For the first time in the CIS: Web Summit Spotlight held in Tashkent

On 27 September 2025, Tashkent hosted the Web Summit Spotlight for the first time in the CIS — a unique format of one of the most significant technology forums globally. This event was organized by the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan and IT Park Uzbekistan in collaboration with Web Summit.

The flagship Web Summit convenes over 70,000 participants each year in Lisbon, comprising startup founders, corporate leaders, investors, and researchers. By hosting Spotlight in Tashkent, the Web Summit ecosystem's reach was broadened, which already includes cities like Lisbon, Rio de Janeiro, Vancouver, Hong Kong, and Doha, thereby granting the region direct access to global networking, capital, and expertise.

Web Summit Spotlight — a gateway to the future

The program commenced with Olimjon Umarov, First Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, who highlighted that the summit serves as a “gateway to the future,” indicating Uzbekistan's emerging role in the global digital economy.

Ciara Haley, Executive Producer for Special Projects at Web Summit, officially inaugurated Web Summit Spotlight: Uzbekistan — the inaugural event of its kind in Central Asia and the CIS — emphasizing the significance of its location in Uzbekistan. She noted that the participation of over 400 attendees, including 90 international guests from more than 30 countries, reflects the increasing global interest in the nation. Haley remarked that Uzbekistan is currently ranked second worldwide in terms of startup ecosystem growth, according to StartupBlink, signaling a new wave of entrepreneurs backed by an ambitious national strategy and a scalable ecosystem.

Keynote addresses

The program also included keynote speeches and panel discussions featuring international experts, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.

During the event, Alfredo Gomez Soria, Director of Corporate Relations at Plug and Play Tech Center, shared insights from the accelerator's operations in Uzbekistan:

“We have seen ambition. We have seen hunger, drive, and new opportunities brought by startups. And all of this has been made possible thanks to bold reforms, strong motivation, and a team ready to go beyond the ordinary. My message today is simple: let us work together. You have the Plug and Play network, which will help establish these connections."

"We truly wish for your success and growth, and for us, Uzbekistan already occupies a pivotal role in Central Asia as our regional hub."

Following this, Katrin Calledo, Head of Ecosystem Success at StartupBlink, delivered a report on Uzbekistan’s startup ecosystem, emphasizing its notable advancements in the global startup ecosystem ranking:

"This year, Uzbekistan made its debut in the global top 100 for the first time. From 2012 to 2025, the country exhibited extraordinary progress — an 89.9% growth rate, ranking first in Central Asia and second globally in terms of growth rate. Tashkent alone experienced over 132% growth. In comparison to other regions, Uzbekistan’s development speed is four times greater, showcasing the country’s dynamic growth and its rising significance on the global stage."

Global Venture Investment Trends and Their Impact on Emerging Markets

The forum included a panel discussion titled “Global Venture Investment Trends and Their Impact on Emerging Markets,” featuring prominent experts from the venture market. The session was moderated by Nada Shaheen, Managing Director at GB Ventures. Panelists included Mustafa Kopuk, Managing Partner and Founder of Domino Ventures, who underscored the necessity of nurturing B2B and high-tech startups; Soumaya Ben Beya Dridje, Partner at Rasmal Ventures, who pointed out the significance of international co-investments and the openness to talent and new connections; and Alexey Kolegov, Director of Tax and Legal Services in Uzbekistan at Ernst & Young (EY), who highlighted the need for adaptable regulatory tools and the beneficial reforms enhancing the country’s appeal to foreign investors.

Breaking Borders, Building Futures

Beknazar Abdikamalov, Co-Founder of HUPO, shared the evolution of his startup, detailing its shift from the wellness sector to creating real-time AI coaching solutions now utilized by global companies such as Sephora, KPMG, and Oracle.

He noted that HUPO aims to become a global operating system for frontline teams and exemplifies a startup from Uzbekistan that has successfully expanded internationally. The company has already secured $4 million from international investors, including Meta, Goodwater Capital, January Capital, Strong Ventures, and Collaborative Fund.

Why Invest in Central Eurasian Startups

Insights on this subject were provided during the panel “Why Invest in Central Eurasian Startups,” moderated by Andrea Kates, Managing Partner at SUMA Ventures.

Imtiyaz Basharat, Partner at Heartfelt Ventures, highlighted that the swift expansion of startups and ecosystems serves as the main indicator for investors.

Michael Lints, Partner at Golden Gate Ventures, emphasized the significance of collaborating with founders from the earliest stages and comprehending their associated risks.

Mammad Karim, General Partner at Caucasus Ventures, recounted experiences of deals that emerged from networking and openness within the region.

Meanwhile, Abbas Kazmi, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at SABAH.fund, advocated for the development of distinctive strategies tailored to each nation instead of merely imitating the Silicon Valley model, pointing out that the achievements and visibility of startups themselves will draw international investors.

The future of business: digital twins, AI, and XR as drivers of efficiency and sustainability

During the Web Summit Spotlight: Uzbekistan, Amy Peck, Founder and CEO of Endeavor AI, presented on the potential of digital twins, artificial intelligence, and XR technologies. She highlighted their significance in lowering costs, improving efficiency, and bolstering business resilience. Peck asserted that companies need to adopt a startup mindset, cultivate a culture of innovation, and balance core business growth with forward-thinking investments to stay competitive in the global market.

Opportunities for global corporations in emerging markets

The panel titled “Opportunities for Global Corporations in Emerging Markets” focused on international experiences and strategies for scaling, with speakers providing practical insights into startup development and Uzbekistan’s position in the global ecosystem. The discussion was moderated by Iro Tsagareishvili, Managing Director at Axel — Georgian Business Angel Network.

Cliona Jordan (Google for Startups) remarked on the country's remarkable growth rate and the critical role of IT Park infrastructure in gaining access to the global arena. Ben Guerin (Topham Guerin) discussed the benefits of operating in emerging markets and the distinctive entrepreneurial spirit found in Uzbekistan. Walid Barsali (BallSquad, La French Tech Warsaw) stressed the necessity of maintaining Uzbekistan’s leading position in Central Asia, drawing comparisons to the French model. Matthew Neff (Snoonu) shared his company’s success story, illustrating how determination, growth, and a customer-focused approach can elevate local startups to international prominence.

Uzbekistan — Emerging as a New Hub in the Global IT Ecosystem

During his closing remarks, Abdulakhad Kuchkarov, CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan, remarked:

“In just a few years, Uzbekistan has evolved into one of the fastest-growing technology ecosystems worldwide. We increased our IT exports from $600,000 in 2017 to over $900 million in 2024. Starting with only four companies, we have cultivated an ecosystem that is now recognized globally, setting the stage for the rise of new billion-dollar enterprises. And this is merely the beginning of our journey.”

The hosting of Web Summit Spotlight: Uzbekistan in Tashkent not only underscored the swift expansion of Uzbekistan’s IT ecosystem but also represented a significant advancement in solidifying its position on the global technology landscape. The forum opened new avenues for collaboration, drew the interest of investors, international firms, and media to the region, and showcased that Central Asia is prepared to assume its role as an equal player in the global technology discourse.

The event's media partners included Aniq.uz, Daryo.uz, Frank.uz, Kursiv, Nova 24, The Tech, UzbekFintech, Weproject, Vzglyad.uz, and the radio station Oriat Dono.