IT Park Uzbekistan and StartupBlink defined priorities for cooperation and outlined new steps for ecosystem development

Abdulakhad Kuchkarov, the CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan, convened a meeting with a delegation from StartupBlink, which featured Katrin Calledo, Chief of Staff for Ecosystem Development, and Ebrar Sunor, Startup Ecosystem Activation Manager. The discussions centered on key areas of collaboration and the next steps to enhance the startup ecosystem.

StartupBlink is a prominent global analytics provider focused on startups and ecosystems. The organization merges a crowdsourcing platform with in-depth research reports and partnerships with governmental bodies to improve visibility, perform comparative analyses, and foster innovation hubs around the globe.

On May 20, 2025, StartupBlink released the revised Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025 — the most comprehensive analysis of the global startup economy to date. This report features rankings of 1,400 cities and 110 countries, highlighting the leaders within the innovation economy. The index was created in partnership with notable global data collaborators such as Crunchbase, Semrush, and over 100 government institutions.

In 2025, Uzbekistan made its debut in the global ranking of the top 100 startup ecosystems, securing the 98th position and showcasing an impressive growth rate of 132% — the highest in Central Asia and the second highest worldwide. This achievement solidified the country's reputation as the fastest-growing startup hub in the region. Tashkent, in particular, distinguished itself as the most rapidly developing city in Central Asia, achieving similar growth and ranking 350th in the global top 400.

During the meeting, the participants explored the possibility of enhancing the functionality of Uzbekistan’s corporate startup ecosystem portal on the StartupBlink platform, which would include dedicated sections for programs, news, a startup database, and foundational analytics. Future plans also involve further customization to align with national goals, along with the development of a comprehensive content package for public dissemination.

It was agreed to refresh statistical data and incorporate insights gained from B2B meetings, as well as visits to local incubation and acceleration centers, universities, and venture capital funds. The findings underscored that startups need not only funding but also mentorship, infrastructure, and access to acceleration programs.

In summary, the parties have come to an agreement regarding the forthcoming actions, which encompass the creation and dissemination of analytical materials, the public unveiling of the revamped portal, and the formulation of a collaborative roadmap for upcoming initiatives.

Partnerships with international organizations like StartupBlink greatly elevate Uzbekistan's global standing as a nation with increasing startup potential. The revamped portal, analytical reports, and initiatives designed to penetrate foreign markets will act as essential tools in advancing the national startup ecosystem on an international level.