Topchubashov Center

What Topchubashov Center does

The Topchubashov Center is an independent, privately held think tank headquartered at Globus Center, Floor 7, 609 Jafar Jabballi Street in Baku, Azerbaijan, established in April 2018 by the team behind The Politicon online platform. It is affiliated with the Center for Regional Studies (Regional Tədqiqatlar Mərkəzi) in Baku. The Center produces policy research, in-depth analytical articles, comprehensive reports, and expert commentary on the geopolitics, security, energy, and regional cooperation dynamics of the South Caucasus, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, with particular attention to post-Soviet frozen conflicts, Caspian security, and Azerbaijan's foreign policy. Its product surface consists of content publications (Analytics, Reports, Expert Opinion, News and Events, Infographics, Media Highlights) and a fellowship program (Khoyski Fellowship); the Center explicitly does not develop or sell technology products.

The Center operates on a non-commercial revenue model funded through institutional partnerships, cooperation memoranda, and likely grant support from international organizations and diplomatic missions. Its go-to-market is event-driven: reach is built through expert publications, hosting and participation in international conferences, roundtables, and diplomatic visits, and fellowship programs. The Center engages three primary customer segments — governments and policymakers in Azerbaijan, Central Asia, and adjacent regions; international organizations and diplomatic missions (including NATO, EU, UN-affiliated bodies, and various embassies); and the academic/research community. Content is distributed free via the Center's own digital channels and through media partnerships and external publication placements in outlets including Baku Dialogues, Geopolitical Monitor, Uppsala Institute, CESPI, and Polish analytical platforms.

The Center maintains a portfolio of strategic institutional partnerships with think tanks and foundations across Europe and Asia, including IDM (Azerbaijan), ICDS (Estonia), the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (Japan), Dunay Institute (Hungary), GEOPOL21 (Spain), the International Peace Institute (Vienna), the Muslim Institute (Pakistan), the Rondine Association (Italy), and engagement with the European Union Delegation to Azerbaijan and NATO. Leadership comprises Co-founder and Director Rusif Huseynov and Co-founder and Deputy Director Murad Muradov, supported by research fellows, experts, researchers, and an intern with credentials from LSE, Glasgow, Tartu, Baku State University, and multiple competitive international fellowship programs. Revenue, funding, and headcount are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Topchubashov Center

Legal name

Topchubashov Center

Website

https://top-center.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Topchubashov Center is a Baku-based independent policy research think tank established in 2018, producing analytical articles, reports, and expert commentary on geopolitics and security across the South Caucasus, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East for governments, international organizations, and academic audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Geopolitical Analysis

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)

Keywords

• Policy research think tank
• Geopolitical analysis services
• Regional security research
• Foreign policy advisory
• International affairs consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Baku

HQ country

Azerbaijan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Institutional partnerships and grants: The Center operates through institutional partnerships, cooperation memoranda, and likely grant funding from international organizations and diplomatic missions. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Topchubashov Center is a Baku-based think tank that produces policy research, geopolitical analysis, expert commentary, and reports covering the South Caucasus, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Middle East. It distributes this research through its own digital channels and via institutional partnerships with governments, international organizations, and diplomatic missions, and runs fellowship programs (such as the Khoyski Fellowship) to develop next-generation policy experts.

