How a Connector Investor Builds an Ecosystem of Success: Avag Simonyan’s Startup Formula

Startups and venture investments primarily involve two strategies: some simply invest money, while others build entire ecosystems. Avag Simonyan belongs to the latter. His work is not just about finding promising projects but about creating connections between them, forming a living, ever-growing network of innovation. “Investing isn’t about money—it’s about the right associations,” says Avag. “You can pour a huge sum into a startup, but if you don’t connect it to the right people, markets, and knowledge, nothing will come of it.” Simonyan isn’t just an entrepreneur but an architect of connections, building bridges between ideas, people, projects, and markets—linking innovators, investors, technologies, and cultures. This approach has defined his role in developing startup ecosystems from Los Angeles to the UAE and Armenia.

The Foundation of His Investment Philosophy 

Avag’s journey began with Armenia’s first rental platform. Even then, he understood that business wasn’t just about the product but about interaction systems. “We weren’t just matching the parties involved in the transactions—we were creating a new culture of trust,” he recalls. This experience became the foundation for his later work, where the primary tool wasn’t money but relationships.

Today, as co-founder and managing partner of Triple S Venture Capital, he invests in early-stage startups with a twist. His fund, established in 2022, isn’t limited to one industry because, in his view, breakthrough ideas emerge at the intersection of disciplines. By linking capital and expertise, Avag invests first and foremost in networks of mutual growth: mentorship programs where experienced founders guide newcomers, connecting startups to markets in the U.S., the Middle East, and Asia through partnerships and fostering knowledge exchange within the portfolio. Investments in AI, biotech, health tech, and quantum tech aren’t isolated—they actively share insights.

Networking in Action 

However, even before that, the Seaside Startup Summit (SSS), established in 2016, had established an effective networking effort, a micro-accelerator platform attracting top angel investors. With over 25,000 entrepreneurs and investors worldwide, SSS isn’t just another conference—it’s a place where a chance meeting can turn into a multimillion-dollar deal. The unique event is similar to the Burning Man festival for startups and a tent camp for investors. Exactly so: at the summit, everyone lives in tents, and in the early years, they even cooked their food. This format perfectly embodied the idea of getting together for networking in a non-standard environment. Here, Armenian startups find investors in the UAE, American VCs discover tech hubs in India, and founders network not for business cards but for long-term collaborations. As General Coordinator of U.S. Projects for SSS, Avag expands networks and closes deals abroad. Events in the UAE, India, and Armenia have drawn more than 1,000 dynamic startups, making SSS a growth catalyst.

Unlocking Potential 

Every startup requires careful analysis—one that accounts for connections to the right people, resources, and strategies. His investment thesis includes founder evaluation, market research, and team dynamics.

A prime example is Denovo Sciences, which merged biotech with the Middle Eastern market. “Denovo is a deep-tech startup using AI to accelerate drug discovery even with limited data,” Avag explains. “We connected them with Alchemist Doha, a leading accelerator in the MENA region focused on nurturing high-impact tech ventures, leading to a $1M investment and stronger market positioning.”

Another case is Cloudchipr, a cloud infrastructure management platform. “By introducing them to enterprise customers with significant infrastructure challenges, we helped Cloudchipr quickly expand their customer base – our support, among other things, was one of the factors in achieving results, they increased ARR from $130K in Q2 2023 to $900K in Q4 2024,” the investor notes. Simonyan seeks projects that offer not just new technology but unique business models. For instance, he backed Sparxell, which develops fully biodegradable dyes for fashion and cosmetics. Other successes include Modicus Prime (AI-powered pharma quality control) and SimCare AI (virtual patients for medical training), securing multimillion-dollar investments and global partnerships.

Simonyan’s Methodology: How Champions Are Chosen 

His investment checklist blends analytics and human insight:

1. Founder Analysis 
   “We seek passionate, competent entrepreneurs who deeply understand the problem they’re solving. Clear motivation and long-term alignment are key.”
2. Market Fit & Scalability 
   “Startups must address real market needs with the potential to expand into large or emerging niches.”
3. Technological Edge 
   “Solutions should offer unique or advanced capabilities—especially in AI, cloud tech, or sustainability. Copycats rarely break through.”
4. Execution Capability 
   “Even the most innovative idea fails without a strong team. We assess their track record in development, marketing, and operations.”
5. Strategic Roadmap 
   “A clear monetization, partnership, and product development plan is essential. Financial projections must be realistic, not just pretty numbers.”
6. Team Dynamics 
   “Cohesion and adaptability are critical. Founders must be mentor-ready and quick to adapt to market shifts.”

Cultivating Angel Investment 

This same mission drives his leadership of STAN LA, the Los Angeles chapter of the Science & Technology Angels Network—launched with Triple S Ventures to support early-stage startups in Armenian diaspora hubs. STAN is a global business angel network whose mission is to support early stage technology startups from Armenia and other countries. STAN business angels provide financial capital, networking and entrepreneurial support to help startups expand. Currently, more than 70% of STAN Business Angels are based in California, 20% in Armenia, and 10% in Europe. Despite actively seeking and focusing on ecosystems in Armenia and Los Angeles, the network reaches across the global startup community. STAN LA isn’t just about pitch sessions and workshops; it’s about building a community where deals stem from trust..

“This project is special,” Avag explains. “It helps develop ecosystem growth through both investments and knowledge-sharing.”

The Path to Global Partnership 

These principles also guide the Startup Armenia Foundation, where Avag serves as Board Chair. “We have a huge diaspora,” he notes. “My job is linking Armenian founders to global opportunities.” Yet he doesn’t limit himself to business. Simonyan believes technology and culture must go hand in hand. Therefore, he oversees a high-tech museum dedicated to writer William Saroyan, blending literature with digital installations. This philosophy extends to his work with the “Renaissance” Foundation, preserving Armenian heritage by uniting historians, tech entrepreneurs, and patrons.

Bridging Worlds 

In essence, Simonyan has made cross-cultural connections, which is his greatest asset. Of course, challenges arise—niche links (like quantum tech and art markets) demand deep expertise, cultural barriers require navigation, and balancing global and local priorities is a constant tightrope walk.

“When you connect different worlds—say, convincing conservative investors of cutting-edge tech’s potential—you’ll face resistance,” Avag admits. But overcoming these hurdles is what ultimately forges success.

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