The event marked the triumphant conclusion of the four-month Startup Growth Program 2.0 and brought together leading investors, entrepreneurs, and representatives of the technology ecosystem from around the world under one roof.

Demo Day 2025 demonstrated the growing maturity of Central Asia's venture ecosystem and strengthened Uzbekistan's position as a promising investment player. The event was attended by representatives of leading international venture funds, including Techstars, DOMiNO Ventures, Tensor Ventures, LTV Capital, Orbit Ventures, MOST Ventures, and Sturgeon Capital, as well as investors from Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the USA.

The event received support from major international organizations and government agencies: the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Asian Development Bank, IFC (World Bank Group), UNDP, UK International Development, as well as specialized agencies U-ENTER, Youth Affairs Agency, Yoshlar Ventures, and Hackonnect.

Startup Growth Program 2.0: The Path to Success

Startup Growth Program 2.0 is a four-month intensive startup development program aimed at preparing promising technology companies to attract investment and scale in international markets. Throughout the program, participants gained access to mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors, received training on key aspects of business development from product strategy to financial modeling, and had the opportunity to test their solutions in real markets.

The 12 selected startups went through intensive preparation, including workshops on presentation development, pitch training, and individual sessions with experts. This allowed them not only to present their products but also to demonstrate a deep understanding of their markets, competitive advantages, and growth strategies.

Startups — Heroes of Demo Day

Twelve technology companies representing various areas of innovative entrepreneurship took the stage at Demo Day:

• AI Business Assistant — an artificial intelligence-based platform for business process automation
• Akam — a technological solution for operational activity optimization
• D-Clinics — a digital platform for medical services management
• DriveLens AI — an artificial intelligence system for the automotive industry
• Fleetroot — a solution for fleet and logistics management
• Globi eSIM — a virtual SIM card service for international roaming
• Osnova — an educational technology platform
• Robosell — sales automation using AI
• TapHR — HR technology for personnel management
• Tezbor — a fintech solution for fast payments
• TezzGo — an express delivery platform
• Uysot — a real estate marketplace
• Vasit — an innovative solution for transport logistics
• Wellmay — a platform for healthy lifestyle and wellness
• Yaya — a technological service in the mobility sector

Each startup delivered a 5-minute pitch to an audience of investors, revealing their business model, market potential, unique value proposition, and scaling plans. The presentations were accompanied by live questions from investors, allowing participants to demonstrate not only the quality of their projects but also their ability to defend their ideas under serious expert evaluation.

Central Asia Venture Conference: Dialogue on the Future of Innovation

In parallel with the pitch sessions, the Central Asia Venture Conference took place — a series of panel discussions dedicated to key trends in the venture industry. The conference brought together representatives of leading venture funds, accelerators, deep-tech investors, and technology industry experts on one platform.

Panel Discussion: "Startups, Artificial Intelligence, and Global Trends"

The first panel gathered world-class experts to discuss the impact of AI on various industries, the prospects for generative technology development, and opportunities for startups in this field.

Moderator:

• Sharif El-Badawi, Managing Partner, LGND

Speakers:

• Mustafa Kopuk, Managing Partner, DOMiNO Ventures
• Petr Ulvr, Co-founder and General Partner, Tensor Ventures
• Farhan Lalji, Founding Partner, LTV Capital
• Kenneth Hyun, Managing Partner, Elpis Labs
• Ching-Pin Lin, Chief Operating Officer and Partner, Orbit Ventures
• Stephen Kinway, Director of Partnerships — MEA and APAC, Techstars

Panel participants shared their vision of how artificial intelligence is transforming the venture industry, which sectors show the greatest potential for AI startups, and how companies from emerging markets can compete in the global technology race.

Panel Discussion: "Uzbekistan as an Emerging Investment Market"

The second panel was dedicated to analyzing the current state of the region's venture ecosystem, opportunities for regional and international venture investors, the regulatory environment, and infrastructure for startup development.

Moderator:

• Marvin Lao, Investment Committee Member, Sukna Ventures

Speakers:

• Askar Bilisbekov, CEO, Qazaqstan Venture Group Ltd.
• Adil Nurgozhin, Founding Partner, Big Sky Capital VC
• Alim Hamitov PhD, Managing Partner, MOST Ventures
• Meirzhan Yesimkhanov, Executive Director, Activat VC
• Aslan Sultanov, Founding Partner, White Hill Capital
• Alijon Ravshanov, Partner, Sturgeon Capital

The discussion covered key issues of investment attractiveness in Uzbekistan and Central Asia: from regulatory changes and government support to the quality of local talent and scaling opportunities. Speakers noted the growing interest of international investors in the region and discussed strategies for successful market entry.

All discussions took place in an open dialogue format, where participants could ask questions to speakers and exchange experiences. This format contributed not only to knowledge sharing but also to establishing direct contacts between representatives of different segments of the venture industry.

Networking: Building International Connections

One of the key elements of Demo Day was the networking dinner, which brought all event participants together in an informal atmosphere. This time was used for in-depth discussions between startups and investors, discussing the details of potential deals, and establishing partnerships.

For many startups, this was a unique opportunity to gain direct access to international investors who rarely visit the region. Investors, in turn, had the opportunity to get to know the teams more closely, assess their expertise and growth potential.

Historic Event: Investment in Big Sky Capital

A special moment of the event was the signing of an investment agreement between UzVC and Alem Venture Fund on joint investments in Big Sky Capital. This agreement demonstrates the growing cooperation between Central Asian venture funds and opens new opportunities for cross-regional investments.

The signing of the agreement during Demo Day symbolizes not only a specific investment deal but also a broader trend toward the integration of regional venture ecosystems. This creates prerequisites for forming a unified investment space in Central Asia, where funds can jointly support promising projects and facilitate their international scaling.

Looking to the Future

Demo Day and Central Asia Venture Conference 2025 became an important milestone in the development of the region's venture industry. The event demonstrated that Central Asia, and Uzbekistan in particular, has everything necessary to become a significant innovation hub: talented entrepreneurs, growing support from the government and international organizations, as well as interest from global investors.

The success of Startup Growth Program 2.0 and the high level of event organization strengthen UzVC's reputation as a key player in the development of the region's venture ecosystem. The fund continues to work on creating a favorable environment for startups, providing them not only with financial support but also access to international markets, expertise, and networks.

For the startups that participated in Demo Day, this is just the beginning of the journey. Many of them are already in negotiations with potential investors, and some are preparing to close funding rounds. Events of this scale prove that with quality products, strong teams, and proper support, startups from Central Asia can successfully compete on the international stage.

UzVC expresses gratitude to all partners, investors, mentors, and participants who made this event possible. We will continue working on developing the venture ecosystem and creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs in the region.