Armenian-Founded Firebird & Kazakhstan Sign $10 Billion AI Deal, Backed by NVIDIA 🇦🇲 ➖➖➖ On June 15, Firebird Inc. signed a package of strategic cooperation agreements with the Government of Kazakhstan worth up to $10 billion, aimed at developing national next-generation artificial intelligence infrastructure, advanced computing capacity, and a globally competitive digital AI ecosystem. The figure was confirmed by the official information source of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The discussions and signing were held in Astana with the participation of Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, NVIDIA Vice President of Omniverse and Simulation Technology Rev Lebaredian, and Firebird Co-Founders Razmig Hovaghimian and Alexander Yesayan. Also present were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev, Kazakhtelecom Management Board Chairman Bagdat Mussin, and U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Julie Stuff. The centerpiece of the package is Data Center Valley, a large-scale computing project planned for Ekibastuz in Kazakhstan's northeastern Pavlodar region. The government has allocated roughly 1,400 hectares for the development, with planned power capacity that could eventually reach one gigawatt. The first phase is set at about $5 billion, including $1 billion from state-owned operator Kazakhtelecom, and aims to bring a 125-megawatt site online commercially in 2027. A second phase could add another $5 billion on a timeline to be decided later. The planned cluster is designed around as many as 100,000 next-generation NVIDIA GPUs, including GB300 and Vera Rubin chips, positioning it as one of the largest AI computing facilities in the region. Under the partnership, Firebird's Kazakh subsidiary will secure and finance the AI computing infrastructure, while Kazakhtelecom provides the power, cooling, and telecommunications connectivity. The agreements also establish Firebird Labs Kazakhstan, built on the foundation of the country's Alem.ai initiative. The cooperation establishes a foundation for collaboration in AI infrastructure, advanced computing systems, cloud technologies, research initiatives, and digital economy development. It supports Kazakhstan's ambition to strengthen its position as a leading technology and innovation hub in Central Eurasia. The agreements follow a high-level meeting earlier this year between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, NVIDIA Vice President of Global AI Infrastructure Growth Nico Caprez, and Firebird Co-Founders, where the parties discussed opportunities for collaboration in the design, construction, and operation of large-scale next-generation computing platforms. "Countries that invest today in advanced AI computing capacity, talent development, and innovation ecosystems will shape the economic opportunities of tomorrow. Firebird combines proven deployment experience with cutting edge U.S. technology stack, deep partnerships across the global AI ecosystem, and the ability to execute large-scale AI infrastructure projects securely, with exceptional speed. We are proud to support Kazakhstan's vision and look forward to helping build long-term national AI capacity," said Razmig Hovaghimian. "Artificial intelligence is becoming the new foundational infrastructure of the global economy. To develop our own AI solutions, individual digital products are not enough: a holistic ecosystem is needed, encompassing energy, modern data centers, computing power, data, and access to advanced technologies. Kazakhstan is consistently building such a foundation. Our goal is to transform the country's infrastructural advantages into a long-term driver of economic growth and strengthen Kazakhstan's position as one of the key digital hubs in Eurasia," noted Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Madiyev added that the project is expected to generate at least $3 billion in annual export revenue, create new jobs, and accelerate the country's transformation into a major digital hub in Eurasia. Firebird is currently completing the first phase of its flagship AI Factory in Armenia, scheduled to become operational in July 2026. Developed from initial construction to deployment readiness in just over six months, the project represents one of the fastest AI infrastructure rollouts of its kind globally. Armenia remains Firebird's flagship and largest platform, designed to scale beyond 100,000 NVIDIA Blackwell and Vera Rubin GPUs across the company's approved three-phase expansion strategy by the end of 2027. Firebird's ambitions extend well beyond any single market. The company's vision has always been "from Armenia to the world," Co-Founder Razmig Hovaghimian told Zartonk, with a goal of reaching one gigawatt of computing capacity globally by the end of 2027 and two gigawatts by 2028 across seven markets. Kazakhstan represents one of the most significant steps yet toward that target. Firebird's experience demonstrates that large-scale AI infrastructure projects can be successfully delivered through collaboration between governments, technology companies, financial institutions, and research communities. The company's growing footprint across Armenia and now Kazakhstan places two Armenian co-founders at the center of national AI capacity-building in two countries at once. Firebird's goal is to create national AI capacity that allows countries to participate in the AI economy at global scale. About Firebird Firebird is a U.S.-based AI cloud and infrastructure company designed to provide secure, scalable, and globally accessible GPU infrastructure. Its mission is to democratize access to advanced AI computing, enabling innovation across research and enterprise in both the private and public sectors.

