SASTIC

Շնորհավոր Առաջին Հանրապետության օրը: Թող այս պատմական օրը շարունակի ոգեշնչել ուժ, միասնություն և առաջընթաց։ Happy First Republic Day, Armenia! May the legacy of May 28 continue to inspire strength, unity, and progress.

Continuing our “People Behind SASTIC” series let's get acquainted with Anto (Antranig) Paroian's story. What if you could perceive the reality and truth hidden in every blink, gesture, and carefully chosen word? One expert has dedicated most of his professional life to mastering this very skill, transforming the subtle science of non-verbal communication into a powerful tool for professionals worldwide. Antranig (Anto) Paroian is a globally positioned expert with a unique cross-cultural perspective, hailing from South Africa and now based in Cyprus. He has channeled a deep intellectual fascination with human psychology, specifically the nature of truth, the mechanisms of deception, and the underlying motives for deceit, into a distinguished professional discipline. As an expert master trainer in body language and non-verbal communication, Anto specializes in interpreting micro-expressions, analyzing verbal and non-verbal communication, employing advanced cross-examination techniques, and conducting forensic statement analysis. This rare expertise, grounded in a genuine passion for understanding human behavior, has established him as a sought-after public speaker, sales coach, and strategic trainer. He empowers professionals across critical sectors, including Human Resources, Sales, Law Enforcement and Legal Services, with the skills to uncover authenticity and enhance interpersonal intelligence. Something that not everyone knows about Anto is, he still does not know how to swim, hence why he is more of a mountains person than the sea, even though he lives on an island.

📍 SASTIC Funding Applications Are Open! If you are building a product, service, or prototype that creates meaningful impact and pushes innovation forward in the STEM sector, we want to hear from you. At SASTIC, we support projects that: • Create new value through innovation • Advance STEM fields while addressing real socio-economic challenges • Contribute to long-term progress and development in Armenia This could be your opportunity to take your project to the next stage. 📌 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dXjjEgmK

Armen Vardapetyan, let's, this time, meet his story: I joined Sastic a few years ago to support Armenian startups and contribute to building a stronger innovation ecosystem. My motivation was not simply to fund individuals or organizations, but to back meaningful projects that can create real transformation and long-term impact. I believe in empowering ideas that can evolve into tangible outcomes and help shape the future of Armenia. My vision is to see a strong and competitive Armenia, with growing capabilities in AI and other advanced fields, where innovative ideas are turned into real-world solutions that drive progress.” Short background: “Experienced Hardware Design Engineer with over 25 years of expertise in high-speed systems, signal integrity, and optical transceiver development. Proven track record across companies like Apple and Intel, leading compliance, validation, and system optimization for high-volume products. Skilled in advanced communication technologies, with strong experience in simulation, automation, and debugging complex hardware systems. Adept at improving performance, yield, and manufacturability through data-driven analysis and cross-functional collaboration.” Fun facts about me: At just 10 years old, I was already aiming for the stars-literally-with dreams of becoming an astronomer. My childhood hobbies balanced sky and earth: exploring the cosmos while collecting stamps featuring flora and fauna. By age 12, my stamp collection skills weren’t just a hobby-I earned a bronze medal in a competition. I sang “Հայր մեր” (Our Father) inside the historic library of San Lazzaro degli Armeni-a unique Armenian cultural island in the heart of Venice. My journey connects Armenian heritage across four continents-America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East-through religion, trade, and historic migration routes.

🔶Easy Talks About Hard Things. This time, we are featuring the ABI: Armenian Bioinformatics Institute Institute, founded in 2021. The institute’s director, Lilit Nersisyan, presents their activities, laboratory operations, services, and various educational and research projects. You can watch the details of how this complex idea was brought to life with SASTIC’s support here: 👇 https://lnkd.in/da2K8nqB ____________________________________________ 🔶Պարզ լեզվով՝ բարդ գործերի մասին Այս անգամ կպատմենք 2021թ. հիմնադրված Հայաստանի կենսաինֆորմատիկայի ինստիտուտի մասին: Վերջինիս տնօրեն Լիլիթ Ներսիսյանը պատմում է ինստիտուտի գործունեության, լաբորատորիաների աշխատանքի, ծառայությունների, կրթական/հետազոտական նախագծերի մասին: ՍԱՍՏԻԿ-ի աջակցությամբ հերթական բարդ գաղափարի իրականացման մանրամասները կարող եք դիտել այստեղ👇

