Uzbek startups set a new participation record at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco

In late October, a delegation from IT Park Uzbekistan, headed by Jamila Khalibaeva, Global Marketing Director, took part in one of the world's leading innovation and technology events — TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.

TechCrunch Disrupt is the largest global conference dedicated to technology and startups, held annually in San Francisco. This event acts as a venue where entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders gather to showcase projects, share knowledge, and form new partnerships.

This year marked the 20th anniversary of the conference, which attracted over 10,000 participants from 80 countries. For the first time in the event's history, a record number of startups from Uzbekistan were showcased. These teams participated under the Silkroad Pavilion, organized by the Silkroad Innovation Hub, which emphasizes the rapidly advancing technological ecosystem of Central Eurasia.

Uzbekistan was represented by eight startups: Tilmoch, Business Robots AI, Bright Future, LittleChess, DTVSOFT, TopCoach, Paylov, and Freyt.

Tilmoch is an Uzbek technology firm that is developing an artificial intelligence platform for translation and text proofreading in Uzbek, Karakalpak, and other Turkic languages. Emerging from the Tahrirchi project, Tilmoch has transformed into one of the region's most promising AI-driven services. In 2025, the startup secured $150,000 in investments from AloqaVentures, Yoshlar Ventures, and IT Park Ventures. Currently, the platform serves over 130,000 users and more than 50 corporate clients.

Business Robots AI is a B2B startup focused on automating marketing and sales processes through artificial intelligence. Its platform allows companies to manage sales funnels, advertising campaigns, and customer communications within a single digital environment. The company’s solutions are employed across e-commerce, retail, and services, improving efficiency without raising staffing costs.

Bright Future is an educational and social startup created to assist talented youth in Uzbekistan. The project offers training and mentorship programs for students aiming to gain admission to top international universities. The initiative emphasizes the development of human capital and the creation of new opportunities for young professionals in technology, science, and education.

LittleChess is an educational platform that teaches children chess in an engaging and gamified manner.

By integrating gamification, video tutorials, and sequential exercises, the platform renders learning logical and strategic thinking both accessible and enjoyable. LittleChess is widely embraced by educational institutions and parents aiming to cultivate analytical skills in younger learners.

DTVSOFT is an IT firm that creates software solutions tailored for the logistics and transportation industries. The DTVSOFT platform streamlines cargo management, route optimization, document handling, and driver oversight, leading to reduced operational expenses and enhanced transparency in supply chains. The company primarily targets corporate clients and plays a significant role in the digital transformation of the regional transportation sector.

TopCoach is an EdTech platform that connects Uzbek youth with international educational opportunities. This startup provides consulting, preparation, and mentorship services for students seeking university admissions abroad, collaborating with universities and foundations globally. The initiative positions itself as a conduit between local talent and the worldwide academic community.

Founded by OCTAGRAM in 2020, Paylov is a fintech startup that offers mobile payment, money transfer, and financial management solutions. The Paylov app facilitates instant transactions, expense analysis, and features a rewards system. The company is actively broadening its digital financial ecosystem through partnerships with banks and major retail networks.

Freyt is a burgeoning Uzbek startup concentrating on the digitalization of logistics and freight transportation. The company is in the process of developing a platform that enhances interactions between shippers and carriers, ensuring clear pricing and optimized routing. Currently experiencing rapid growth, Freyt aims to implement digital logistics solutions in the regional transport sector.

Uzbek startups showcased innovative solutions across artificial intelligence, financial technology, education, and business process automation, reflecting a high level of technical proficiency and readiness to compete on the global stage.

During a span of three days, the founders presented their ideas on the TechCrunch Showcase Stage and engaged in discussions with venture capital firms, investors, and technology companies from the United States and Europe.

As a result of their involvement, several representatives from Uzbek startups indicated that they had signed pilot project agreements, formed strategic partnerships, and established new investment connections that will aid in the global scaling of their businesses.

Alongside the main program, representatives from IT Park Uzbekistan took part in the Central Eurasian Founders & Community Meetup, a significant networking event that gathered over 300 attendees, including startup founders, investors, and leaders from the innovation ecosystem in Central Asia and Silicon Valley.

Speakers from Astana Hub, IT Park Uzbekistan, and the Alchemist Accelerator presented insights on opportunities for enhanced collaboration among regional technology ecosystems, the initiation of joint initiatives, and the expansion of global prospects for startups from Central Eurasia.

The enthusiastic participation of Uzbek teams in TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 represented another significant step in executing Uzbekistan’s strategy to establish itself as a regional hub for innovation and digital technologies, welcoming international cooperation, investment, and the exchange of ideas.