Blog

Xsolla StarNest Academy and Incubator Program

2024-12-13 11:50
This week, the Megamod mission visited Azerbaijan to attend the GameSummit Winter Edition 2024, joining a transformative initiative poised to shape the future of the gaming industry in Central Asia.
In collaboration with Xsolla, the Azerbaijan Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA), and StarNest Gaming Hub, the event marked the unveiling of the Xsolla StarNest Academy and Incubator Program—a groundbreaking effort to empower local talent and position Azerbaijan as a rising hub for global gaming innovation.

About the StarNest Initiative

The StarNest program is set to launch in 2025 with a dual focus:
  • StarNest Academy: Aimed at training 90 young individuals in game development, offering hands-on experience and insights into industry-standard practices.
  • Xsolla Incubator and Accelerator: Designed to assist developers and studios in refining their projects, scaling their operations, and connecting with global gaming networks.
“This collaboration opens up extensive opportunities for implementing joint projects that will drive the development of Azerbaijan's gaming sector,” said Yevgeniya Bikmurzina, Head of IDDA’s Innovation Ecosystem Department.

Megamod’s Role and Future Opportunities

Megamod is proud to be confirmed as the main product for the StarNest Academy in Baku. Additionally, Megamod will serve as a partner for the Game Summit 2025, set to take place in Baku next June. As part of this collaboration, Megamod will create digital platforms tailored to the Summit’s needs. This is an exciting opportunity and challenge for our creators, who just last week released an impressive 552 new games!
During the visit, Megamod Co-founder and CEO Alex Kostarev met with GameSummit leaders and industry visionaries, including Rytis Joseph Jan, SVP of Global Strategic Partnerships at Xsolla. Together, they discussed how the StarNest initiative aligns with Megamod’s mission to foster innovation and empower creators.
Rytis shared his perspective on the program’s potential: “This partnership represents a significant milestone for Xsolla as we collaborate with Azerbaijani leaders to unlock the region’s potential. By combining our global expertise with the visionary leadership of our partners, we aim to empower the next generation of talent in Azerbaijan and drive meaningful innovation with global impact.”
We believe the coming year will be a turning point for Megamod, full of exciting opportunities and growth.
Image: Alex Kostarev, Megamod Co-founder, with Rytis Joseph Jan from Xsolla at GameSummit 2024