TUMO raised over $17 million at its first-ever gala on Sunday, September 20, at Vibiana in Los Angeles, marking 15 years of its free education program and funding its continued expansion across Armenia. The evening honored ServiceTitan co-founders Vahe Kuzoyan and Ara Mahdessian and NVIDIA’s Rev Lebaredian, and featured a performance by System of a Down’s Serj Tankian.
The night was emceed by Kristina Ayanian, host of Nasdaq listings, and brought together supporters, partners, and friends of the organization for the first time since its founding.
Three Leaders Shaping Armenian Excellence in Technology
The gala honored three men whose work has carried Armenian talent onto the global stage. Vahe Kuzoyan and Ara Mahdessian are the co-founders of ServiceTitan, the software company they built into one of the most valuable in its field, where Kuzoyan serves as President and Mahdessian as CEO. Rev Lebaredian is Vice President of Physical AI Simulation at NVIDIA, and played a key role in launching Firebird, Armenia’s first high-performance AI computing cluster, establishing the country as a new strategic hub for artificial intelligence computing.
A Performance by Serj Tankian
System of a Down’s Serj Tankian took the stage for a special performance, playing several fan favorites and offering guests an intimate look at his latest work. The guest list included UFC contender Arman Tsarukyan, comedian Mary Basmadjian, filmmaker Michael Goorjian, Sona Movsesian, Dave Farina, Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, and Katherine Sarafian, among others.
A Live Auction With Agassi, Aronian, and Tsarukyan
The live auction added to the total raised throughout the evening, with offerings that included a private training session and lunch with UFC top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, a private tennis lesson with Andre Agassi, and a private chess lesson from grandmaster Levon Aronian. The evening also featured the sale of a one-of-a-kind ARARAT brandy created from spirits dating to 1991, a tribute to the 35th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia. Donated through TUMO’s partnership with Yerevan Brandy Company, the bottle reflected a shared commitment to Armenian heritage, with proceeds supporting TUMO’s expansion across Armenia.
Student Creativity, Turned Into Light
Throughout the evening, guests were immersed in a visual light experience by People of Ar that brought the creativity of TUMO students to life. The installation drew on student sketches alongside work from TUMO’s 3D scanning program, through which students have digitally preserved Armenian monasteries and cultural landmarks in occupied Artsakh and other lost territories. The result connected art, technology, and cultural preservation, showing how TUMO students are using their skills to tie creativity to history and heritage.
Fifteen Years, and the Next Generation
“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,” said TUMO founders Sam and Sylva Simonian. “Since then, we’ve watched thousands of young people walk through TUMO’s doors and grow into confident young adults who know their ideas matter.”
TUMO CEO Marie Lou Papazian spoke to what the program has come to mean for its students. “People often assume that TUMO is a place where young people discover their passions, figure out what they want to do with their lives and build the skills they need to pursue competitive careers. And, of course, that’s all true,” she said. “But I’ve come to understand that the real magic happens when our students discover, often to their own surprise, the incredible capabilities they had within them all along.”
Founded in Armenia in 2011, TUMO is a free educational program that empowers teens through hands-on technology and design workshops, now serving more than 35,000 students across 14 countries. In fall 2025, it opened its first U.S. location in North Hollywood with approximately 600 students, with plans to grow to 1,500.
