Outcomes of the visit to the United States: new opportunities for Uzbek startups

A delegation from IT Park Uzbekistan, headed by Startup and Investment Development Director Elyor Maksudov, visited the United States, where they engaged with prominent accelerators, investment firms, and technology companies. Notable participants included Draper University, Plug and Play, Startup Genome, StartX, OpenAI, Scale AI, and Techstars. The discussions aimed at enhancing Uzbekistan’s startup ecosystem, drawing in international investment, and incorporating advanced technologies into educational and public services.

Draper University: Venture investment and program participation

In the meeting with Draper University, both parties examined the possibility of creating a joint venture fund with IT Park Ventures to support startups in Central Eurasia and assist them in accessing global markets. They also discussed opportunities for integrating Uzbek startups into Draper’s international network and their involvement in programs such as Hero Training, the Global Innovation Program, and VCx. Draper expressed its willingness to take part in ICT Week Uzbekistan 2025.

Draper University is a U.S.-based educational institution focused on venture investment and entrepreneurial training.

Plug and Play: Artificial intelligence center in Uzbekistan

Conversations with Plug and Play revolved around enhancing access for Uzbek startups to the company’s global network and organizing collaborative initiatives in Uzbekistan. The company suggested establishing a Plug and Play Artificial Intelligence Center in Tashkent and forming a joint venture fund.

Plug and Play is recognized as one of the largest venture accelerators globally, boasting an extensive international network of startups and investors.

Startup Genome: Analytics and international positioning

IT Park and Startup Genome agreed to work together on the rapid development of the startup ecosystem through data-driven strategies and global methodologies. The discussions included benchmarking, developing KPIs, and providing recommendations to bolster early-stage startups and attract investment.

Startup Genome is a worldwide research organization that specializes in analytics and development of startup ecosystems.

StartX: Mentorship and acceleration

The meeting with StartX reaffirmed the organization’s interest in collaborating with Uzbekistan.

Conversations centered on mentorship mechanisms, the involvement of Uzbek startups in an acceleration program in California, and the potential introduction of a pilot bootcamp during ICT Week Uzbekistan 2025.

StartX is a nonprofit accelerator associated with Stanford University, committed to aiding startups through mentorship and networking opportunities.

OpenAI: Artificial intelligence in education and public services

The discussion with OpenAI revolved around the incorporation of artificial intelligence into the educational framework and public services. Proposed projects included GPT.edu, aimed at one million users in Uzbekistan, as well as a potential ChatGPT Gov initiative. OpenAI indicated its willingness to partner on educational and research initiatives in Uzbekistan.

OpenAI is a worldwide leader in artificial intelligence and the creator of ChatGPT and advanced language models.

Scale AI: Access to platforms and pilot projects

Scale AI showcased its expertise in data annotation, validation, and AI model assessment. The discussions also covered the possibility of granting access to the Outlier AI platform in Uzbekistan and launching pilot projects that would involve local experts.

Scale AI is a U.S.-based firm that specializes in data preparation for machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Techstars: Launch of joint initiatives

The involved parties explored the potential initiation of a regional project under the Techstars brand. IT Park shared updates on the development of Uzbekistan’s startup ecosystem, alongside national initiatives such as the Digital Startup Awards and Venture Startup Studios. They agreed to form a working group and confirmed a planned visit by Techstars representatives to Uzbekistan during ICT Week 2025.

Techstars is a global network of accelerators and venture funds that supports startups worldwide.

These interactions underscored Uzbekistan’s status as a nation with a rapidly advancing startup ecosystem. The agreements established will facilitate access to international expertise, investment, and state-of-the-art technologies, allowing Uzbek startups to penetrate global markets and enhance their competitiveness on the international stage.