TUMO Raises More Than $17 Million at Los Angeles Gala to Expand Across Armenia

TUMO raised more than $17 million at a Los Angeles gala celebrating its 15th anniversary, securing new funding to expand the Armenian-founded education program across Armenia.

The September 20 event at Vibiana brought together leaders in technology, entertainment and sports, along with members of the Armenian-American community. System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian performed, while Nasdaq Listings host Kristina Ayanian emceed the evening.

Founded in Yerevan in 2011, TUMO provides free technology and design education to teenagers. What began as a single center in Armenia has grown into an international network serving more than 35,000 students in over 14 countries.

“Fifteen years ago, TUMO began with a simple belief: that when young people have the freedom to discover their talents, they have the power to shape not only their own futures, but the future of an entire nation,” founders Sam and Sylva Simonian said.

The gala honored ServiceTitan co-founders Vahe Kuzoyan and Ara Mahdessian, as well as Rev Lebaredian, NVIDIA’s vice president of physical AI simulation.

Lebaredian played a role in launching Firebird, Armenia’s first high-performance AI computing cluster, an initiative aimed at expanding the country’s artificial intelligence capabilities.

Armenian cultural heritage was also woven into the evening. A visual installation by People of Ar incorporated TUMO students’ sketches and work from the organization’s 3D scanning program, which has digitally documented Armenian monasteries and cultural sites in territories that came under Azerbaijani control following war.

The installation combined art and technology to show how students are using digital tools to document and preserve cultural heritage.

TUMO CEO Marie Lou Papazian said the program’s impact extends beyond preparing students for careers in technology and other competitive fields.

“The real magic happens when our students discover, often to their own surprise, the incredible capabilities they had within them all along,” Papazian said.

A live auction added to the night’s fundraising. Among the experiences offered were a private training session and lunch with UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, a tennis lesson with Andre Agassi and a chess lesson with grandmaster Levon Aronian.

The gala also featured a one-of-a-kind bottle of ARARAT brandy made from spirits dating to 1991, the year Armenia declared independence from the Soviet Union. Created to mark the 35th anniversary of Armenian independence, the bottle was donated through TUMO’s partnership with Yerevan Brandy Company, with proceeds supporting the organization’s expansion in Armenia.

Tankian later took the stage for a special performance featuring several fan favorites and selections from his more recent work.

Guests included Arman Tsarukyan, Mary Basmadjian, filmmaker Michael Goorjian, Sona Movsesian, Dave Farina, Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian and Katherine Sarafian.

TUMO expanded its international footprint last year with a center in North Hollywood. The Los Angeles location opened with about 600 students and plans to eventually serve 1,500, giving students access to programs connected to Southern California’s technology and entertainment industries.

The organization said the more than $17 million raised at the anniversary gala will support its continued growth across Armenia.

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