Product overview

The Topchubashov Center is a Baku-based think tank established in April 2018, offering a unified platform for research and analysis on geopolitics, security, and regional cooperation in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. The organization produces content across multiple channels including Analytics, Reports, Expert Opinion, News and Events, Infographics, and Media Highlights. The center features named programs such as the Khoyski Fellowship and publishes research by affiliated experts on topics including Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan partnerships, Caspian security, energy policy, and regional cooperation frameworks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Analytics In-depth analytical articles and commentary on regional geopolitics, security developments, and international relations focusing on the South Caucasus and Central Asia, produced for governments, international organizations, and the policy community.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• IDM (Institute for Development and Freedom of Information)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2026The Topchubashov Center and IDM held a joint panel discussion and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The organizations also planned and held a roundtable discussion together, indicating a deep, ongoing strategic partnership.
• ICDS (International Centre for Defence and Security)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2026An ICDS representative visited the Topchubashov Center, indicating ongoing institutional engagement and cooperation between the two think tanks.
• The Sasakawa Peace FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2026Representatives of The Sasakawa Peace Foundation visited the Topchubashov Center, reflecting ongoing cooperation between the two organizations.
• NATOmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2026Rusif Huseynov met with a NATO delegation, demonstrating engagement with the Alliance and international security discussions.
• Muslim InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2026Muslim Institute representatives visited the Topchubashov Center, indicating growing regional engagement.
• Khoyski FellowshipcoreOthers · 19 June 2026The Topchubashov Center launched the Khoyski Fellowship, a fellowship program aimed at developing the next generation of policy experts and analysts in the region.
• Rondine AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2026The Topchubashov Center received a delegation from the Rondine Association, indicating ongoing engagement with this Italian organization.
• Embassy of Egypt (Arab Republic of Egypt) in AzerbaijanminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2026Egyptian Ambassador Houssam Eldine Reda visited the Topchubashov Center. The parties exchanged views on regional developments and discussed priorities in the foreign policy of Azerbaijan and Egypt.
• European Union Delegation to AzerbaijanmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026Representatives of the Topchubashov Center met with EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Marijana Kuyundjic and Political Advisor Soren Hansen. The parties exchanged views on regional processes and discussed potential directions for cooperation.
• Colombian Embassy in BakuminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2025Representatives of the Topchubashov Center visited the Colombian Embassy in Baku. Discussions covered cooperation opportunities in humanitarian and social areas.
• Dunay InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 April 2025The Topchubashov Center and Dunay Institute held a joint roundtable and signed a cooperation memorandum. The two organizations co-hosted a conference in Hungary in December 2025 and have conducted multiple exchanges and joint events.
• International Peace Institute (IPI)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2023Rusif Huseynov met with a delegation of the International Peace Institute (Vienna) during their visit to Baku. The parties discussed regional processes and cooperation opportunities.
• GEOPOL21coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2023The Topchubashov Center and GEOPOL21 produced and presented joint reports, including events held in both Baku and Madrid.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• International Crisis Group: Global conflict-prevention think tank producing in-depth field analysis on frozen conflicts and geopolitics including in the South Caucasus and Central Asia — overlapping content categories and similar policy-research delivery model.
• Chatham House: Long-established international affairs think tank covering Eurasia, energy security, and regional geopolitics; comparable in publishing peer-reviewed analysis, hosting roundtables, and engaging governments and diplomatic missions globally.
• Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI): US-based foreign policy think tank producing reports and convening events on Eurasia, energy security, and great-power competition; comparable in publishing peer-reviewed analysis and engaging policy and diplomatic communities.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Major international affairs think tank with dedicated Russia/Eurasia and Middle East programs producing reports and expert commentary; directly comparable in content type, fellowship ecosystem, and policymaker audience.

Others

• Rondine Association: Italian peacebuilding organization that is an active partner of the Topchubashov Center; comparable as a dialogue-facilitation and conflict-transformation stakeholder in the South Caucasus ecosystem rather than a direct research competitor.

Direct peers

• Institute for Development and Freedom of Information (IDM): Moldova-based think tank with shared MoU partner status; both organizations co-host joint panels and roundtable discussions on regional security and democracy, making it a closely matched operating peer.
• Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program: Joint program producing analysis on Central Asia and the Caucasus covering security, energy, and connectivity; overlapping geographic focus and similar policy-research-to-policymaker delivery model.
• Regional Studies Center (Armenia): Yerevan-based think tank producing policy analysis on South Caucasus security, conflict, and regional cooperation; comparable in scope, format, and target audiences though operating from the counterpart side of Armenia-Azerbaijan dynamics.
• International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS): Tallinn-based think tank on security and foreign policy with active engagement in the South Caucasus and Central Asia; an actual partner of the Topchubashov Center with comparable report/event output targeting NATO and EU audiences.

Regional players

• Center for Analysis and Communication of Economic Reforms (CACER): Azerbaijan-based analytical center with government affiliation focused on economic reforms and policy; comparable as an in-region policy research organization operating from Baku, though with a more economic and state-aligned mandate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Topcenterorg
• Facebookfacebook.com/topchubashovcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-politicon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Topchubashov Center