Xsolla Set to Launch the Xsolla StarNest Academy and Incubator Program in Baku
Collaboration in Azerbaijan Aims to Build a Thriving Game Development Ecosystem and Empower Local Talent with New Programs Launching in 2025
Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, has announced a strategic partnership with StarNest and Azerbaijan’s 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 features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209823866/en/
(Graphic: Xsolla)
Gamesummit Winter Edition 2024 spotlighted the growth of the gaming industry in Azerbaijan, featuring discussions on trends, global best practices, and presentations of locally developed games. At the festival, IDDA and Xsolla revealed plans to empower local developers, game designers, and studios with cutting-edge training, incubation and accelerator programs, and access to financial and technological resources. This partnership will redefine Azerbaijan's role in the global gaming industry while fostering local talent and innovation.
“This collaboration opens up extensive opportunities for implementing joint projects that will drive the development of Azerbaijan's gaming sector,” said Yevgeniya Bikmurzina, Head of IDDA's Innovation Ecosystem Department. “Azerbaijani game studios will have access to the tools and resources needed to make a mark in the global market.”
“This partnership represents a significant milestone for Xsolla as we collaborate with Azerbaijani leaders to unlock the region’s potential,” said 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 empower the next generation of talent in Azerbaijan and drive meaningful innovation with global impact.”
Xsolla Incubator & Accelerator in Azerbaijan
The Xsolla Incubator and Accelerator will support Azerbaijan's game development community by providing tools, mentorship, and resources to turn ideas into successful projects. The Incubator will help early-stage developers refine concepts, gain technical expertise, and collaborate with international experts. The Accelerator will assist established studios in scaling their projects, offering access to funding, mentorship, and global industry connections. These programs aim to position Azerbaijan as a key player in the gaming industry, creating opportunities for local talent to succeed globally.
Xsolla StarNest Academy
The Xsolla StarNest Academy will provide 90 young individuals with specialized training in game development. Additionally, an incubation program will launch in 2025 to support local game studios, offering mentorship from international experts, access to financial resources, and opportunities to showcase games globally.
StarNest, an Azerbaijani telecommunications company, will lead efforts to secure a dedicated facility for the Academy, ensuring an environment conducive to growth and learning. IDDA will offer strategic oversight to align the initiative with Azerbaijan’s national goals for digital transformation.
Regional Headquarters
Xsolla is also exploring options to establish its regional headquarters for Central Asia in Baku to further support its commitment to the community and game developers in the region. Not only will it serve as a regional hub, but also a technology center for the leading edge development and support of its industry leading solutions.
With the Xsolla StarNest partnership this marks a new chapter for Azerbaijan’s gaming sector reflecting the shared vision to position the country as a regional game development and digital innovation leader.
This groundbreaking collaboration sets the stage for Azerbaijan to become a hub for gaming innovation and talent development. For more information, please visit: xsolla.blog/azerbaijan
About Xsolla
Xsolla is a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the industry. Since its founding in 2005, Xsolla has helped thousands of game developers and publishers of all sizes fund, market, launch, and monetize their games globally and across multiple platforms. As an innovative leader in game commerce, Xsolla’s mission is to solve the inherent complexities of global distribution, marketing, and monetization to help our partners reach more geographies, generate more revenue, and create relationships with gamers worldwide. Headquartered and incorporated in Los Angeles, California, with offices in London, Berlin, Seoul, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Raleigh, Tokyo, Montreal, and cities around the world.
For more information, visit xsolla.com
About the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA)
IDDA is an Azerbaijani government agency specializing in digital diplomacy and analytics, offering research, training, and consultancy to enhance the digital presence of institutions. It plays a pivotal role in shaping modern diplomatic strategies through digital tools and data analysis.
For more information, visit idda.az
About StarNest
StarNest is a leading Azerbaijani telecommunications company providing internet and networking solutions, including broadband services, corporate connectivity, 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 prominent organization in Azerbaijan focused on the development of the gaming industry. Through events like Gamesummit Winter and Summer Editions, it creates opportunities for local game studios, promotes innovation, and raises awareness about career prospects in gaming and esports.