🔶Easy Talks About Hard Things. This time, we are featuring the ABI: Armenian Bioinformatics Institute Institute, founded in 2021. The institute’s director, Lilit Nersisyan, presents their activities, laboratory operations, services, and various educational and research projects. You can watch the details of how this complex idea was brought to life with SASTIC’s support here: 👇 https://lnkd.in/da2K8nqB ____________________________________________ 🔶Պարզ լեզվով՝ բարդ գործերի մասին Այս անգամ կպատմենք 2021թ. հիմնադրված Հայաստանի կենսաինֆորմատիկայի ինստիտուտի մասին: Վերջինիս տնօրեն Լիլիթ Ներսիսյանը պատմում է ինստիտուտի գործունեության, լաբորատորիաների աշխատանքի, ծառայությունների, կրթական/հետազոտական նախագծերի մասին: ՍԱՍՏԻԿ-ի աջակցությամբ հերթական բարդ գաղափարի իրականացման մանրամասները կարող եք դիտել այստեղ👇

This time, in our “People Behind SASTIC” series, we are featuring soft skills trainer and inner development coach Հեղինե Արմենյան Heghine Armenyan. Let’s get to know her story. Hi, my name is Հեղինե Արմենյան Heghine Armenyan. I have been a member of SASTIC since November 2020, as I highly value SASTIC’s mission and truly appreciate being part of the team. After 23 years of professional experience in international economic relations, including international trade and logistics, I made a major career shift and focused on the fields of self-awareness and personal development as a trainer and coach. I have now been conducting my own signature training programs for nine years.

Next in our “People Behind SASTIC” series: Arin, meet his story. My name is Arin Abed. I was born in Iran and relocated in the United States in 2009. I hold a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and have built my career within the semiconductor industry, primarily working with startups in the field of silicon photonics. I founded my consulting team, Hye Tech Optics, to provide advanced optical packaging solutions to clients. In addition, I am a co-founder of LobOptics, a company focused on developing innovative technologies in mid-infrared gas laser systems. My broader mission is to contribute to Armenia’s reemergence as a leader in the global technology landscape. Over the years, I have supported this goal through various initiatives, including co-organizing robotics competitions in the early 2000s, participating in Armenian technology events, delivering university talks, and contributing to projects as a consultant. The “Hye Tech Optics” name and logo speak for itself… SASTIC offers a structured platform that enables me to further align my efforts, expand my impact, effectively support this mission and introduce to likeminded individuals. A fun fact: my last name does not include the traditional “-ian/-yan” suffix due to a registration issue dating back to my great-grandfather’s time. Interestingly, during my ascent of Mount Ararat in 2007, this detail concealed my Armenian heritage from the local guide, allowing me to successfully reach the summit of this deeply symbolic landmark.

We’re launching a new series spotlighting the people behind SASTIC, the members who turned this vision into reality. We begin with one of our founding members, Emil Maghakian , whose journey and commitment reflect what SASTIC stands for. My career began in academia as a Computer Science instructor at Hollins College, but I soon moved into the tech industry. I spent 43 years working at companies including Hewlett-Packard, Flextronics, Kodak, and Microsoft, traveling to 19 countries and leading engineering teams globally. I am married to my wife, Adelina, and we have two children, Areg and Teny, and four grandchildren. We live in Northern California. Homenetmen (ՀՄԸՄ) has been a lifelong commitment. I joined as a scout at 12 and have remained active as an athlete, leader, coach, committee member, and benefactor. Since retiring from Microsoft in 2020, I have been lecturing to university students, investing in and mentoring Armenian startups, serving on boards including SASTIC, and consulting for international companies. Why I joined SASTIC Following the 2020 war, I felt a strong desire to deepen my engagement in Armenian national and economic development. A friend introduced me to SASTIC, and its mission immediately resonated with me. The concept of a Strategic Investment Community dedicated to advancing science and technology in Armenia aligned perfectly with my values and experience. What stood out to me was the model: member dues become investments, and profits are reinvested. It’s a flywheel for long-term impact. I also greatly value the opportunity to collaborate with fellow members, individuals who are talented, forward-thinking, and deeply committed to Armenia’s future. Fun fact On August 10, 2024, I reached the summit of Mount Ararat with my son Areg, an unforgettable experience.

🔶Easy Talks About Hard Things. It's QaylTech's turn. This time, we’re featuring QaylTech / ՔայլՏեք. Founding Director David Arsenyan shares the story behind the company’s mission: developing life-changing rehabilitative and assistive devices for people with musculoskeletal challenges. Curious how a complex idea turns into a real-world solution with SASTIC’s support? Watch the full story here: 👇 https://lnkd.in/d7tpwgRC 🔶Պարզ լեզվով՝ բարդ գործերի մասին Այս անգամ հերթը ՔայլՏեք ընկերությանն է, որի հիմնադիր-տնօրեն Դավիթ Արսենյանը ներկայացնում է ընկերության գործունեությունը: Մասնավորապես հենաշարժողական խնդիրներ ունեցող մարդկանց համար այստեղ ստեղծվում են վերականգնողական և աջակցող սարքավորումներ: ՍԱՍՏԻԿ-ի աջակցությամբ հերթական բարդ գաղափարի իրականացման մանրամասները կարող եք դիտել այստեղ👇