IT Park Uzbekistan and HKSTP Expand Cooperation in the Startup Sector

Representatives from IT Park Uzbekistan and Academia Park London held a meeting to discuss further cooperation aimed at supporting Uzbek startups looking to enter international markets.

The meeting took place during the ICT WEEK Uzbekistan 2026 event. Participants included Azamat Karamatov, CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan, and Ata Arduger, Co-founder and CEO of Academia Park London.

One of the key topics discussed was the promotion of Uzbek startups in both the United Kingdom and Turkey. The parties reviewed the possibility of establishing connections with potential partners, technology companies, and investors, as well as developing soft landing mechanisms to assist businesses entering new markets.

The prospect of joint work within the London Hub initiative and the possibility of launching a program for Uzbek startups interested in the Turkish market were also discussed.

Special attention was paid to the participation of Uzbek technology companies in international events such as Money20/20, as well as the organization of business missions. In particular, the parties considered organizing a program in Turkey next year involving five Uzbek startups.

IT Park Uzbekistan and Academia Park London are already implementing joint projects. Academia Park supported delegations from Central Asia at London Tech Week in 2025 and 2026, including startups from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Furthermore, the company supported IT Park Uzbekistan's participation in the GovTech Summit in April 2026. Thanks to Academia Park's support, UZINFOCOM was able to participate in Money20/20 Europe.

Academia Park London was founded in London in 2023. This platform provides support to startups, fast-growing companies, and innovative enterprises from emerging markets wishing to enter the UK and European markets. The opportunities provided include access to workspace infrastructure, mentorship, corporate partners, investors, and international business development programs.

During the ICT WEEK Uzbekistan 2026 event in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, representatives of IT Park Uzbekistan held discussions on attracting foreign investment into Uzbekistan's technology companies together with Princeville Capital and Hypernova Capital.

The negotiations included Anthony Dow, a partner from Princeville Capital, and Tugce Ergul, managing partner of Hypernova Capital. The parties reviewed potential opportunities for investing in Uzbek startups at various stages of development—from early-stage projects to growing companies.

Topics discussed included mechanisms for co-investment with local venture funds, ensuring access for Uzbek startups to an international network of investors, and promoting technology firms in foreign markets.

Separately, IT Park Uzbekistan discussed with representatives of Princeville Capital the prospects of forming a stream of promising artificial intelligence startups. It is expected that such projects will enter the fund's investment portfolio and subsequently attract the attention of international investors at later stages.

Discussions with Hypernova Capital focused on attracting capital from Asian LP investors into Uzbekistan's venture ecosystem. Participants examined ways to establish connections between local venture funds and the global network of LP investors, as well as methods to increase Uzbekistan's attractiveness to Asian capital.

Furthermore, the parties discussed developing contacts between Uzbek startups and mentors and investors from Silicon Valley, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Potential areas of cooperation covered industry, artificial intelligence, sustainable development, and digital transformation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue working on expanding international investment flows for AI startups, attracting capital from Asian LP investors to Uzbekistan, and strengthening ties between the local venture ecosystem and the global investor network.

IT Park Uzbekistan and the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) held a meeting to discuss opportunities for expanding interaction in the startup sector and supporting technology companies aiming to enter international markets.

The meeting took place in Seoul with the participation of Jamol Makhsudov, Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, Jakhongir Rajabov, Executive Director of IT Park Uzbekistan, and representatives of IT Park Uzbekistan.

The parties discussed prospects for developing startup ecosystems, scaling technology companies internationally, and strengthening ties between entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan and South Korea.

KISED is a state institution under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of the Republic of Korea. The institute implements national programs to support entrepreneurship and technological startups, covering areas such as business training and launch, acceleration, commercialization, attracting investment, and entering foreign markets.

Proposal for a Joint Exchange Program

One of the proposed directions was the creation of a joint startup exchange and a 'soft landing' program for Uzbek companies interested in entering the Korean market, as well as for Korean startups considering opportunities in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. This potential program could include market entry consultations, mentorship support, assistance in finding local partners, and conducting B2B meetings.

Special attention was paid to the possible participation of promising startups from IT Park Uzbekistan in KISED's international programs, such as K-Startup Grand Challenge, Global Market Expansion Program, and K-Startup Centers, as well as in exhibitions and business events.

Planning Forums and Knowledge Exchanges

The parties also considered the possibility of holding a Uzbekistan-Korea Startup Forum in 2027 involving startups, investors, accelerators, and corporate partners from both countries. Furthermore, they plan to discuss mutual business missions to Uzbekistan and South Korea, which will include B2B meetings, investment sessions, visits to technology companies, and market entry events.

Another aspect was the exchange of experience in creating startup ecosystems. It was planned to organize seminars and educational programs for employees of IT Park Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Digital Technologies on mechanisms for supporting startups in Korea, technology commercialization, open corporate innovation models, and the development of innovative infrastructure.

It was also discussed using the KISED network to help Uzbek startups establish contacts with venture capital funds, investors, corporations, and other participants in the Korean technology ecosystem. After the meeting, the parties defined areas for further development of practical cooperation formats aimed at expanding startups' access to new markets, investments, and international partnerships in both countries.