For more information, visit gamesummit.ai
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209823866/en/
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Tecnotree Included as a Representative Provider in Gartner® Innovation Insight: AI SOC Agents Accelerate CSP SecOps Transformation31.12.2025 11:59:00 CET | Press release
Tecnotree, a global digital platform and services provider for communications service providers (CSPs), today announced that it has been referenced as a Representative Provider alongside Google, Anthropic, Dropzone AI, DRUID, Palo Alto Networks, and Pegasystems in the Gartner® Innovation Insight: “AI SOC Agents Accelerate CSP SecOps Transformation,” published in December 2025. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251231210303/en/ Tecnotree Included as a Representative Provider in Gartner® Innovation Insight: AI SOC Agents Accelerate CSP SecOps Transformation The Gartner Innovation Insight examines the emerging role of AI-driven Security Operations Centre (SOC) agents in CSP environments, outlining how these agents are used to automate and augment security operations across signalling, core networks, RAN, Open RAN, and roaming domains. The research discusses use cases such as alert triage, investigation support, thr
UAE’s Medcare Treats First International SMA Patient With Revolutionary Intrathecal Gene Therapy30.12.2025 15:15:00 CET | Press release
The newly licensed intrathecal gene therapy expands life-changing treatment options for children and adults affected by SMA Medcare Women & Children Hospital has successfully administered a pioneering intrathecal gene therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) to Hulus, a three-year-old patient from Turkey. This milestone positions Medcare among the first private healthcare providers worldwide to offer this innovative treatment to an older international patient, overcoming previous age and weight limitations. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251230695275/en/ World's first international patient, who received intrathecal gene therapy at Medcare Royal Hospital in Dubai, UAE, along with parents, and the hospital team. (Photo: AETOSWire) SMA is a rare neuromuscular disorder that progressively weakens muscles responsible for movement and breathing. This newly licensed one-time therapy addresses the root genetic cause
Amazfit Introduces Active Max: Bigger, Brighter, and Built for Maximum Performance30.12.2025 09:00:00 CET | Press release
The newest member of the Active family blends new design, expanded storage, and longer battery to help users train smarter and reach their goals with confidence. Amazfit, a leading global smart wearable brand by Zepp Health (NYSE: ZEPP), today announces the Amazfit Active Max, the newest member of the Amazfit Active family. Built for everyday athletes and anyone looking to elevate their wellness routine, Active Max blends a 1.5″ ultra-bright AMOLED display, up to 25 days of battery life, easy podcast listening and advanced training tools to support consistent training and clearer visibility across any activity. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251230279762/en/ Bigger Display. Max Clarity: A 1.5″ ultra-bright AMOLED display delivers exceptional clarity in any setting—whether in the gym, outdoors, or on the move. With up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, the screen ensures real-time stats are always easy to read.
2026 Future of Fitness Report: Experts from Coherent Solutions Turn Years of Fitness Industry Software Engineering Work Into a Guidebook on Future-proof Digital Transformation in Fitness29.12.2025 18:48:00 CET | Press release
Coherent Solutions has released its 2026 Future of Fitness report, capturing years of domain knowledge from helping emerging and global fitness brands drive digital transformation, innovate, and improve member engagement. “The Future of Fitness: Winning with Digital Value Creation” takes lessons from real projects and fitness enthusiasts, turning them into a guidebook for the next era of fitness. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251229965712/en/ New Fitness Tech Whitepaper by Coherent Solutions While the global fitness market is on track to surpass $257 billion, and brands are expanding globally, pioneering new regions, and implementing new technologies, the report highlights the most effective growth trajectory in acknowledging the importance of technology as equal to supporting the fitness community. "Most people only spend 3–5 hours a week in a gym. That leaves 160+ hours where their choices and habits are i
Hanshow and the University of Cambridge Launch Joint Research on Augmented Intelligent Hybrid Wireless Technology25.12.2025 12:34:00 CET | Press release
Hanshow, a global leader in electronic shelf labels (ESL) and digital store solutions, has entered into a multi-year research collaboration with the University of Cambridge, one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions. The partnership will focus on joint research and innovation in next-generation intelligent hybrid wireless technologies, marking an important milestone in Hanshow’s continued investment in core technologies and long-term innovation. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251225988816/en/ This collaboration leverages the University of Cambridge’s deep expertise in fundamental wireless technology research, alongside Hanshow’s extensive industry experience, to further strengthen multi-protocol integration capabilities and expand scalable applications across diverse retail scenarios. Guided by shared principles of innovation, collaboration, openness, and knowledge sharing, the two parties aim
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom