The event will bring together founders, investors, development institutions, and policymakers to showcase the momentum of Uzbekistan’s fast-expanding venture ecosystem.

This year’s conference marks the culmination of the four-month Startup Growth Program 2.0 (UzVC SGP 2.0), Uzbekistan’s flagship acceleration initiative helping early-stage startups become investment-ready through structured training, mentorship, and international exposure. Sixteen startups from across Uzbekistan and the region will pitch to a room of local, regional, and global investors.

Building Central Asia’s Venture Future

Developed under UzVC’s leadership and co-delivered with AKS Services, UzVC SGP 2.0 draws on global best practices and features guidance from prominent venture capitalists, including Asher Siddiqui (Asilica), Marvin Liao (Sukna Ventures), and Sharif El-Badawi (LGND), supported by additional mentors from Silicon Valley, Europe, and MENA.

The conference will feature two high-level panels anchored VC investors and accelerators:

• Startups, Artificial Intelligence, and Global Trends: a discussion with regional and international venture funds, accelerators, and deep-tech investors on the future of AI, founder readiness, and the evolving global investment climate.
• Uzbekistan as a Growing Investment Market: an exploration of market opportunities, regional competitiveness, and rising cross-border venture activity, featuring regional funds active across Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Participating and supporting institutions include the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Asian Development Bank, the International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group), UNDP, UK International Development, U-ENTER, the Youth Affairs Agency, Yoshlar Ventures, Hackonnect and multiple regional and international VC firms and angel investors from United States, Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia.

“Uzbekistan is now moving from ecosystem building to its expansion,” says Dilshod Khashimov, CEO of UzVC. “Through SGP 2.0 we’re helping founders turn ambition into scalable, investable businesses and connecting them with global capital.”

The on-site phase of UzVC SGP 2.0 takes place 3–5 December, starting with a two-day pitch-prep Bootcamp where startups will refine their narratives and decks under close mentor guidance. The Demo Day & Central Asia Venture Conference will follow on 5 December at U-ENTER, concluding with a networking lunch that brings together investors, partners, and ecosystem stakeholders.

About the Startup Growth Program (SGP 2.0)

Launched in 2022 as a joint initiative of UzVC and AKS Services, the Startup Growth Program is Uzbekistan’s first structured acceleration platform combining local capacity building with global mentorship. Its mission is to prepare Uzbek startups for seed and Series A fundraising and integrate them into international innovation networks.

Partners

Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Asian Development Bank, the International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group), UNDP, UK International Development, U-ENTER, the Youth Affairs Agency, Hackonnect, Yoshlar Ventures.

VCs 

Techstars, DOMiNO Ventures, Tensor Ventures, LTV Capital, Orbit Ventures, Elpis Labs, Big Sky Capital, MOST Ventures, Activat VC, White Hill Capital, and Sturgeon Capital.
 

Participating Startups

AI Business Assistant, Akam, D-Clinics, DriveLens AI, Fleetroot, Globi eSIM, Osnova, Robosell, Smart Haul Yield, TapHR, Tezbor, TezzGo, Uysot, Vasit, Wellmay, and Yaya.