Hayk Ayrapetyan and David Mikaelyan lived in Moscow for thirty years and had plenty of opportunities to meet; however, it was in Armenia that they finally crossed paths. Both originally from Armenia, they returned after many years away, eager to make a difference.

Hayk, a social entrepreneur, dedicated nearly a decade to education, co-founding the online platform GeekBrains. David has a similar educational background. But it wasn’t until their return to Armenia that they teamed up to create something impactful for the homeland.

“I visited Armenia a few times over the years, but I never really lived here, and I can’t say I felt a strong connection to the country. In 2020, searching for new purpose, I sold my company. This coincided with the war in Armenia, and during this time, I sensed a shift.

I studied and got involved in various diaspora events in Moscow to figure out how to help. I met a lot of people who wanted to make a difference too, but they just didn’t know how. Then I came to Armenia to explore the scene and discovered a ton of exciting projects to jump into.

But I quickly noticed a significant issue: there was a serious lack of trust in the charity sector. A society lacking trust struggles to grow. I realized we needed to address this problem directly. Additionally, I saw that there was a large diaspora eager to support Armenia in various ways. When the war broke out, I wanted to help financially, but I struggled to find trustworthy funds or organizations to support," says Hayk.

 

This challenge inspired the creation of IMAST, a mobile app designed to unite verified charitable organizations and funds, effectively mobilizing the diaspora to support Armenia.

 

 

Once Hayk settled in Armenia to develop the platform, he looked for like-minded people. That is when he met David, who became an important member of the team, managing marketing.

 

“IMAST is like a marketplace for verified Armenian charities. Through our app, you can easily support a project you trust from anywhere in the world. You’ll also receive updates from beneficiaries, ensuring transparency. It’s the first charitable app in Armenia designed to unite important projects and attract long-term donors. The app is accessible globally, so you can make donations from just about anywhere,” David explains.

What sets IMAST apart is its user-friendly mobile interface. You can make donations in just a few clicks, making it easy for users to build the habit of giving. Each project featured in the app goes through a thorough legal and financial audit by third-party organizations, ensuring that donors only see projects that have successfully passed the audit.

Hayk, the founder and CEO of IMAST, adds, “Many people are doubtful about charity because it often feels like a black hole - you give, but you don’t see where it goes. Our app changes that. By keeping donors informed and engaged, we encourage regular giving and build a culture of micro-donations.”

David highlights that anyone can donate, no matter their financial situation. “You don’t need to be wealthy to make a difference. Even a $10 donation, given regularly, can have a big impact. This approach allows organizations to rely less on large grants and to take on more projects.”

Users of the IMAST app can also get updates on new projects and view those that have already been completed.

 

 

Since launching in December 2023, IMAST has already achieved some notable results.

 

“Things have really changed during this time. We're all about independence now - independence from grants and big donors. Our support comes from a diverse group of people. Plus, donors can pick projects that really resonate with them. We’ve got a variety of initiatives on our platform, like health, education, ecology, and social projects. We believe in this approach. What’s most important to us is demonstrating that regular donations can make a difference. Our goal is to make giving a regular habit,” David shares.

 

 

Reflecting on his role, David says, “In Armenia, every person matters. Every life is valuable, and each individual has the power to create change. It’s vital to bring back the experiences we gained abroad and apply them here.”
Hayk concludes, “In a small country, every effort counts. Even if a project doesn’t succeed, the journey itself can inspire others and that’s a success in its own right. We tend to underestimate our impact on our country.”
After all, even a small donation can lead to significant change.