The official visit to Armenia by Kam Ghaffarian—the 17th laureate of the State Award of the Republic of Armenia for Global Contribution to the Field of High Technologies—began with a press conference
The official visit to Armenia by Kam Ghaffarian—the 17th laureate of the Republic of Armenia’s State Award for Global Contribution to the High-Tech Sector (Global High-Tech Award)—began today with a press conference held at Viva’s headquarters. Kam Ghaffarian has arrived in Armenia for a three-day official visit.
A globally recognized entrepreneur and leader in innovative ideas within the fields of space exploration and advanced technologies, Kam Ghaffarian is the founder or co-founder of the companies IBX, Axiom Space, Intuitive Machines, X-energy, and Quantum Space. Inspired by the historic human landing on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission, Kam Ghaffarian has dedicated his professional career to developing technologies that expand the possibilities for humanity’s presence in space, while simultaneously delivering tangible benefits to Earth. The companies he has founded or co-founded have made significant contributions to the advancement of commercial spaceflight, lunar exploration, cutting-edge energy solutions, and next-generation space infrastructure.
The event was attended by representatives of the awards organizing committee, government officials, as well as representatives from partner organizations, the media, and Armenia’s technology community. The speakers included Gevorg Mantashyan, Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia; Armen Avetisyan, General Director of Viva (the award’s main partner); Hovik Musayelyan, Director of Synopsys Armenia, coordinator of the award committee’s executive council and the international selection commission; and Garik Israelian, co-founder and creative director of the Starmus Festival.
The speakers emphasized the importance of hosting a world-renowned technological innovator in Armenia, highlighting the role of the Global High-Tech Award in strengthening ties between Armenia and the international scientific and innovation communities.
Inspired by the historic human landing on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission, Kam Ghaffarian has himself become a source of inspiration for many. Through his personal journey and the successes he has achieved, he demonstrates that even the most ambitious dreams can become reality when knowledge is combined with courage, purpose, and the determination to take action. Mr. Ghaffarian’s professional experience at NASA, his dedication to scientific advancement, and his commitment to leveraging these achievements for the betterment of humanity are of great value to us as well. His example proves once again that when a vision exists—supported by the right environment and the will to bring it to life—goals that once seemed impossible become attainable. Today, space serves not only as a realm for scientific research but also as a platform for the formation and development of new industries. "Through his work and the path he has taken, Kam Ghaffarian reminds us that there are far more possibilities than what we often perceive in our daily lives. His example inspires us to think more boldly, to look beyond the ordinary, and to believe that with knowledge, vision, and determination, even the most ambitious goals can be achieved," noted Gevorg Mantashyan, Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence of the Republic of Armenia.
During the press conference, the organizers presented the agenda for Kam Ghaffarian’s visit, which includes meetings with government officials, leaders in the technology sector, university students and faculty, media representatives, and members of Armenia’s emerging innovation ecosystem. Emphasizing the importance of inspiring future generations through the example of globally recognized innovators, Viva General Manager Armen Avetisyan stated: "Kam Ghaffarian’s story demonstrates that a dream has the power to change the world. The boundaries of what is possible are defined not only by the level of scientific and technological advancement but also by the strength of human will, the breadth of one’s mindset, and the courage to venture into realms where no one had dared to set foot before. It is precisely this belief in one’s own capabilities and potential that connects the child who once watched the first human landing on the Moon with awe, to the man who today leads the development of cutting-edge technologies for lunar exploration. Spanning these two points is an entire life dedicated to turning a dream into reality." For Viva, which has supported this award for 17 years, its value extends beyond merely recognizing outstanding achievements. If Kam Ghaffarian’s story inspires even a few young people to believe in their own potential and pursue their dreams, then we can truly say that our long-standing support for this award has borne fruit.”
As part of his visit, on November 3, Kam Ghaffarian will participate in the “Silicon Mountains Tech Summit 2026,” where he will deliver a keynote address, presenting his vision for the future of innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies. He will also visit the Matenadaran—one of Armenia’s most significant cultural and scientific institutions. On November 4, Kam Ghaffarian will meet with students and faculty at the National Polytechnic University of Armenia, where he will be awarded an honorary doctorate for his exceptional contributions to technological advancement. The agenda also includes a visit to Synopsys Armenia; participation in a special first-day cover cancellation ceremony dedicated to the "State Award of the Republic of Armenia for Global Contribution to the Field of High Technologies"; the opening of the "Alley of Fame" at Engineering City on November 5; media interviews; and a meeting with the Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence of the Republic of Armenia.
On the final day of his visit, Kam Ghaffarian will meet with university students in Armenia, visit the History Museum of Armenia, hold discussions with Armenian and international partners, and participate in meetings with high-ranking state officials, including the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan.
