WomenInTech. How girls from Baku are developing startups and digital transformation of the country

Two stories from Baku about how young women build careers in IT, create startups, and inspire a new generation of specialists.


Khayala Miriyeva, City — Baku, CEO & Co-founder of Climasel Ltd., LinkedIn

About Me

I am the CEO and co-founder of Climasel Ltd., a British startup that develops innovative solutions for passive building cooling, helping to improve their energy efficiency. Our mission is to make spaces more comfortable while simultaneously reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions through eco-friendly materials. Alongside developing the company, I am in my final year studying Chemical Engineering at the Azerbaijan School of Oil and Industry. It was my education that provided me with a solid foundation in materials science and energy systems, which I now apply when creating climate solutions with practical value.

During my studies, I participated in research and innovation projects focused on sustainable development. However, the key milestone in my professional journey was the creation of Climasel. What started as a university idea to reduce building energy consumption eventually evolved into a climate startup with international ambitions.

An important milestone in the company's development was participation in international startup programs and innovation competitions. Climasel was selected as a participant in initiatives such as the MIT Climate & Energy Prize 2026 and the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2025, and also received recognition at the CAREC Gender and Green Innovation Awards 2025.

All these stages shaped me not only as an engineer but also as an entrepreneur.

How I Entered the IT Profession

My path into the technology industry began during my studies, when I became interested in the potential of eco-friendly materials in solving climate problems. It was then that I met my co-founder, Fatima Nasirova, and together we began exploring how innovative materials could improve building energy efficiency.

Initially, Climasel was a research project. We spent countless hours in the laboratories of the Azerbaijan School of Oil and Industry conducting research and experiments: studying phase-change materials, testing various formulations, and developing a practical solution for passive building cooling.

As the project developed, we realized that our development could not only be of scientific interest but also solve a real market problem. This realization inspired us to turn the research project into a startup.

Since then, my perspective on technology has significantly expanded. In addition to engineering, I have become passionate about innovation, entrepreneurship, and product creation. Today, I view technology not only as a way to advance science but also as an opportunity to turn research into solutions that bring real benefits to people and the environment.

On Stereotypes

One of the main difficulties my co-founder and I faced was our age. We started developing Climasel while we were still students, so sometimes people underestimated our experience or doubted our ability to create and scale a DeepTech startup.

We overcame this through thorough preparation, continuous learning, and the development of deep expertise in our field. Over time, our research, achieved results, as well as participation in international programs and collaboration with partners, helped us gain trust and confirm our competence.

I believe that youth brings not only challenges but also advantages. It brings curiosity, flexible thinking, and a desire to find new approaches to solving complex problems. Instead of perceiving age as a limitation, we learned to turn it into an advantage, continuing to grow as entrepreneurs and engineers.

This experience also convinced me of how important it is to create more opportunities for young women in technology, so that talent, ideas, and potential are valued regardless of age or life experience.

Barriers for Women in IT

One of the main difficulties women face when building careers in technology is underrepresentation, especially in technical and leadership roles. When there is a lack of women in such roles, it is harder for young female specialists to envision themselves as engineers, startup founders, or leaders of technology companies.

I have dealt with these challenges by continuously developing technical skills, using every opportunity for learning, and building a strong professional network around me.

Working on Climasel, I had the opportunity to participate in international programs and meet inspiring women who work in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Communicating with those who build successful companies and develop cutting-edge solutions became a powerful source of motivation for me. It showed me how important role models and a supportive professional community are.

This experience inspired me to continue developing as an engineer and entrepreneur. It also strengthened my confidence that diverse perspectives help find stronger ideas, build more effective teams, and develop solutions that have a real impact.

Recommendations for Those Just Starting Their Journey

Stay curious, keep learning, and do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. The IT industry is constantly changing, so the willingness to learn and adapt is one of the most valuable skills you can develop.

I also want to encourage young women to believe in their ideas and actively seek opportunities for professional growth—through mentoring, networking, internships, or participation in innovation programs. Sometimes it may seem that you are not yet ready for the next step, but it is exactly these steps that help build confidence and experience.

On my path, I realized that technical knowledge alone is not enough for success. It is equally important to develop communication skills, learn to work in a team, and remain open to new opportunities and experiences.

And most importantly—remember that your perspective has value. The technology industry needs diverse opinions and varied experiences to create high-quality and useful solutions.


Fidan Aydin, City — Baku, Digitalization Manager, LinkedIn

About Me
I have been working in the field of information technology for over 12 years, and today I hold the position of Digitalization Manager in the oil and gas industry.

My work lies at the intersection of IT, operations, and business. I am involved in digital transformation, the implementation of modern technologies, process automation, and projects that help make enterprise operations more efficient, secure, and transparent.

One of the most valuable aspects of my work is the opportunity to see how ideas turn into real changes. For me, a great motivation is participating in projects that do not remain on paper but actually help modernize processes and create long-term value for the company.

I am proud to be part of these changes and to contribute to the development of digital transformation in a traditional industry. For me, this is not just a profession, but an opportunity to learn, grow, and create something useful every day.

My career began in technical areas of IT. Throughout my professional journey, I have worked in various roles related to information technology, information security, and the management of digital initiatives.

Each stage provided new experience: first, I gained a deeper understanding of the technologies themselves, then I learned to build interaction between technical teams and business, and later moved into managing digital transformation projects.

Today, I am particularly interested in creating solutions that help companies modernize processes and increase production efficiency. It is precisely the ability to see the real results of my work that makes this profession especially valuable to me.

How I Entered the IT Profession

I entered IT thanks to a genuine interest in technology. I have always been interested in how modern solutions work and how they help people and businesses.

Even since childhood, my older brother instilled in me an interest in technology, telling me about it and inspiring me to study this field. Perhaps that is when the curiosity that eventually turned into a profession first appeared.

Today, I can confidently say that I love what I do. I am inspired by the opportunity to constantly learn, work with new technologies, and participate in projects that bring real benefits. That is why IT for me is not just a job, but a field where I feel at home.

On Stereotypes

Sometimes I have had to deal with the opinion that industry or IT is predominantly a male sphere. But my experience has shown that professionalism always speaks louder than any stereotypes.

When you understand your work well, know how to take responsibility, and bring projects to completion, the attitude of those around you changes quickly.

Today, I see more and more women successfully working in technology, leading projects, and holding leadership positions. This is a positive trend.

Barriers for Women in IT

In my opinion, the biggest obstacle is often not related to external circumstances, but to internal doubts.

Many talented girls underestimate themselves and put off new opportunities, waiting for the moment when they feel completely ready. But in technology, it is impossible to know absolutely everything.

I believe that professional growth begins exactly when you agree to step out of your comfort zone, take on complex tasks, and continue learning while working.

Recommendations for Those Just Starting Their Journey

Be curious and do not be afraid to ask questions.

Technologies change so rapidly that the ability to constantly learn becomes more important than the volume of knowledge you have today.

Study English, develop not only technical skills but also the ability to communicate with people, understand business, and see the big picture.

And most importantly—do not compare your path with others. Every specialist has their own growth rate. If you love your work and are ready to constantly develop, opportunities will definitely appear. I sincerely believe that nothing is impossible for a person who is ready to learn, work on themselves, and is not afraid to take the first step.