of interest:

• Business/Finance
• Civic Engagement
• Education
• Environment
• High-tech/ Digital Solutions
• Health
• Leadership Development
• Tourism

NNIF is currently paused, and will resume accepting applications for 2027 disbursements.

Terms of the Award

The yearly budgeted financial assistance for the program is capped at $10,000. The applicant(s) may receive up to two consecutive years of funding based on the success of the first year's funding. 

Screening and Pitch Competition

• Young Professional groups endorse selections and submit them for consideration
• NNIF Selection Committee conducts internal reviews selecting 2-4 finalists
• Finalists prepare pitches with feedback from Selection Committee representatives
• Pitch competition at AGBU FOCUS, where attendees vote
• Winner announced at AGBU FOCUS Gala 

The winning proposal receives initial disbursements beginning in October. Recipient is then required to submit reports reflecting on progress towards the outcomes targeted in the grant proposal. The final progress report is due within 30 days following the close of the award year.

2019 finalists from London, Paris and Seoul together with members of the Nazarian family celebrating in Sao Paolo.