This 12-week program offers workshops and mentorship sessions on key topics such as venture strategy, product development, branding, growth hacking, and go-to-market approaches. Participants will gain access to Plug and Play’s global network of corporate partners, investors, and mentors, along with opportunities to connect with unicorn founders and industry experts.

In October 2022, Plug and Play, one of the world’s most active venture capital firms and accelerators, launched its Uzbekistan office in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Technologies and IT Park. What started as a casual conversation with IT Park snowballed into Plug and Play Uzbekistan – a hub for startup acceleration and innovation in Central Asia. Applications for Batch 4 of the Plug and Play Acceleration Program are open now at the official website: https://innovationchallenge.pnp.tc/int-accelerator-uzbekistan/ 

Why Build a Startup Ecosystem in Central Asia?

Uzbekistan and Central Asia are actively transitioning from traditional industries like agriculture and natural resources to more tech-driven sectors such as FinTech, HealthTech, EdTech, and Artificial Intelligence. Startups act as engines of growth, bringing fresh ideas, creating jobs, and diversifying the economy. 

Innovation ecosystems are the backbone of this growth. By creating tech parks, accelerators, incubators, and mentorship programs like those led by Plug and Play, these ecosystems do more than just support individual startups – they cultivate an environment where entire industries can thrive. When these ecosystems connect across borders, they open the door to collaboration, investment, and scaling businesses beyond national boundaries.

Why Uzbekistan?

Plug and Play’s move into Uzbekistan marks an exciting step into a growing market full of potential. The strong support from the Uzbek government and key institutions is a big reason for this expansion. The Ministry of Digital Technologies and IT Park have been key partners, helping ensure Plug and Play efforts align with Uzbekistan’s national development goals. This support reflects the country’s clear commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and growing its tech sector.

Uzbekistan offers unique growth opportunities, with nearly 60% of its population under 30 – making it one of the youngest markets in the world. This dynamic generation is driving technological development and tapping into global opportunities. At this early stage of its innovation journey, as new ideas and technologies take shape, Plug and Play provides crucial support, connecting young talent to the global technology ecosystem.

Plug and Play is excited to help the country grow into a vibrant hub for innovation and startups. Their work also boosts the broader Central Asian region, helping diversify its economy and giving local talent global opportunities. For Plug and Play, this is more than just business. It’s about being part of a transformation that could inspire a new wave of entrepreneurs and innovators. 

How Plug and Play Empowers Startups Across Central Asia?

Since its inception, Plug and Play Uzbekistan has already run four startup batches, working with startups from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and beyond in sectors like EdTech, HealthTech, FinTech, EnterpriseTech, and Artificial Intelligence. The program aims to connect these startups to the Plug and Play global network while fostering growth in Uzbekistan's startup ecosystem.

Plug and Play is also actively engaged in initiatives that foster innovation and support the startup ecosystem in Uzbekistan. On the investment side, Plug and Play has backed promising Uzbek startups like Zip24, Zypl.ai, and Point AI. Globally, Plug and Play Ventures invest in more than 200 startups annually. Currently, the Plug and Play portfolio features 34 unicorn startups. In the fall of 2024, Plug and Play Uzbekistan co-hosted the Startup & Venture Summit with IT Park during ICT Week 2024 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s most significant annual tech event. 

Furthermore, the Plug and Play FoundHER network empowers female entrepreneurs across Central Asia by equipping them with the tools, skills, and connections needed to succeed in the global economy. One of the success stories is Realt24, a pioneering Uzbek startup – an AI-driven real estate marketplace, matching clients with tailored property and mortgage options and connecting banks and developers with pre-qualified leads. In 2023, Helen Andreeva, the founder of Realt24, joined the Plug and Play FoundHER program, ending with an Innovation Trip to Silicon Valley and training at Plug and Play Tech Center’s HQ. In 2024, the startup made it to the Global Stage of the Entrepreneurship World Cup, ranking in the TOP 250 out of over 15,000 startups from 200 countries! In collaboration with the World Bank, Plug and Play also contributes to the modernization of Uzbekistan’s national innovation system through the MUNIS project. 

In December 2024, Digital Startups Week coincided with the President Tech Award Competition and the offline module of Plug and Play Accelerator Program Batch 3. The President Tech Award, supported by the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan and IT Park Uzbekistan with Plug and Play as a partner, celebrates groundbreaking software innovations in categories such as AI Tech, Social Tech, GameTech, Micro-SaaS & AdTech, and FinTech. This year’s competition attracted 3,458 participants and 538 teams. For the first time, the competition introduced a new category, “Technological Solutions in the Micro-SaaS and AdTech Sectors”, which attracted the participation of 31 teams. 

