Dr. Igor Ashurbeyli

Scientist, visionary, entrepreneur, and philanthropist

Born on September 9, 1963, to a family of engineers in Baku, Azerbaijan, USSR.

1980. Graduated from high school with a gold medal.

1985. Graduated from Azerbaijan University, Faculty of Automated Control Systems, with a major in Systems Engineering.

1988. Founded and became the head of his first private company, Socium, in Baku, engaged in software development, computer literacy training, consulting, and stock exchange activities.

1990. Moved to Moscow, where Socium significantly expanded its business in the field of database development, production, and implementation.

1991. Together with the Almaz Research and Production Association (NPO Almaz) — a world-famous Soviet air, missile, and aerospace defense holding company — and a number of other large state and private entities, co-founded and became the head of the International Information and Telecommunications Bureau OJSC engaged in the development, production, and implementation of a wide range of information and telecommunications products.

1994. Invited to take up a permanent position at NPO Almaz as its Deputy CEO for Foreign Economic Activity.

2000-2011. CEO of NPO Almaz.

Under his supervision, Russia's S-400 Triumph missile defense system was developed, and the technical design for the S-500 aerospace defense system, among others, was approved.

Doctor of Engineering. Author of over 100 research papers, one encyclopedia, and five monographs.

Awarded:

The Order of Honor and four state medals of Russia;
The Russian Government Award in Science and Technology;
The UNESCO Medal for his contribution to the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology;
Five Orders of the Russian Orthodox Church;
Numerous public and departmental awards.

Current owner of the diversified international holding company Socium-A, which comprises over 30 enterprises in 10 countries around the world: Russia, France, Monaco, Austria, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Azerbaijan, UAE, and Mauritius.

Head of the first digital space nation in human history, Asgardia, founded by him in 2016.