Startup Summit took place in Tashkent

On the first day of ICTWEEK UZBEKISTAN 2023, October 24, the Startup Summit was held in the capital.

The purpose of the summit is to introduce guests to the startup ecosystem of Uzbekistan, the best startups, investors and innovative companies in the region.

The event was opened with a welcoming speech by the Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan Sherzod Shermatov.

Later, speeches were given by the head of the EBRD in Uzbekistan, Andi Aranitasi, and the managing director of Plug and Play, Sascha Karimpour.

Andi Aranitasi spoke about the launch of the Star Venture program in Uzbekistan. This program from the EBRD aims to identify promising innovative startups, providing them with access to experience and financing. The project will help startups grow their businesses by providing advice on various aspects including strategy, finance, operations, organization, marketing and sales.

Sascha Karimpour noted that his company is now focused on expanding its presence in Uzbekistan and developing the local startup ecosystem.

“Plug and Play Uzbekistan has three key goals:

Firstly, it is transforming the region into a hub for innovation and startups. The second goal is to help local startups achieve world class status and advance in the global market. And the third is to bring the world's best technologies to Uzbekistan, which will help local companies update their work processes, provide better production facilities, better marketing and the ability to compete at the global level."

At the session, the head of the startup ecosystem development department at IT Park Uzbekistan, Jahongir Kagirov, announced the launch of Startup Base, a platform that brings together startups, investors and partners in the IT field.

 

The event included two panel discussions. The first was on the topic “Opening the startup ecosystem of Uzbekistan: attracting venture capital and expanding global reach.” The moderator was Asset Abdualiev, co-founder of Silk Road Innovation Hub, and the discussion was attended by:

• George Held — CEO of Veon AdTech;
• Sascha Karimpour — Managing Director of Plug and Play;
• Alexander Lichtman — founder of ITCOMMS;
• Pedro Vieira — managing partner at 500 Global.

The moderator of the second panel discussion “The Developing Digital Market of Central Asia” was Vladimir Norov, co-founder and chairman of the Central Asian Association of Artificial Intelligence.

The speakers were:

• Madi Tajikenov — Director of the Office of International Relations and Investments of Astana Hub;
• Chubak Temirov — General Director of the High Technology Park Kyrgyzstan;
• Abdulakhad Kuchkarov — Executive director of IT Park Uzbekistan.

The event included presentations by invited experts from abroad.

• Report by partner and head of Sturgeon Capital Robin Butler on “10-year opportunities for the venture ecosystem in Uzbekistan”;
• The EBRD Star Venture program, which will be discussed by the General Manager of the EBRD Uzbekistan Sherzod Akbarov;
• Sturgeon Capital's Swift Launch Program, Sturgeon Capital Venture Partner Stephen Lin;
• International assessment of the startup and venture sector of Central Asia, Adrien Henni, Executive Director of Alliance-Tech.eu.

The final stage of the summit was F2F meetings between representatives of international venture funds and local startups.