SMB

We believe Azerbaijan’s socio-economic development is closely linked with entrepreneurship and its future development!

Investment opportunities expand: the investment promotion mechanism now covers 17 strategic directions The territories liberated from occupation provide extensive opportunities for investors A blood donation campaign dedicated to Remembrance Day was held Delegation of representatives of the RIYADA organization from Oman visited “Baku SME House” Volunteer blood donation campaign will be held Entrepreneurs can apply to SME Houses to obtain licenses KOBİA representatives participated in an international seminar held in Turkey The next meeting of the permanent Coordination Group operating under KOBİA was held The next professional trainings within the framework of the “Karabakh SMEs 2026” project have been completed The provision of consulting services for entrepreneurs continues

In the first quarter of the current year, 16 “Startup” certificates were issued to entrepreneurs 20.04.26

Out of the entrepreneurs who received the “Startup” certificate, 10 are from the city of Baku and 6 are from the regions.

In January–March 2026, 29 micro and small entrepreneurs applied to the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA) to obtain a “Startup” certificate. Based on the “Criteria for determining a startup” approved by the Decision of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 29 January 2021, the Expert Council decided to issue “Startup” certificates to 16 micro and small entrepreneurs. Of the entrepreneurs who received the certificate, 10 are legal entities and 6 are individuals. Out of the startups, 10 are from the city of Baku and 6 are from the regions. Business entities that received the “Startup” certificate operate in production and service sectors, and the main directions of the startups include innovative solutions in areas such as e-commerce and digital marketing, healthcare technologies, online game development, travel and tourism services, digital payment systems and others.

It should be noted that the “Startup” certificate exempts SME entities, from the date of obtaining the certificate, from profit tax or income tax on income derived from innovation activities for a period of 3 years. The decision on the issuance or refusal of the “Startup” certificate is made by KOBİA on the basis of the opinion of the Expert Council. The Expert Council consists of 12 members under the Agency, including representatives of various state bodies and independent experts. Micro and small business entities may apply to KOBİA to obtain a “Startup” certificate. For detailed information: https://smb.gov.az/az/nav/startap-sehadetnamesi