Hrach Kaprielian
Hrach Kaprielian | |
|---|---|
Հրաչ Կապրիէլեան | |
| Born | August 31, 1953 |
| Occupation(s) | Chairman of the Board of Artsakhbank and President of FC Ararat Yerevan |
Hrach Kaprielian (Armenian Հրաչ Կապրիէլեան, born 31 August 1953) is a Swiss-based Armenian businessman and philanthropist,[1] known for serving as the chairman of the board of Artsakhbank, and the co-owner and former president of FC Ararat Yerevan, a football club based in Yerevan, Armenia.[2][3][4]
He is also known for his philanthropic work in Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh, where he has funded humanitarian projects, agricultural ventures, and supported dozens of children as a godfather.[1]
Early life
Hrach Kaprielyan was born in 1953, in Constantinople (now Istanbul), Turkey, to a family with deep Armenian roots. His family history traces back to the medieval Armenian capital of Ani and later to the Crimean Peninsula before returning to Anatolia. His ancestors lived in Kalecik, Ankara, until the events of the Armenian Genocide, which had a profound and lasting impact on the family.[1]
Kaprielyan’s maternal grandfather, Jirair, was a respected jeweler in Varna, Bulgaria, known for his skill and integrity. His father, Geghmes Kaprielyan, was also a jeweler. From a young age, Kaprielyan was immersed in the world of precious metals and stones, beginning to trade talismans as early as age 13.[1]
At the age of 18, Kaprielyan emigrated to the United States, settling in New Jersey with his grandparents.[1]
Career
Jewelry and watch businesses
In 1976, at age of 23, he had started his own jewelry business, moving from craftsmanship to design and entrepreneurship.[1][5][6] In 1979, Kaprielian founded Kaprielian Enterprises, a jewellery manufacturing and design company.[7][1]
Eventually, he took on an executive role in the luxury watch industry and became the General Director of Franck Muller USA, the American arm of the prestigious Swiss watchmaker.[1]
By the time he turned 30, Kaprielyan had earned his first million dollars through his ventures in the luxury goods sector.[1]
In 2001, he launched AWI (Armenian Watch International), an Armenian watch brand.[8][9]
He has also helped setup watch manufacturing in Yerevan, Armenia for Franck Muller.[8][9]
Return to Armenia and philanthropy
Following the 1988 Spitak earthquake, Kaprielyan returned to Armenia to provide aid. This marked the beginning of his long-term commitment to supporting the country’s recovery and development.[1][5] Over the years, he has been involved in funding a range of projects, including construction firms, agricultural ventures, and financial institutions, notably Artsakhbank CJSC, an Armenian-based bank headquartered in Yerevan, Armenia.[1][10][11]
Kaprielyan is also known as a former president of the FC Ararat Yerevan in Yerevan.[12][13][14] His philanthropy includes personal sponsorship of more than 50 children and significant contributions to infrastructure and farming in both Armenia and Artsakh.[1]
Personal life
Kaprielyan resides in Switzerland.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Արևմտյան Հայաստանի պանծալի զավակները․Հրաչ Կապրիելյան - Western Armenia TV" [The glorious children of Western Armenia: Hrach Kaprielyan] (in Armenian). 2021-11-13. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ^ "Management". www.fcararat.am. Archived from the original on 2016-03-08.
- ^ "Արագած Ախոյանն ու Հրաչ Կապրիելյանը հաշտվե՞լ են" [Have Aragats Akhoyan and Hrach Kaprielyan reconciled?]. news.am (in Armenian). 2025-05-25. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ^ "Ամերիկահայ գործարար Հրաչ Կապրիելյանը փորձել է վերացնե՞լ իր նախկին գործընկեր ԱԺ պատգամավոր Արագած Ախոյանին" [Has Armenian-American Businessman Hrach Kaprielyan Tried to Eliminate His Former Partner, MP Aragats Akhoyan?]. www.aravot.am. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ^ a b "Hratch Kaprielian". auroraprize.com. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ^ "Glorious children of Western Armenia:Hrach Kaprielyan. 12-11-2021 - Western Armenia TV". 2021-11-13. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ^ "Kaprielian Jewelry". Kaprielian Jewelry.
- ^ a b "Հրաչ Ներսես Կապրիելյանը պատասխանում է". Hetq.am (in Armenian). 2011-03-21. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ^ a b "Շվեյցարական ժամացույցների հայ մրցակիցները կամ ով և ինչու ստեղծեց հայկական AWI ժամացույցները" [The Armenian Competitors of Swiss Watches, or Who Created the Armenian AWI Watches and Why]. ankakh.com. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ^ "Hratch Kaprielian". auroraprize.com.
- ^ "Հրաչ Կապրիելյանն ընդդեմ ԲՀԿ-ականների" [HRACH KAPRIELYAN VS. PROSPEROUS ARMENIA PARTY MEMBERS]. ՀՐԱՊԱՐԱԿ (in Armenian). 2013-08-23. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ^ "Congratulations to Hratch Kaprielian". www.fcararat.am.
- ^ "Այսօր' թարմ լուրեր Հայաստանից" [Hrach Kaprielyan: "It's only war, you can't work like a human being"]. www.aysor.am. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ^ "Հրաչ Կապրիելյան. Քանի դեռ չի փոխվել ՀՖՖ-ի ղեկավարությունը, Հայաստանում ֆուտբոլ չի լինի" [Hrach Kaprielyan: Until the leadership of the Armenian Football Federation is changed, there will be no football in Armenia]. PanARMENIAN.Net. Retrieved 2025-05-25.