The competition comprised five stages, including mentorship sessions, pitch polish workshops, and a Demo Day, culminating in distributing a $900,000 prize fund among the 15 best teams across five categories. An additional $100,000 was awarded to the team “Lorem Ipsum” for their project “Focuscore AI” during a special hackathon. Plug and Play, a key partner in the event, brought in international experts from corporate innovation, venture capital, and other fields to mentor the contestants and select the winners.

“Uzbekistan is at an exciting stage in its journey to being a regional innovation hub, and we’re proud to be part of it. The talent and potential here are incredible, and we’re not just supporting startups –we’re building an ecosystem that drives economic growth, creates opportunities, and puts Central Asia on the global innovation map. From empowering startups to supporting women entrepreneurs, our work in Uzbekistan is just the beginning. Together with our partners and the local startup community, we’re creating a foundation for a future where innovation thrives across borders”, Alfredo Gomez Soria, Senior Corporate Partnerships at Plug and Play, noted.

What’s Next for Plug and Play Uzbekistan?

Plug and Play is looking to work with IT Park on supporting startups in Central Eurasia through various future initiatives. Some ideas include creating programs to help startups prepare for global competitions and organizing pitching sessions for startups from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and other nearby countries to connect them with international investors. There’s also interest in helping outsourcing companies set up in Uzbekistan and exploring options like tax incentives for IT businesses.

On the education side, Plug and Play hopes to support visits to Europe and partnerships with U.S. universities to create exchange programs. They also aim to connect Uzbek startups with global corporations and VC funds and encourage European companies to open offices in Uzbekistan to take advantage of outsourcing opportunities and boost exports.

Plug and Play is delivering training programs to give startups key business and sales skills to help them scale and grow. Another idea is organizing business trips to the EU, especially for women-led startups in Central Asia.

FinTech, Healthcare, and GameTech are booming, and Plug and Play is thrilled to keep driving innovation, turning Uzbekistan into a key startup hub for Central Asia.

Aziza Alimova, UzA

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Plug and Play, one of the world’s most active VCs opens applications for Batch 4 of its Acceleration Program in Uzbekistan for Fintech and Enterprise AI Startups

This 12-week program offers workshops and mentorship sessions on key topics such as venture strategy, product development, branding, growth hacking, and go-to-market approaches. Participants will gain access to Plug and Play’s global network of corporate partners, investors, and mentors, along with opportunities to connect with unicorn founders and industry experts.

In October 2022, Plug and Play, one of the world’s most active venture capital firms and accelerators, launched its Uzbekistan office in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Technologies and IT Park. What started as a casual conversation with IT Park snowballed into Plug and Play Uzbekistan – a hub for startup acceleration and innovation in Central Asia. Applications for Batch 4 of the Plug and Play Acceleration Program are open now at the official website: https://innovationchallenge.pnp.tc/int-accelerator-uzbekistan/ 

Why Build a Startup Ecosystem in Central Asia?

Uzbekistan and Central Asia are actively transitioning from traditional industries like agriculture and natural resources to more tech-driven sectors such as FinTech, HealthTech, EdTech, and Artificial Intelligence. Startups act as engines of growth, bringing fresh ideas, creating jobs, and diversifying the economy. 

Innovation ecosystems are the backbone of this growth. By creating tech parks, accelerators, incubators, and mentorship programs like those led by Plug and Play, these ecosystems do more than just support individual startups – they cultivate an environment where entire industries can thrive. When these ecosystems connect across borders, they open the door to collaboration, investment, and scaling businesses beyond national boundaries.

Why Uzbekistan?

Plug and Play’s move into Uzbekistan marks an exciting step into a growing market full of potential. The strong support from the Uzbek government and key institutions is a big reason for this expansion. The Ministry of Digital Technologies and IT Park have been key partners, helping ensure Plug and Play efforts align with Uzbekistan’s national development goals. This support reflects the country’s clear commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and growing its tech sector.

Uzbekistan offers unique growth opportunities, with nearly 60% of its population under 30 – making it one of the youngest markets in the world. This dynamic generation is driving technological development and tapping into global opportunities. At this early stage of its innovation journey, as new ideas and technologies take shape, Plug and Play provides crucial support, connecting young talent to the global technology ecosystem.

