IT Park Uzbekistan Enhances Collaboration with International Experts from Plug and Play Tech Center to Support Startups

Abdulakhad Kuchkarov, Executive Director of IT Park Uzbekistan, conducted strategic meetings with leading international experts from the Plug and Play Tech Center, who served as mentors and judges for the President Tech Award. The discussions centered on opportunities for scaling startups from Uzbekistan and Central Asia to global markets, attracting international investments, and fostering the development of innovative products.   

The President Tech Award is a prestigious competition for the best software solutions across five primary and one special category, featuring a total prize pool of $1 million. The initiative aims to inspire young innovators to create groundbreaking solutions and technologies with global competitiveness. 

In addition to their role as judges at the President Tech Award, international experts also shared their expertise with students and startup founders during workshops and boot camps held as part of Digital Startups Week. The speakers addressed critical topics on startup development, the venture ecosystem, and best practices in managing public sector initiatives, telecommunications, and other industries.     

Tsovinar Sofi Babayan, a mentor, advisor, and angel investor specialising in supporting startups across the Central Eurasian region.

During her meeting with Abdulakhad Kuchkarov. They reached an agreement to provide mentorship for startup founders involved in acceleration programs organized by IT Park Uzbekistan. Furthermore, plans were established to co-organize pitching sessions for startups from Uzbekistan, Armenia, and other Central Eurasian countries, aimed at attracting international investors. 

The discussions also encompassed initiatives to support startups in key sectors through collaborative programs. In conclusion, both parties explored business development programs designed to prepare startups for participation in global competitions, such as the President Tech Award.  

Yaroslav Dudko, a consultant and mentor for acceleration programs and a manager at 300brains.com, specializes in securing capital for technology companies, engaging with business angels, venture capital, and direct investment funds, as well as overseeing sales and regulatory compliance activities. 

During the meeting with Mr. Dudko, discussions focused on the potential organization of meetings to connect Uzbek startups with investors in Europe and the United Kingdom. Strategies for facilitating the entry of outsourcing companies into Uzbekistan with Mr. Dudko's assistance were also deliberated. 

The parties further explored opportunities to integrate Uzbek GameDev startups into Eastern European markets through the Softlanding program. Additionally, Mr. Dudko proposed organizing an educational and exploratory visit to Poland for Uzbek startups and advancing partnerships with universities in the United States and Canada to develop exchange programs and enhance startup support initiatives. 

Lars Vestergaard, a venture partner at InvenioGrowth, possesses extensive expertise in fostering connections among startups, corporations, and investment funds, as well as organizing pitch competitions to promote the growth of entrepreneurial ecosystems. 

During discussions, Mr. Vestergaard and Mr. Abdulakhad Kuchkarov examined opportunities to establish partnerships between Uzbek startups, global corporations, and venture capital funds.

Abdulakhad Kuchkarov extended an invitation to Mr. Vestergaard to serve as a mentor for startups participating in acceleration programs scheduled for launch in the coming year. 

The discussions also addressed the participation of Uzbek startups in fintech and telecommunications sectors at TM Ignite (Copenhagen, June 2025) and MWC Barcelona (Barcelona, February 2025). 

Martin Metodiev Gikov, Co-Founder of FINGROW and Chairman of the EIF Board of Directors, brings a wealth of experience in structured finance, investment banking, and venture building, coupled with significant expertise in supporting startups through ecosystem development. 

The meeting with Mr. Gikov highlighted collaboration with Bulgarian technoparks to support startups, introducing Uzbek projects to international investors, and facilitating their access to global markets. 

The discussions further encompassed the exploration of opportunities available to IT companies, including tax incentives, the Zero Risk program under the auspices of IT Park, and attracting Bulgarian enterprises to establish development offices in Uzbekistan, thereby fostering the creation of new employment opportunities.

Darko Dujic, Partner and Chief Executive Officer of WeTech, is an accomplished leader with extensive expertise spanning internet services, marketplaces, media, retail, e-commerce, FinTech, and consumer research. He has actively participated as an investor in startups focused on e-commerce, RetailTech, and FinTech and is a co-founder of an early-stage venture capital fund. 

