The "Turkmenistan – Country of Opportunities" competition for young innovators has concluded. For several months, it captivated schoolchildren, students, and young teachers dreaming of challenging themselves in the world of technology, science, and entrepreneurship. Its implementation was a logical continuation of the state's goals, which emphasize the development of creative initiative, digital literacy, and support for talented youth.

The competition was announced by the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan jointly with the Central Council of the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and the Magtymguly Youth Organization. TMT Consulting Group, as a partner, gave the event a modern, professional feel and ensured a high level of methodological and organizational support.

When the application process opened in September, it was clear that the competition had generated enormous interest: dozens of high school students, students from various universities, and young teachers presented their ideas, ranging from digital services to food security projects. In the context of a growing digital economy, such youth activism has become a clear confirmation that government policy to support innovation is resonating.

Selecting the best was no easy task. An expert committee carefully reviewed each application, assessing its practical significance, originality, and development potential. Ultimately, 23 semifinalists were selected from hundreds of applicants—young people who demonstrated bold thinking and a passion for creation even during the preliminary round.

After the results were announced, a new stage began for the semifinalists—one no less important than the competition itself. TMT Consulting Group hosted master classes, training sessions, and practical exercises, where experienced specialists helped the participants understand how to turn an idea into a viable product.

Here, they discussed the fundamentals of startup management, developed public speaking skills, and practiced pitches to potential investors. Participants were shown how to construct a logical presentation structure, how to explain complex concepts in simple terms, and how to answer the jury's challenging questions.

The classes took place in an atmosphere of creative focus rarely seen in classrooms: young innovators spent hours refining their pitches, debating, correcting mistakes, and rewriting business models.

To ensure that the competition was not just a competition but also a true professional experience, off-site introductory meetings were organized at leading enterprises. The young people saw production lines, logistics processes, engineering solutions—everything they had previously only read about in textbooks. This contact with the real sector gave their ideas dimension and depth.

The finals took place on November 25 at the new International University of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan—a symbolic venue that unites education, industry, and the entrepreneurial community.

On this day, the university auditoriums were transformed into a space for bright ideas and serious discussions. The finalists appeared before the jury nervous but confident. Each project involved a great deal of work, and each participant sought to demonstrate not just an idea, but a path to its development, its benefits for society and the future of the country.

During the final round, the jury didn't just evaluate the projects – they literally listened, tasted, and even smelled them, as the startups included some truly unusual and diverse ideas. For example, pumpkin flour and pumpkin-based products, a program that converts Turkmen speech into text, and fragrances created from plants from our natural environment. And this is just a small sample of what the participants presented – the final was rich, vibrant, and truly inspiring.

Two days later, the winners were announced. There were thirteen of them, representing two competition areas: information technology and food security.

Among the winners was the youngest – a 12th-grade student, whose work impressed the jury so much that he received a partnership offer from the country's leading bank. For him, participating in the competition marked the beginning of a long professional journey.

The winners were awarded certificates of honor and valuable gifts, and were given the opportunity to continue developing their projects with the support of TMT Consulting Group experts. But the most important thing the competition gave them was a sense of confidence, a sense of belonging to a greater cause, and self-confidence. The competition demonstrated that Turkmenistan's youth strive not only for knowledge but also for creativity. It became a bridge connecting education, technology, and entrepreneurship, a space where new ideas find their way to fruition.

And according to the organizers, such projects will continue to be held – because the success of young innovators today is an investment in the country's future.

Enejan KEPBANOVA, ORIENT