Guys from Uzbekistan got Meta’s (Facebook) and other companies’ investment for a startup

Beknazar Abdikamalov and Aziz Murtazayev from Karakalpakstan together with their partner from South Korea Justin Kim got $3 million investment from Meta (Facebook) and other companies to implement Ami, the startup on mental health.

The project includes online consultation sessions that will help make mental health care more accessible. This will allow company owners in Asian countries to implement this software to improve the mental health of their employees.

Startup founders say that they came up with idea after the pandemic, as the World Health Organization report of March 2022 stated that depression and anxiety among working people had increased by 25% worldwide since the pandemic.

«We are impressed by the passion and talent of the Ami team and are looking forward to supporting them in giving the people in Asia more possibilities to maintain their mental health, » says Sunita Parasuraman, head of investments department at Meta.

The founders stressed that in addition to Singapore and Jakarta, Asia’s two most dynamic startup hubs, Ami plans to expand across Asia, offering companies the opportunity to attract and retain the best professionals with a specific platform to support mental health. They consider the project as their mission to raise people’s awareness about importance of mental health.

Investors from Goodwater Capital (Kakao, Coupang and Viva Republica), Strong Ventures, January Capital and Collaborative Fund joined Meta in its financing stage.

Beknazar Abdikamalov and Aziz Murtazayev have also hosted workshops for youth at IT Park.

How the platform works

During the registration, users should fill out a form highlighting their main concerns. Depending on their responses, they are connected to the relevant physician who will provide the necessary psychological support.