Central Asian Innovation Hubs expands regional alliance as Tajikistan joins the platform

The expanding alliance enhances Central Asia’s status as a cohesive innovation region with a global presence. The Central Asian Innovation Hubs alliance is continuing its regional growth, now including Tajikistan as its latest member — a development that bolsters the vision of Central Asia as an interconnected, investable, and globally significant innovation area.

The memorandum was signed at the inaugural C5+1 Summit in Japan by Abdulakhad Kuchkarov, CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan; Magzhan Madiev, CEO of Astana Hub; and Temur Khisamutdinov, CEO of IT Park Dushanbe, officially marking Tajikistan’s inclusion in the regional innovation platform. Consequently, startups from Tajikistan will have access to international acceleration programs, global technology exhibitions, and structured market-entry assistance offered within the alliance.

Initiated during ICT Week Uzbekistan 2024 by IT Park Uzbekistan and Astana Hub, the Central Asian Innovation Hubs was established to elevate the region on a global platform and to create practical connections between local startup ecosystems and prominent international tech markets. From the beginning, the alliance was intended as an execution-focused platform — emphasizing measurable outcomes for founders and partners rather than mere declarations.

In a brief period, the alliance has achieved significant results. Over 100 startups from across Central Asia have participated under the Central Asian Innovation Hubs banner in nine major international technology exhibitions, including Web Summit Lisbon, TechCrunch Disrupt, GITEX Global, WAIC Shanghai, InMerge, as well as London Tech Week and Eurasia Tech Week.

These coordinated international efforts have greatly enhanced the visibility of Central Asian founders and established the region as a unified, emerging innovation market.

This visibility has resulted in tangible investment achievements. Uzbek startups alone, showcased through the Central Asian Innovation Hubs platform, have secured over $82 million in funding, with more than 10 companies obtaining investments after participating in global exhibitions, pitching sessions, and investor matchmaking events facilitated by the alliance.

In 2025, the alliance entered a new phase of growth centered on structured international market entry. Currently, over 30 startups from Central Asia are expanding into key markets — including Kazakhstan, the UAE, and the United States.

Market access has been enhanced through prominent initiatives such as Draper University (Hero Training), AlchemistX, and the Silicon Valley Residency, which have provided Central Asian founders with direct engagement with global mentors, investors, and early customers.

In the Middle East, the Tumar Innovation Hub was inaugurated during GITEX Global Dubai through a collaborative effort between IT Park Uzbekistan and Astana Hub, offering structured assistance for Central Asian startups aiming to enter the MENA market. Concurrently, the hub's launch coincided with the rollout of the Digital Startups Scale Up Program in Dubai, which was successfully completed by 10 Central Asian startups, representing a significant milestone in the region's coordinated international growth.

Furthermore, the alliance has extended its reach to Shanghai, where the Khan-Tengri Innovation Hub has been established as the first platform linking the innovation ecosystems of Central Asia and China. The hub is set to host its inaugural acceleration program in early 2026, with eight Central Asian startups already chosen to take part.

Regional integration has remained a fundamental aspect of the alliance. Through the Kazakhstan Market Entry Program, 10 Uzbek startups showcased their solutions to Kazakh partners, while 10 Kazakh startups ventured into Uzbekistan as part of the Digital Startup Awards acceleration track, fostering a reciprocal exchange of technology, talent, and market access within Central Asia.

Reflecting on the alliance's expansion, Abdulakhad Kuchkarov, CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan, remarked that Tajikistan's inclusion exemplifies the pragmatic approach behind the Central Asian Innovation Hubs initiative.

“Our experience demonstrates that when we align our ecosystems and collaborate, we can integrate the region — and our startups — into the global startup community more swiftly and effectively,” he stated. “Functioning as a unified alliance enhances our strength and visibility on the international stage. By incorporating IT Park Dushanbe into the Central Asian Innovation Hubs, we are extending this validated model to Tajik startups, granting them access to the same international opportunities available throughout the region.”

“Tajikistan’s inclusion in the Central Asian Innovation Hubs signifies a crucial advancement toward establishing a robust and interconnected regional ecosystem. By uniting efforts, startups across Central Asia will achieve more efficient access to international markets.”

"We believe that a close partnership with Tajikistan will expedite the advancement of innovative technologies and attract further investment, ultimately enhancing Central Asia’s competitiveness on the global stage," stated Magzhan Madiev, CEO of Astana Hub.

The inclusion of Tajikistan marks a significant step in deepening the alliance’s regional integration, reinforcing a collective strategy aimed at scaling ecosystems more rapidly and sustainably through collaboration.

"This Memorandum lays the groundwork for the growth of the IT sector among the IT parks of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Republic of Tajikistan, and the Republic of Kazakhstan, while also promoting the expansion and enhancement of mutually beneficial cooperation in the realms of information technologies, innovation, and the digital economy," remarked Temur Khisamutdinov, CEO of IT Park Dushanbe.

As Central Asian Innovation Hubs continues to grow, its long-term goal remains evident: to establish a permanent, cross-border innovation platform that empowers startups from Central Asia to secure funding, access global markets, and compete on an international level — not as isolated national ecosystems, but as a cohesive region with scale, credibility, and global aspirations.