Plug and Play is excited to help the country grow into a vibrant hub for innovation and startups. Their work also boosts the broader Central Asian region, helping diversify its economy and giving local talent global opportunities. For Plug and Play, this is more than just business. It’s about being part of a transformation that could inspire a new wave of entrepreneurs and innovators. 

How Plug and Play Empowers Startups Across Central Asia?

Since its inception, Plug and Play Uzbekistan has already run four startup batches, working with startups from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and beyond in sectors like EdTech, HealthTech, FinTech, EnterpriseTech, and Artificial Intelligence. The program aims to connect these startups to the Plug and Play global network while fostering growth in Uzbekistan's startup ecosystem.

Plug and Play is also actively engaged in initiatives that foster innovation and support the startup ecosystem in Uzbekistan. On the investment side, Plug and Play has backed promising Uzbek startups like Zip24, Zypl.ai, and Point AI. Globally, Plug and Play Ventures invest in more than 200 startups annually. Currently, the Plug and Play portfolio features 34 unicorn startups. In the fall of 2024, Plug and Play Uzbekistan co-hosted the Startup & Venture Summit with IT Park during ICT Week 2024 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s most significant annual tech event. 

Furthermore, the Plug and Play FoundHER network empowers female entrepreneurs across Central Asia by equipping them with the tools, skills, and connections needed to succeed in the global economy. One of the success stories is Realt24, a pioneering Uzbek startup – an AI-driven real estate marketplace, matching clients with tailored property and mortgage options and connecting banks and developers with pre-qualified leads. In 2023, Helen Andreeva, the founder of Realt24, joined the Plug and Play FoundHER program, ending with an Innovation Trip to Silicon Valley and training at Plug and Play Tech Center’s HQ. In 2024, the startup made it to the Global Stage of the Entrepreneurship World Cup, ranking in the TOP 250 out of over 15,000 startups from 200 countries! In collaboration with the World Bank, Plug and Play also contributes to the modernization of Uzbekistan’s national innovation system through the MUNIS project. 

In December 2024, Digital Startups Week coincided with the President Tech Award Competition and the offline module of Plug and Play Accelerator Program Batch 3. The President Tech Award, supported by the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan and IT Park Uzbekistan with Plug and Play as a partner, celebrates groundbreaking software innovations in categories such as AI Tech, Social Tech, GameTech, Micro-SaaS & AdTech, and FinTech. This year’s competition attracted 3,458 participants and 538 teams. For the first time, the competition introduced a new category, “Technological Solutions in the Micro-SaaS and AdTech Sectors”, which attracted the participation of 31 teams. 

The competition comprised five stages, including mentorship sessions, pitch polish workshops, and a Demo Day, culminating in distributing a $900,000 prize fund among the 15 best teams across five categories. An additional $100,000 was awarded to the team “Lorem Ipsum” for their project “Focuscore AI” during a special hackathon. Plug and Play, a key partner in the event, brought in international experts from corporate innovation, venture capital, and other fields to mentor the contestants and select the winners.

“Uzbekistan is at an exciting stage in its journey to being a regional innovation hub, and we’re proud to be part of it. The talent and potential here are incredible, and we’re not just supporting startups –we’re building an ecosystem that drives economic growth, creates opportunities, and puts Central Asia on the global innovation map. From empowering startups to supporting women entrepreneurs, our work in Uzbekistan is just the beginning. Together with our partners and the local startup community, we’re creating a foundation for a future where innovation thrives across borders”, Alfredo Gomez Soria, Senior Corporate Partnerships at Plug and Play, noted.

What’s Next for Plug and Play Uzbekistan?

Plug and Play is looking to work with IT Park on supporting startups in Central Eurasia through various future initiatives. Some ideas include creating programs to help startups prepare for global competitions and organizing pitching sessions for startups from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and other nearby countries to connect them with international investors. There’s also interest in helping outsourcing companies set up in Uzbekistan and exploring options like tax incentives for IT businesses.

On the education side, Plug and Play hopes to support visits to Europe and partnerships with U.S. universities to create exchange programs. They also aim to connect Uzbek startups with global corporations and VC funds and encourage European companies to open offices in Uzbekistan to take advantage of outsourcing opportunities and boost exports.

Plug and Play is delivering training programs to give startups key business and sales skills to help them scale and grow. Another idea is organizing business trips to the EU, especially for women-led startups in Central Asia.

FinTech, Healthcare, and GameTech are booming, and Plug and Play is thrilled to keep driving innovation, turning Uzbekistan into a key startup hub for Central Asia.

Aziza Alimova, UzA