Rohini Pandhi — Speaker of HIVE Tech Summit 2019 reflecting on her experience in Armenia
The tenacity, optimism, and hospitality of the Armenian people was immediately apparent to me on my first visit to the country as part of HIVE’s 2019 group trip. I went to Armenia with the goal of meeting amazing entrepreneurs and helping to propel their businesses by providing face-to-face input on their startups. During our short week in Armenia, I met with dozens of startups led by eager founders with visionary ideas. In the process, I also learned so much about the Armenian people and their culture.
During our one-on-one sessions, we met with impressive startups, including: Krisp (an app that removes all background noises for incoming and outgoing calls), AppearMe (a network of on-demand freelance and appearance attorneys), and Expper (a robotics company building a companion for children’s care with the Hematology Center in Yerevan). These companies found a direct problem to solve with novel tech, efficient operations, and beautiful product design. Though each startup had a unique core mission and specialty, all the entrepreneurs I met with were smart, passionate, and driven professionals. Our advice to these founders ranged from go-to-market to product and growth recommendations, but aside from those conversations, what stood out the most was that these future leaders exhibited sincere “unteachable” qualities — perseverance, drive, passion, and humility. That assured me that their success is all but guaranteed.
Outside of our experiences with these startups, we traveled to many well-known sites in Yerevan, offering us a peek into Armenia’s rich culture. We visited Geghard, a cavernous, medieval monastery surrounded by beautiful cliffs. As we were taking in its history and a breathtaking backdrop, we were treated to an impromptu choral performance, and we felt instantly transported to a bygone era. As we poured out of Geghard affected by that magical moment, we were met with a vendor selling fresh lavash on the cobblestone streets. Adding to our embarrassment of riches, we found that all the Armenians we met, both strangers and hosts alike, were so incredibly hospitable and warm.
Fittingly, one of our last stops in Yerevan was at the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, a free education center specializing in technology and design for teenagers. The TUMO Center is a shining reminder of Armenia’s emphasis on technology and nurturing its talented young minds through education.
In the few short days that I was privileged to spend in Armenia, I sensed the strong spirit of entrepreneurialism and innovation that will assuredly guide its tech ecosystem to become a major player on the world stage. I am honored to have had the opportunity to interact with the amazing talent of Armenia.
Thank you HIVE!
