IT Park Uzbekistan and GDIN Expand Cooperation in Startup Development and International Market Access

During a working meeting, Uzbekistan's Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, and IT Park Uzbekistan Executive Director Jakhongir Radjabov met with JongKap Kim, President and CEO of the Global Digital Innovation Network (GDIN).

The meeting coincided with the opening ceremony of the IT Park Uzbekistan Liaison Office in the Republic of Korea, located in the Pangyo Technovalley technology cluster in Seongnam. Established in collaboration with GDIN, the office will serve as a platform for direct engagement with Korean technology companies, startups, investors, and other members of the innovation ecosystem. Daniyar Atadjanov has been appointed as the official representative of IT Park Uzbekistan in the Republic of Korea.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by representatives from both sides, who also presented the activities of their respective organizations. GDIN Executive Director Sokjin Chang introduced the organization's key areas of activity, followed by a presentation from the IT Park Uzbekistan team on the opportunities offered by Uzbekistan’s technology ecosystem and the conditions available for international business development.

Daniyar Atadjanov outlined the main areas of activity for the new office, including engagement with the local technology community, attracting Korean companies to Uzbekistan, and supporting Uzbek technology projects in entering the Korean market.

One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IT Park Uzbekistan and GDIN. The document establishes cooperation in startup support, the international scaling of technology companies, and the development of practical mechanisms for collaboration between the innovation ecosystems of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea.

Under the partnership, the sides plan to implement joint initiatives, including the establishment of Joint Ventures (JVs), market-entry programs for companies expanding internationally, startup exchange programs between the two countries, joint pilot projects, and further cooperation in artificial intelligence and R&D.

IT Park Uzbekistan will also join GDIN’s partner network, which will help expand direct engagement between Uzbek and Korean technology companies.

Uzbek Startups Entering the Republic of Korea Market

Particular attention was given to the launch of the first Proof of Concept (PoC) initiative for Uzbek startups in the Republic of Korea under the Korea–Uzbekistan Global PoC Program.

The program will allow startups to test their technological solutions in the Korean market, obtain feedback from potential partners and customers, evaluate market demand for their products, and prepare for future scaling.

The parties also discussed the creation of joint ventures involving companies from both countries. At the initial stage, the sides plan to develop three joint venture projects and one PoC program, with their launch set for January 2027.

New Connections with the Republic of Korea’s Technology Ecosystem

The event also featured a networking session with representatives from Korea's technology, investment, education, and business sectors.

Representatives from KOIIA, Inpro, KPMG, Ezcure, Korea IT Consulting, KDDI Korea, Neural D, Yonsei University, ARTYZ Korea Inc., WISESTONE, Prototie, and SaferZone participated in the discussions.

Attendees explored potential areas for collaboration, opportunities for companies to enter each other's markets, the initiation of joint projects, and the development of direct business relationships between technology firms in Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea.

Cooperation with GDIN and the activities of the new IT Park Uzbekistan office offer additional opportunities for attracting Korean technology companies to Uzbekistan, expanding startup exchanges, launching joint pilot projects, and enhancing collaboration in AI and R&D.

The Global Digital Innovation Network (GDIN) was founded in 2013 and promotes international collaboration among innovative technology companies from the Republic of Korea and other countries, as well as their expansion into global markets. Since its inception, GDIN has supported more than 3,000 technology companies, facilitated 160 international partnerships, provided over 20,000 consulting services, and assisted companies in attracting approximately USD 3.6 billion in investment.

The signed memorandum and the opening of the Liaison Office provide a practical foundation for Uzbek startups to enter the Korean market, attract Korean companies to Uzbekistan, launch joint ventures, and test technology solutions through PoC programs, while further strengthening ties between the innovation ecosystems of the two countries.