Alexis Ohanian announces launch of new Pan-Armenian digital platform at WCIT [video]

Entrepreneur and Reddit co-founder, Alexis Ohanian, and world-known Armenian-American rock musician, Serj Tankian, announced at the WCIT the launch of a new “Pan- Armenian digital platform.”

The announcement was made at the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) in Yerevan, Armenia. Tankian explained that the platform, called HighConnect, will unite Armenians throughout the world “to prosper and succeed.”

World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT)

“Get together, build connections and cooperate”

Tankian said that millions of Armenians are spread around the globe; creating a need for the diaspora “to get connected”. He said that the team has been discussing this project for the past year, and added:

“We, Armenians, deserve this. […] The platform will enable Armenians in every corner of the world to get together, build connections and cooperate.”

Alexis Ohanian noted that the project was “quite exciting”. He said that along with Tankian and producer Erik Israyelian, he realised the exceptional opportunities they have and the need to utilise it:

“This is something we’re all very excited about. […] We realised how many opportunities we are fortunate enough to have, that we’ve found through genuine relationships, through the ability to simply look for and help someone else out.”

Enabling the Diaspora to connect on a global scale

Ohanian also added that the HighConnect platform is “an obvious way for us to use software technology” and help the diaspora to connect on a worldwide scale.

In addition, Minister of High-Tech Industry Hakob Arshakyan announced the “Armenian virtual bridge” at the WCIT 2019, adding that will be built on the HighConnect platform. He explained:

“The Armenian Virtual Bridge will allow [Armenian] companies and entrepreneurs to be connected through the HighConnect network, with Silicon Valley and other parts of the world; with Armenian celebrities, entrepreneurs and influences.

In addition, the platform will provide support for tech startups. Minister Arshakyan said, as an example, that an entrepreneur from Kazakhstan, Russia or Belarus will have the opportunity to meet Ohanian or Tankian. He explains that it adds value:

“This great value should be open to the communities and countries around us. That would help us to become the centre; we should think big, we should propose that those countries come to Armenia because we have these opportunities.”

Enabling Armenian businesses to grow

Furthermore, he announced at the WCIT that those opportunities would be available to any Armenians living within the country, or in the Diaspora.

In essence, the project will enable any Armenian or Diaspora-based company to link directly to the world markets and international ecosystems.

“The virtual bridge will allow [us] to set up a company here for anyone. We should communicate this initiative with the world and attract investors to Armenia, offering wide opportunities for activity,” the minister said. 

Watch: Announcing the launch of the Armenian Virtual Bridge at WCIT 2019

Also read – WCIT 2019 – Here’s what you need to know about the prestigious ICT event