The role of IT Park in supporting foreign entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan

Tawney Kruger, a media specialist at Financial IT and a tech entrepreneur behind initiatives such as PraaktisGO, Zaytra.ai, and kpi.com, provided her perspective on Uzbekistan’s IT Park. In her article, she emphasizes how the national platform aids international founders by offering streamlined registration, tax benefits, export assistance, talent pipelines, and regional infrastructure — facilitating growth for both startups and established tech firms in Central Asia. Her goal is to offer practical advice on various aspects, from navigating legal frameworks to scaling operations regionally and accessing skilled talent.

Tawney Kruger, city — Tashkent, media professional and tech entrepreneur, linkedin

Upon my arrival in Uzbekistan — initially working in education and subsequently in media — I faced the uncertainties typical of entering any new market. The questions were all too familiar: How do you navigate the legal system? Where can you find the right talent? How do you integrate into an unfamiliar business environment? For foreign entrepreneurs, these obstacles can seem overwhelming.

However, as I began collaborating with companies like kpi.com, Datasite Technologies, and PraaktisGO, I discovered an environment unlike any I had previously encountered. Uzbekistan has created something exceptional: a framework designed not only to foster local innovation but also to actively embrace international entrepreneurs. Central to this evolution is IT Park Uzbekistan — a national entity that has swiftly become a foundational element of the country’s digital economy.

IT Park: A national gateway to opportunity

To grasp the current momentum, it is essential to understand what IT Park signifies. It is more than just an incubator or coworking space. Established by presidential decree and aligned with Uzbekistan’s Digital Uzbekistan 2030 strategy, IT Park operates as a national platform. It links global innovators with local opportunities and positions Uzbekistan as a global IT hub.

This strategic designation offers several benefits that foreign entrepreneurs will quickly recognize:

Streamlined registration and residency processes, facilitating faster and less bureaucratic market entry. Credibility through government endorsement, which aids in establishing trust with clients, partners, and regulators. Access to an integrated ecosystem, encompassing skilled professionals, modern infrastructure, and local business networks.

For entrepreneurs like myself, this alignment has resulted in one crucial advantage: the capacity to act swiftly.

What may take months in other markets—establishing a presence, gaining legitimacy, and securing local partnerships—can be accomplished in just weeks through IT Park.

From incentives to real impact

IT Park stands out not only for its vision but also for the concrete, practical advantages it offers.

Members of IT Park enjoy substantial tax exemptions, which include corporate income tax, social tax, and customs duties. For companies focused on exports, these incentives are guaranteed until 2040—an assurance that is remarkably uncommon in emerging markets. This allows startups and scale-ups to reinvest resources directly into personnel, technology, and expansion, rather than being burdened by operational expenses.

Uzbekistan’s youthful demographic is one of its key assets, with a total population exceeding 38 million, more than half of whom are under 30 years old. IT Park has capitalized on this resource by collaborating with universities and specialized training programs. Initiatives such as IT Talents ensure a continuous supply of developers, engineers, and IT specialists. For companies like Datasite Technologies, this talent pipeline has been crucial for rapid scaling with a workforce that is both skilled and cost-effective compared to many global markets.

In addition to serving the domestic market, IT Park aids firms in their global expansion by providing support with certification, marketing, and international outreach. In the first seven months of 2025, 481 new exporters and 232 foreign companies became part of IT Park. This demonstrates that the model is effective—Uzbekistan is not only drawing foreign investment but also facilitating the outward growth of businesses.

1. Zero Risk Program

One of the most attractive initiatives for international entrepreneurs is the Zero Risk program. This program enables foreign IT companies to set up offices in various regions of Uzbekistan without incurring upfront costs for rent, hiring, or basic operational expenses during the initial phase. IT Park effectively mitigates early risks, allowing founders to explore the market without the anxiety of significant financial losses. For investors, this presents a remarkable opportunity to venture into Central Asia with built-in protections.

1. Infrastructure across the Regions

With hubs located not only in Tashkent but also throughout Uzbekistan’s regions, IT Park ensures that opportunities are distributed beyond a single city. From coworking spaces and innovation labs to fully equipped modern office facilities, the infrastructure is designed for accessibility and rapid setup.

For international entrepreneurs, this is yet another reason that Uzbekistan is among the most accessible locations in the region for establishing operations.

International Success Stories

The outcomes of IT Park’s initiatives are evident. From January to July 2025, 481 new export-oriented companies became part of IT Park’s ecosystem, with 232 of these supported by foreign investors from countries including the U.S., U.K., Canada, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Luxembourg, Turkey, and others. These companies operate in sectors such as outsourcing, software development, and gaming—areas where Uzbekistan is swiftly gaining global recognition.

Multinational corporations like EPAM Systems, Almalence, and FIBO CLOUD have been part of the community for several years. When asked about the impact of IT Park on their businesses, they shared the following insights:

Eugene Panich, CEO of Almalence, emphasizes the convenience of conducting business: “The efficiency of IT Park’s support in regulatory compliance and administration has streamlined our operations. We strongly endorse IT Park to any software company seeking a supportive environment to thrive and innovate.”

For EPAM Uzbekistan, the advantages have been equally significant. “Since 2019, we’ve grown to over 700 employees,” states Renat Akhtyamov, Office Head. “Tax incentives, modern housing, and state-of-the-art office infrastructure provided through IT Park have been pivotal in our success.”

From Mongolia, Natsagdorj Ganjiguur, CEO of FIBO CLOUD, highlights the importance of OSS: “For someone like me with limited connections and language barriers, IT Park’s One Stop Shop handles everything—from legal setup to ongoing support. It has made expanding into Uzbekistan not only possible but smooth.”

Collectively, these narratives illustrate how IT Park has become a hub for international companies—eliminating obstacles, reducing costs, and allowing both startups and established firms to flourish in Central Asia’s expanding IT sector.

Building Human Capital

None of this progress would be sustainable without investing in people. That’s why education is a fundamental aspect of IT Park’s mission.

The establishment of IT Park University, in collaboration with EPAM, serves as a prime example. The university offers industry-relevant curricula that equip students for real-world challenges. Graduates not only acquire theoretical knowledge but also gain practical experience and international internships. This direct connection between education and industry ensures a robust and globally competitive talent pipeline.

In 2025, IT Park University marked the graduation of its inaugural class of 75 students, with over 80% of them having already obtained employment with prominent IT companies such as EPAM, IT Park, TBC Bank Uzbekistan, Payme, Alif, and Beeline.

This is significant for entrepreneurs, as access to skilled talent can often determine whether a business scales rapidly or faces early stagnation. In Uzbekistan, the availability of young, driven, and well-trained professionals continues to expand.

Regional leadership and future growth

Currently, IT Park supports over 2,900 member companies across various sectors, including IT services, education, game development, and business process outsourcing. Its residents export to 90 countries, with notable demand in North America, the CIS, Europe, and the MENA regions.

The momentum shows no signs of slowing. Looking ahead, IT Park has initiated IT Park Ventures, a $10 million fund aimed at early-stage startups, which currently has a portfolio of nine startups. Alongside new global education partnerships, these efforts further enhance the ecosystem, making Uzbekistan an increasingly appealing hub for founders and investors.

A launchpad for global founders

Every entrepreneurial venture carries inherent risks, but Uzbekistan — through IT Park — has made these risks more manageable. For international founders, the Park provides:

As Uzbekistan propels its digital transformation, IT Park serves as both an open invitation and a structured platform. For entrepreneurs eager to venture into Central Asia’s IT landscape, it offers a unique opportunity: a launchpad that harmonizes security, opportunity, and growth potential.