- When “Unbound” was established and what does it do?

Unbound Global was established by Daniel Ciel in 2013 to help develop a startup ecosystem by building links between the leading ecosystem participants such as entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, governments, accelerators, incubators and other participants.

Unbound is a powerful, reliable brand that supports and respects innovations worldwide. We are the link which eliminates the gap between entrepreneurs, corporate business, investors and government to develop a better digital future. We support innovative solutions by showing innovatory ideas to digital communities worldwide.

Unbound is world famous for organizing innovative festivals in Singapore, London, Abu Dhabi, which integrate more than 5,000 delegates, 2,500 brands and corporations, more than 2,000 startups and various kinds of enterprises from all four continents. These events involve more than 20% of the international audience in more than 70 countries.

- What do you think about Unbound Tashkent?

- Tashkent was the third place of our company where were held Unbound events after the Caucasus and the Central Asian region (on August 5, Baku and on August 7, Tbilisi). Unbound Tashkent was held for the first time in Uzbekistan. On August 9, 2019, at the GroundZero TechnoPlaza in Tashkent, the event joined the best technology entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan, as well as investors, corporations, government representatives and other key participants in the startup ecosystem in order to promote entrepreneurship as a career choice.

- What do you think about the IT sector of Uzbekistan?

- It is worth noting that the event in Uzbekistan collected the largest number of applications more than 50 for participation - it is the best result up to now! This means that technological entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan is becoming better and we are expecting your country get good results in 3-5 years.

- Does Uzbekistan have a chance to become the technological leader of the countries of Central Asia?

I think that everyone will agree with me when I say that Kazakhstan now occupies a leading position in the IT field in the regions of Central Asia. However, in Uzbekistan, the trends of the IT sector is moving better and faster at the moment, so it seems to me that Uzbekistan has every chance to catch up with its neighbor in the next 5-10 years if you can keep to maintain these growth rates.

- What steps should we take to do this? What are your opinion, recommendations and advice?

- I would advise you a few activities:

1. Since absolutely all countries of the former Soviet Union did not focus on professional specialization and vocational guidance, I would advise authorized persons in Uzbekistan to develop both technical and soft skills among schoolchildren and students, that is, to develop education in the country at every possible level.
2. As Uzbekistan is the largest market in Central Asia, it would be more appropriate to create a "soft landing point" (soft landing in the business cycle - ed.) for technological entrepreneurs in the largest cities of the Republic in order to increase competition between local entrepreneurs and satisfy Uzbekistan’s market with technological solutions, and this in turn will increase the adoption index of innovations in the country.
3. It must be focused on creating favorable conditions for investment from both external and internal investors, as well as founding a club (s) of business angels.
4. Country should develop social institutions to support and advance the startup ecosystem.
5. Moreover, it should be involved the largest companies and corporations in Uzbekistan and they should be motivated to create innovative programs, drawing technology entrepreneurs.
6. It is reasonable to make a road show on the target markets of Uzbekistan and establish relations with the same “soft landing points” in other countries, create a network of digital ambassadors, and also draw as much international attention as possible to the Uzbek startup ecosystem.