WomenInTech. How women from Azerbaijan are breaking stereotypes and transforming the IT industry
In this Women in Tech series, founders and CEOs from Baku talk about leadership, education, and technology — and how women are driving change in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Aysel Gulmammadova, Baku city, Founder & Managing Director, Instagram
About me
I am the founder of Baku Design Academy, an innovative education center focused on IT, design, marketing, and digital skills.
Today, I work on building education programs, international partnerships, and creating opportunities for young people in Azerbaijan to access globally recognized skills and certifications.
My career started with a strong interest in education, technology, and systems that truly prepare people for real careers. Seven years ago, I founded Baku Design Academy, which has grown into one of the leading professional education centers in the country.
Key stages included building the academy from scratch, gaining national recognition, securing a state education license, and expanding internationally through global programs and partnerships.
How I got into the IT profession
I entered the IT field through education. While working with students and professionals, I saw how digital skills, design, data, and technology were shaping the future of work. This pushed me to focus BDA on IT-related fields and to bring international certification systems and global standards into local education.
On stereotypes
Like many women in leadership and tech-related fields, I faced stereotypes — especially doubts about leadership, technical decision-making, and scale.
Instead of trying to fight stereotypes directly, I focused on results, consistency, and long-term impact. Over time, real outcomes speak louder than assumptions.
Barriers for women in IT
One major challenge is being taken seriously in strategic and technical discussions, especially in male-dominated environments.
Another is balancing expectations — women are often expected to prove themselves more.
I overcame these challenges by investing in expertise, building strong teams, and creating measurable impact rather than seeking approval.
Recommendations for those just starting their journey
- Focus on skills, not titles.
- Be patient with growth, but disciplined with learning.
- Choose environments where you can learn fast, make mistakes, and improve — and do not be afraid to start small if the direction is right.
Konul Guliyeva, Baku city, co-founder & CEO, LinkedIn
About me
I am an entrepreneur, educator, and mentor working mainly in EdTech, personal development and digital transformation. I am the founder of Safavy LLC, an education marketplace platform, and I also lead social initiatives that support women and youth in gaining digital skills. At the same time, I am a mother of four, and balancing family and professional growth is a very important part of my identity.
My career started in the financial sector, where I learned discipline, analytical thinking, and responsibility. Later, I realized that my passion was working with people and helping them grow, so I transitioned into education, training, and entrepreneurship. Over time, I began building projects, leading training programs, mentoring professionals, and eventually launching my own startup. Each stage taught me resilience and adaptability.
How I got into the IT profession
I entered IT through education and innovation projects rather than a purely technical role. While working with training and development programs, I saw how digital skills were shaping the future of careers. This motivated me to join my friends, who are co-founders of our startup project and to create projects that help people gain IT and digital competencies, especially women.
Building Safavy also pushed me deeper into the tech ecosystem, working closely with developers, product teams, and digital platforms.
On stereotypes
Sometimes people assume that women, especially mothers, cannot fully focus on business or technology. I have also faced doubts about whether I could lead a startup or work in the tech space. Instead of seeing this as a limitation, I used it as motivation to prove through my work, results, and consistency that leadership and innovation are not defined by gender.
Barriers for women in IT
One of the biggest challenges is self-confidence and lack of access to opportunities or mentors.
Many women underestimate their abilities or feel the field is too technical or male-dominated. I overcame this by continuously learning, surrounding myself with supportive communities, and focusing on long-term goals rather than short-term doubts.
I also try to create opportunities for other women through mentorship and educational programs.
Recommendations for those just starting their journey
Be curious, stay consistent, and do not be afraid of starting small. Focus on learning practical skills and building real experience.
Also, do not wait until you feel fully ready — growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone.
And most importantly, build strong networks and learn from people who inspire you.