DATES
2019 – 2022
Clients
Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST)
Service
Strategic Communications, Full PR Support
Category
Science and Technology
From 2019 to 2022, SPRING PR was the strategic PR partner of the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST), co-founded by American-Canadian entrepreneur, inventor, and philanthropist Noubar Afeyan. FAST is a comprehensive platform dedicated to fostering technological and scientific breakthroughs in Armenia. The foundation aims to create a favorable environment for innovation, advance science and technology education, and actively develop a venture capital ecosystem to drive Armenia’s transformation into a global innovation hub.
SPRING PR’s collaboration with FAST centered on raising awareness of the foundation’s pioneering programs, driving engagement among diverse stakeholders, building trust, and strengthening partnerships with Armenian and international donors. The agency’s efforts were focused on generating support for FAST’s mission, amplifying its initiatives, and fostering a culture of science popularization in Armenia. Through a combination of strategic communication, media relations, and creative storytelling, SPRING PR played a key role in positioning FAST as a leader in science and technology.
In addition to developing and implementing a comprehensive communication strategy, SPRING PR led impactful strategic communications for FAST’s flagship events, including the large-scale initiatives, such as Global Innovation Forum (GIF) in 2019 and 2022, and the Advance Armenia Gala 2022.
Global Innovation Forum (GIF)
The Global Innovation Forum (GIF) was one of the key platforms where SPRING PR’s strategic communication approach played a crucial role. GIF19, themed “Transforming Intelligence,” explored the influence of artificial intelligence on science, technology, and industry. The agency developed a research-driven PR strategy that identified target audiences, refined key messaging, and structured a media campaign to maximize outreach. A core component of the campaign was a press tour that included journalist training sessions to enhance their understanding of AI-related topics, ensuring well-informed coverage across multiple media channels, including TV, radio, online platforms, and international press.
Building on this success, GIF22, titled “Life-Altering Technologies,” attracted global industry leaders, including Moderna co-founder Noubar Afeyan, and other high-profile figures from the global innovation landscape. SPRING PR’s PR strategy for GIF22 included pre-event communications, media outreach, influencer engagement, and an international press tour with top-tier journalists generating over 230 publications and reinforcing FAST’s position as a key player in global innovation. Throughout the event, SPRING PR facilitated interviews with over 20 key speakers, organized media briefings, and secured coverage from both local and international outlets, ensuring widespread visibility.
ADVANCE Research Grant Program & Advance Armenia Gala
FAST’s Advance Research Grant Program, launched in 2020, was designed to foster STEM research in Armenia by supporting collaborative projects in biotechnology, machine learning, and computational agriculture. To ensure the program’s visibility and impact, SPRING PR developed and implemented a strategic communications plan, highlighting its significance and fostering engagement among scientists, investors, and key stakeholders.
To further scale the program, FAST organized the Advance Armenia Gala in 2022, a global fundraising event aimed at securing financial support for research grants. SPRING PR executed a full-scale PR campaign for the Gala, including media relations, influencer engagement, and social media outreach. The agency facilitated press coverage in international and Armenian media, coordinated interviews, and created engaging promotional content to raise awareness. Additionally, SPRING PR managed donor and sponsor communications, ensuring their contributions were recognized and amplified. Through these efforts, the campaign successfully positioned the Gala as a milestone event, surpassing its fundraising goals and reinforcing FAST’s mission.
Generation AI (Gen AI)
SPRING PR played a key role in enhancing the visibility of Generation AI (Gen AI), a FAST initiative dedicated to advancing AI education and research in Armenia. To effectively communicate the program’s vision and objectives, SPRING PR developed a creative concept that shaped its messaging and outreach. In addition, full PR support was provided, including securing media coverage for key milestones such as the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU). A comprehensive social media and digital engagement strategy was implemented to ensure that Gen AI reached AI professionals, researchers, and students, reinforcing FAST’s mission to position Armenia as a leading hub for AI innovation.
Science and Technology Angels Network (STAN)
SPRING PR also played a crucial role in supporting FAST’s Science and Technology Angels Network (STAN), an initiative uniting Armenian professionals worldwide to invest in early-stage startups. In 2023, SPRING PR provided PR support for the STAN gathering in Los Angeles, which convened Armenian angel investors to explore opportunities in Armenia’s startup ecosystem. The agency conducted interviews with STAN founders and key investors, later featured in a commemorative film marking STAN’s 5th anniversary and highlighting the network’s ongoing contribution to Armenia’s innovation landscape.
In addition to strategic communications, SPRING PR actively contributed to the production and design of various materials to enhance FAST’s outreach. This included crafting messaging and overseeing all stages—from creative concept development to pre-production, shooting, and post-production—of multiple video projects.
SPRING PR’s collaboration with FAST from 2019 to 2022 focused on elevating the foundation’s visibility and impact across key programs and events. Through strategic communications, media engagement, and creative storytelling, SPRING PR helped position FAST as a leading force in Armenia’s science and technology landscape.