"Kam Ghaffarian truly embodies the spirit of the Global State Award for High-Tech. His remarkable journey—from a child inspired by humanity’s first steps on the Moon to becoming a leader in the field of space exploration—demonstrates how bold vision and innovation can contribute to the advancement of humanity." "When Synopsys initiated this award in 2009, the goal was to recognize leaders in the technology sector whose contributions—through innovative technologies—have had a long-term and significant impact on human life. Together with the Government of the Republic of Armenia and our partners, we are proud to continue this mission, to honor Kam as the 17th laureate of the award, and we look forward to welcoming him to Armenia," said Hovik Musayelyan, Director of Synopsys Armenia, who also coordinates the activities of the Award Committee’s Executive Council and the International Selection Committee.
Garik Israelian, co-founder and creative director of the Starmus Festival, addressed the emerging role of private individual initiatives in space exploration, as well as Kam Ghaffarian’s contributions to this endeavor: "The first space race had a profound impact on the development of science, technology, and humanity. Following a relative lull, we are now witnessing a new resurgence in the space industry, driven by private companies and innovators. Kam Ghaffarian is a key figure in this new era. His contributions to the development of space technologies, lunar exploration, and commercial spaceflight are opening up new possibilities for humanity."
Kam Ghaffarian expressed his gratitude for his nomination for the award and for the invitation to visit Armenia. In his remarks, he noted: "I have dreamed of visiting Armenia for years; being here today and receiving this prestigious award is a great honor for me. When you look at Earth from space, you realize that it is our shared home." "From up there, state borders and national or religious differences are not visible. Space unites us and reminds us of our shared responsibility. I believe that in the future, cities will be established in space, where people will live, work, and advance science and industry. Space exploration will unlock new possibilities in the fields of medicine, energy, and technology. One of my greatest dreams is for humanity to one day venture beyond the boundaries of the Solar System and reach other star systems. One of the most important missions of my life is to inspire people—especially the youth—to believe in their own potential, to choose the path of science and innovation, and to have the courage to pursue dreams that might even seem impossible. We are all one whole—connected to each other, to our planet, and to the universe." The highlight of the visit will be the official award ceremony, to be held on November 4 at the Residence of the President of the Republic of Armenia, during which the Global High-Tech Award will be presented to Kam Ghaffarian. The ceremony will be attended by government officials, leaders in the technology sector, representatives from the international and Armenian high-tech communities, academic circles, and partner organizations of the award.
During the ceremony, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia will present Kam Ghaffarian with the State Award of the Republic of Armenia for Global Contribution to the Field of High Technologies, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to space exploration, innovation, and the development of technologies that serve the well-being of humanity.
About the Award
Established in 2009 by a decree of the President of the Republic of Armenia, the Global High-Tech Award is presented to individuals whose achievements in the field of high technology have made a significant contribution to the development of humanity. For 17 years, the award has brought globally recognized innovative leaders to Armenia, creating exceptional opportunities for knowledge exchange, inspiration, and international cooperation.
The Global High-Tech Award was initiated and is supported by Synopsys Armenia. For 17 consecutive years, Viva has served as the primary partner of the award. The initiative is also supported by the Union of Employers of Information and Communication Technology (UEICT) and the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund. The laureates of the Republic of Armenia State Award for Global Contribution in the Field of High Technologies over the past 17 years are: Craig Barrett, former CEO of Intel Corporation (2010)
Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Inc. (2011)
Federico Faggin, Honorary Chairman of Synaptics, Inc. (2012)
Tsugio Makimoto, President of the Semiconductor Industry Senior Professionals Society and President of Techno Vision (2013)
Mario Mazzola, Chief Development Officer at Cisco Systems (2014)
Eugene Kaspersky, CEO and Chairman of Kaspersky Lab (2015)
Louis Pouzin, Internet pioneer and CEO of Open-Root (2016)
Tony Fadell, founder of Nest Labs and creator of the iPod (2017)
Co-founder of National Instruments, Dr. James Truchard (2018)
U.A. and Helen Whitaker University Professor, Dr. Takeo Kanade (2019)
Co-CEO of Synopsys, Dr. Chi-Foon Chan (2020)
Vice President of the Electronic Design Automation Group at IBM, Leon Stok (2021)
CEO of Adobe, Shantanu Narayen (2022)
Founder of Infosys, Narayana Murthy (2023)
Founder of the AIPLAB consortium, Dr. Yoshiaki Daimon Hagiwara (2024)
CEO and Chairman of the Board of Analog Devices Inc., Vincent Roche (2025)
IBX, Axiom Space, Intuitive Kam Ghaffarian, founder and co-founder of the companies "Machines," "X-energy," and "Quantum Space" (2026)