During the discussions with Mr. Dujic, the parties explored strategies for attracting companies from the European Union to establish development offices in Uzbekistan. Particular attention was devoted to opportunities for facilitating outsourcing operations and promoting the export of Uzbek products and services to international markets. 

The meeting further addressed the formulation and implementation of training programs to equip Uzbek startups with critical business management and sales development competencies, emphasizing the importance of preparing them for effective scaling and customer base expansion. 

Victoria Hernandez, a board member and serial director in the telecommunications, finance, and banking sectors, serves as a judge for the European Innovation Council (EIC) on investments and as an EIC Ambassador. 

During her meeting with Ms. Hernandez, the discussions highlighted the importance of fostering global partnerships to integrate Uzbek startups into international ecosystems. She proposed the establishment of acceleration programs at IT Park, supported by the involvement of international mentors. 

Ms. Hernandez also expressed interest in collaborating with Uzbek banking institutions to develop innovative solutions that could unlock new opportunities in the technological and financial sectors. The meeting strengthened bilateral ties and enhanced prospects for Uzbek startups to access global markets. 

Piotr Serwin, Assistant Director at AMA International, is a highly regarded professional specializing in technology, finance, and entrepreneurship, with a focus on mid-market mergers and acquisitions in sectors such as digital products, IT outsourcing, and game development. He is a mentor at StartSmart CEE, a former Investment Director at TenderHut, and the founder of Fintech Trends Poland. 

In his discussions with Mr. Abdulakhad Kuchkarov, the parties deliberated on collaborations to advance the startup ecosystem and GameDev sector in Uzbekistan. Mr. Serwin shared his expertise in mergers and acquisitions to facilitate connections between local startups and European investors, thereby fostering growth through strategic partnerships. He also offered advisory support to IT Park startups on investment strategies and assistance in securing funding from global investors. 

Additionally, the potential for attracting GameDev and IT companies from the European Union to establish development offices in Uzbekistan was examined, with a focus on optimizing operational costs. Mr. Kuchkarov acknowledged Mr. Serwin’s extensive mentorship experience as an invaluable resource for supporting the growth of IT Park startups, particularly in the technology and digital sectors. 

Meri Ellaranta, Partner at Courage Venture Funds and Open Circle Capital II, specializes in investments in digital healthcare within Northern Europe and the Baltic region. Her professional portfolio includes collaborations with the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank on social development projects. Ms. Ellaranta is also a business angel and a member of esteemed networks such as Portfolia and Alma Angels, in addition to being a mentor at the EIC Scaling Club. 

During the meeting, Mr. Kuchkarov extended an invitation to Ms. Ellaranta to mentor startups in digital healthcare and social entrepreneurship, focusing on product development, financing strategies, and scaling efforts. He introduced her to promising Uzbek startups, highlighting their potential for high-growth opportunities and investment. 

Discussions also included the organization of a business delegation to EU countries, enabling prominent women-led startups from Central Asia to present their ventures to angel investor networks, venture capitalists, and corporate representatives. 

Pavel Sikachev, Product Director at Jume and an accomplished consultant, brings extensive expertise in the development and scaling of digital products. Renowned for his proficiency in product strategy, lifecycle optimization, and market expansion, he is recognized for his contributions to innovation and ecosystem development. 

During discussions with Mr. Sikachev, the focus was on leveraging his expertise to enhance product innovation and support startup growth within the IT Park ecosystem. The agenda included mentorship for startups on growth strategies and product-market alignment, conducting specialized workshops on product management, and the integration of Jume tools into IT Park initiatives. 

Mr. Sikachev expressed significant interest in actively contributing to IT Park initiatives, including supporting university-based incubation programs and mentoring early-stage startups. The discussions identified numerous opportunities for collaboration in developing tools and processes to stimulate innovation and further enrich IT Park’s offerings for startups and residents. 

These concerted efforts aim to position Uzbekistan as a preeminent innovation hub in Central Asia, offering startups a robust platform for global scaling while fostering an entrepreneurial environment that attracts investors and drives sustainable growth.