NAYI Network of Armenian Young Innovators
Join NAYI

A nonprofit · Glendale · Yerevan · Worldwide

Network of Armenian
Young Innovators.

Uplifting the next generation of Armenian leaders in business, innovation, and creative industry — through mentorship, real networking, and opportunities that move careers forward.

Join NAYI Our story
  • Mentorship
  • Networking
  • Opportunities

Our mission

A space to connect,
collaborate, and create.

NAYI is a community-built nonprofit bringing together ambitious young Armenian professionals and students who want to make an impact. Through mixers, professional office hours, speaker series, and national gatherings, we are building a network of leaders who actively support each other’s growth.

From a single idea in April 2025 to a multi-chapter network spanning Glendale, Yerevan, and beyond — NAYI exists so the next generation of Armenian builders never has to do it alone.

A space to connect, collaborate, and create.
Alexander Kasumyan Founder & President
  • 500+ Attendees
  • 75+ Volunteers
  • $10K+ Raised
  • 3 Chapters
  • 01

    Community

    A network that actually shows up — for the new student, the first-time founder, the 3rd-time builder.

  • 02

    Leadership

    We build leaders by giving them rooms to lead in — mixers, programming, chapters, partnerships.

  • 03

    Innovation

    Armenian heritage has always been about building firsts. NAYI is the next chapter of that story.

What we do

Three pillars. One network.

Everything NAYI builds rolls up into three commitments to our members — repeatable, accountable, and built for the long run.

  • 01

    Mentorship

    Direct access to Armenian founders, executives, creatives, and operators who have built careers worth modeling — and who give back generously.

    • 1:1 mentor matching
    • Speaker series & masterclasses
    • Cohort-based guidance
  • 02

    Networking

    A real community — not a logo on LinkedIn. Members meet, collaborate, and unlock doors across industries through curated events and intimate gatherings.

    • Monthly mixers & socials
    • Industry-specific roundtables
    • Chapter exchanges
  • 03

    Opportunities

    Internships, referrals, partnership pipelines, and platforms that let young Armenians ship their ideas, get hired, and start something of their own.

    • Job & internship board
    • Startup & founder support
    • Sponsorships & scholarships

Our timeline

From a simple idea in 2025 to a national community.
In just over a year.

Scroll to travel

  1. Apr 2025 · Founding

    The idea takes shape.

    Founder Alexander Kasumyan imagines a space where young Armenians can meet, mentor each other, and build something bigger than themselves. NAYI begins.

  2. May 15, 2025 · First event

    First networking webinar.

    35+ young Armenians dial in for the very first NAYI event. Startup operator Eddie Konialian (DirectRope) is the inaugural guest speaker.

  3. Sep 11, 2025 · Workshop

    Exclusive AI workshop.

    A hands-on workshop with 50+ members exploring AI tools and what they unlock for Armenian builders, operators, and creatives.

  4. Sep 24, 2025 · Spotlight

    Armenian AI Innovators.

    A celebration of Armenian AI talent featuring industry leaders. 70+ members and partners in one room — the biggest NAYI gathering of the year.

  5. May 6, 2026 · Collab

    NAYI × KaraContent.

    NAYI partners with Kara Content for a Media Event in Sunland, CA. Co-founders Jasmin Mnasi and Ani Carol on building modern Armenian brands through smart social.

  6. Now · You

    The next chapter is yours.

    A network of 500+ across three chapters, 25+ volunteers, and $10K+ raised to keep the work going. The Armenian story continues with you.

NAYI x KaraContent Media Event flyer FLAGSHIP EVENT
NAYI × KaraContent — Media Event · Sunland, CA

Spotlight

Real rooms.
Real conversations.
Real outcomes.

From the NAYI × KaraContent media event to mentor mixers across Glendale and Yerevan, we put members in the same room as the founders, marketers, and operators they want to learn from — then we make sure something happens after the handshake.

169+ Stories shared
1,400+ Members & followers
3 Chapters & growing
See upcoming events

Heritage of innovation

Armenians have built firsts for centuries.
NAYI is the next chapter.

Scroll to journey

  1. 1990s · Tech

    PicsArt

    Founded by an Armenian entrepreneur and used by hundreds of millions worldwide — proof that Armenian innovation scales globally without losing its roots.

  2. 1567 · Print

    First printing press

    Armenians established the first non-Jewish printing press in Constantinople — laying type and laying foundation centuries before "disruption" was a buzzword.

  3. April 24 · Memory

    We remember

    NAYI honors Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. We build because we remember — and the future is part of how we honor the past.

  4. Now · You

    The next chapter is yours.

    A network of mentors, founders, students, and dreamers — connected across Glendale, Yerevan, and the diaspora. The Armenian story continues with you.

Keep exploring

Pick where you want to go next.

Take the step

Be the next
young Armenian
who built something.

Whether you're a student, founder, or somewhere in between — NAYI was built for you. Join the network, attend an event, or give back as a mentor or partner.

Join NAYI Become a mentor Partner with NAYI
  • 01 For members Apply to the next cohort, get matched with a mentor, and join your nearest chapter.
  • 02 For mentors Share what you've learned with the next generation of Armenian founders and creators.
  • 03 For partners Sponsor a cohort, host an event, or build a hiring pipeline of Armenian talent.