Uzbekistan’s startup ecosystem continues to expand its international footprint as startups from Uzbekistan, joined by teams from Kazakhstan, presented their solutions at the Scale Up Program Demo Day in Dubai. The event brought together innovators and stakeholders from across the MENA region and highlighted the growing regional presence of Central Asian founders.

 

 

The Demo Day marked the conclusion of an intensive 11-week acceleration phase, where participating teams strengthened their products, worked with mentors, and prepared for GCC market entry. Held on the DIFC stage, the event provided founders with access to new partnerships, investors, and key ecosystem leaders.

 

 

"Thanks to the initiatives of Central Asian Innovation Hubs in collaboration with Astana Hub, over the past year more than 100 startups from the region have been presented at major technology events, dozens of teams have attracted funding, and projects by founders from Central Asia are systematically entering the markets of the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The participation of five Uzbek startups in Scale Up Dubai allowed them to work directly with investors and companies in MENA, understand the real demands of the market, and get closer to pilots. Today, more than 15 startups from Central Asia are already operating in the UAE. Our task is to reinforce this effect by opening new markets, strengthening international ties, and forming a unified innovation space in the region," emphasized Elyor Maksudov, Startups and investments development director.

 

 

Among the attendees were representatives from Uzbekistan, the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the UAE, Astana Hub, and leading venture funds including Oraseya Capital, Beco Capital, and MEVP — reflecting strong regional interest in Central Asian startups.

 

 

Aslan Sultanov, Managing Partner and CEO of White Hill Capital, shared: “This program demonstrated that Central Asian startups can confidently compete on a global level. Demo Day is not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter. We will continue opening opportunities for these teams across the UAE and the broader region.”

 

 

The Scale Up Program is an initiative aimed at helping Central Asian startups enter Middle Eastern markets. The first cohort took place in Saudi Arabia, with the current one held in Dubai.