Baku's INMerge Summit: The Startup Pitch That Could Launch Your Global Dreams

Jan de Vries · 2026-11-12

The INMerge Innovation Summit is back in Baku from November 30 to December 1, 2026. And this year, it's not just about big names—it's about big opportunities for startups like yours. Hosted at the Baku Convention Center, the summit will bring together more than 200 internationally renowned speakers. But the real story? Over 1,300 startups from 94 countries applied to showcase their ideas. That's a lot of competition. And a lot of proof that this event is becoming a global launchpad. ### From Tennis Courts to Boardrooms: Maria Sharapova Joins the Lineup Among the headline speakers is Maria Sharapova. You probably know her as a five-time Grand Slam champion and 2025 inductee into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. But these days, she's an entrepreneur and investor. She serves on the Board of Directors of luxury fashion brand Moncler and is a New York Times bestselling author. Her journey from sports to business is a masterclass in reinvention. Joining her is Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Google X and bestselling author of *Solve for Happy* and *Scary Smart*. Gawdat's insights into artificial intelligence and its impact on society are sure to spark some thought-provoking conversations. And then there's Greg Hoffman. He spent nearly three decades at Nike, rising from intern to Chief Marketing Officer. His book, *Emotion by Design*, is a must-read for anyone in branding. Hoffman knows how to create products that people don't just buy—they feel. Another prominent participant is Joel Mokyr, professor at Northwestern University and recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. His research into technological progress and economic growth will add a deeper academic perspective to the mix. ### The Startup Battle: $50,000 and a Ticket to the World Cup But let's get to the part that might matter most to you: the startups. Of the 1,300 applicants, 120 have been selected to showcase their ideas at the event. More than 40 will compete in INBattle, the summit's startup competition, for a $50,000 cash prize (that's €45,000). The winner also gets the chance to represent Azerbaijan at the Startup World Cup 2027. Think about that. A $50,000 prize and a global stage. For many early-stage startups, that's a game-changer. ### Why Baku? Why Now? Since its launch in 2021, INMerge has grown into a major regional platform connecting corporations, investors, startups, and government representatives from Azerbaijan, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The 2025 edition attracted over 5,000 participants, more than 180 speakers, 122 startups, and 80 investors. And it's not just about the numbers. It's about the connections. Through international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and investment opportunities, INMerge aims to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem and position Baku as an emerging hub for technology and entrepreneurship. So if you're a startup founder looking for funding, mentorship, or just a chance to pitch on a global stage, this might be your moment. The full speaker lineup and ticket information are available on the summit's official website. > "The best way to predict the future is to create it." – Peter Drucker That's what INMerge is all about. Creating the future of tech, one startup at a time.