BREAKING: $500 Million AI Factory To Launch In Armenia By 2026, Powered By NVIDIA, Making it A Regional AI Powerhouse 🇦🇲 ➖➖➖ Armenia is set to become a regional powerhouse in artificial intelligence. Firebird, a San Francisco– and Yerevan-based AI cloud startup, has officially announced a $500 million public-private partnership with the Government of Armenia and NVIDIA to build the first AI supercomputing data center in the Caucasus region. Within the framework of the project: • a $500 million investment will be made, • thousands of NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs will be deployed, • an infrastructure with more than 100 megawatts of power will be established, • the launch is planned for 2026 Unveiled at NVIDIA’s GTC Paris at VivaTech on June 11, the project will launch in 2026, deploying thousands of NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs with an infrastructure capable of scaling to over 100 megawatts of power. This next-generation “AI factory” will be Armenia’s largest tech infrastructure investment to date. Firebird, which emerged from stealth mode at the event, announced an ambitious vision to put Armenia on the AI map by building high-performance, sustainable infrastructure in emerging markets — starting with Armenia. Alongside the Armenian government and with support from NVIDIA, Firebird outlined its plan to build advanced AI infrastructure that accelerates technological innovation and establishes the Caucasus region as an AI hub. The project also received strong backing from NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang, who stated, “AI factories are the infrastructure of the 21st century. Our collaboration with Armenia will help build foundational AI capacity and unlock new opportunities for innovation and economic growth across the region.” Razmig Hovaghimian, co-founder and CEO of Firebird ai, added: “This is about building a launchpad for innovation — from Armenia to the world. We will invest in novel models, in robotics and the sciences in partnership with leading universities from around the world and build the capacity to incubate the next generation of innovators in Armenia. This public-private partnership will fuel the development and growth of AI technologies in the country. The initiative will help grow the local technology ecosystem by bringing together high-performing infrastructure, talent, and innovation. By working with industry and government, Firebird aims to support economic growth and help businesses, entrepreneurs, and academia stay ahead in the cutting edge of AI. The new AI factory marks a significant milestone in Armenia’s journey toward becoming a leader in next-generation technology, building on NVIDIA’s existing presence in the country. The collaboration is designed to fuel the development of Armenia’s local tech ecosystem by combining high-performance AI infrastructure with global talent, innovation, and public-private investment. Firebird plans to invest in building capacity not just for computing, but also for innovation in robotics, science, and AI entrepreneurship. The company’s broader mission includes partnering with world-class universities and building an environment that incubates the next generation of innovators and startups in Armenia. Government Support and Vision The announcement aligns with NVIDIA’s broader launch of DGX Cloud Lepton, a global AI compute marketplace connecting regional developers to high-performance GPU infrastructure. Firebird is one of several companies contributing NVIDIA Blackwell and other NVIDIA architecture GPUs to the marketplace, alongside major players like Mistral AI, Together AI, AWS, and Microsoft Azure — the first large-scale cloud providers to join the platform. The move gives Armenian researchers, startups, and engineers unprecedented access to global-scale compute for AI development. The project drew strong endorsements from Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who stated, “We welcome NVIDIA’s partnership and work with Firebird to build AI infrastructure in Armenia. This is a major step toward strengthening our tech sector and global partnerships. The government is happy to support this initiative and unlock new opportunities for our people and region.” Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan stated that, “Armenia is joining the global artificial intelligence movement not as a spectator, but as a creator of new opportunities. After months of preparatory work, Firebird company, the Government of Armenia, and NVIDIA are launching a joint project that will radically transform the technological landscape of the region.” He further emphasized the strategic significance of the initiative, saying, “The AI factory will become a platform for innovation, education, science, and entrepreneurship. It will foster the development of both local and international startups, ensure the integration of science and technology, and position Armenia as a regional tech hub—a true place for the creation of artificial intelligence.” Hayrapetyan concluded, “Through this initiative, Armenia is not just responding to global technological changes but becoming an active participant in them. A new platform is being formed where local potential will have the opportunity to create modern solutions aligned with global developments. This is a strategic investment in our country’s long-term technological advancement.” Kristina Kvien, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia added, “We are excited about the potential for U.S. technology exports and AI leadership to drive more innovation in Armenia’s dynamic tech sector, benefitting the United States and Armenia. U.S. companies like NVIDIA continue to offer world-leading computing and AI solutions, and we are proud that they are the partners of choice for Armenian counterparts.” Regional Technology Ecosystem Support Team Group, the parent company of Telecom Armenia and Ireland’s Imagine Broadband, will support the development of Armenia’s AI infrastructure, bringing deep technical expertise and connectivity infrastructure to accelerate deployment of the data center. The Afeyan Foundation for Armenia will join as founding investor in Firebird, and its principal, Noubar Afeyan, who is also CEO of Flagship Pioneering, will act as a strategic advisor and a founding partner of Firebird. Afeyan said, “Armenia’s next chapter in technology leadership will be built on global collaboration and long-term investment. The development of AI infrastructure for Armenia and the broader region is a bold step toward positioning the country as a meaningful contributor in the global AI landscape.” With development now underway, the AI factory in Armenia will serve as a hub for science, education, startups, and entrepreneurship, elevating the country’s tech ecosystem and strengthening its ties with global innovators. This marks a pivotal step in Armenia’s technology development, positioning the country as a regional leader in AI and cloud computing. The project brings together government leadership, global technology giants, and leading diaspora investors — laying the groundwork for long-term economic growth, innovation, and sovereignty in the tech sector. This initiative marks a defining moment for Armenia’s technology sector, bringing together entrepreneurial vision, world-class infrastructure, and global collaboration to unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth. Firebird and the Armenian government are laying a foundation for technology development in the region, enabling businesses and entrepreneurs to seize new opportunities brought on by AI and supporting economic growth in Armenia and across the Caucasus. At the same time, they are forging deeper ties with Europe’s leading tech sectors. About Firebird Firebird ai is a San Francisco and Yerevan based AI cloud company, launching the Caucasus’ first and largest AI supercomputer in 2026, powered by NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs. Future Firebird locations will deliver sustainable, high-performance AI infrastructure to fast-growing emerging markets worldwide, reinvesting a portion of its revenue to build local technology capacity.