Digital Startup Awards (DSA) — a regional initiative designed to empower emerging entrepreneurs across Central Asia and beyond — has officially launched its competition phase. The program integrates incubation, acceleration, and competition tracks, giving founders a full journey from idea validation to international exposure.

 

Mongolia became the first country to host the Best Startup Project semifinal — a key stage of DSA that gathers the most promising early-stage founders to pitch their solutions and secure a place in the Grand Finale.

 

The event brought together 16 participants who pitched innovative projects to an expert jury representing government, investment, and corporate sectors. After presentations and discussions, two standout startups — UWISH and EGUNE — were selected as the winners of the Mongolian semifinal. 

 

About startups:

UWISH - lets travelers plan trips effortlessly with authentic itineraries and tips from trusted local experts and travel creators.

 

EGUNE - strategic national initiative in Mongolia focused on building its own sovereign AI ecosystem.

 

These teams will now advance to the Grand Finale in Tashkent, where national winners from all participating countries will compete for a $100,000 prize fund. 

 

The semifinal jury featured leading figures from Mongolia’s innovation and startup ecosystem, including:

 

M. Shurentsetseg, Head of Investment and Project Department, National Information Technology Park

J. Bat-Ireedui, CEO, Gund Investment LLC

A. Yadamsuren, Head of Startup Development and Ecosystem Department, Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications of Mongolia (MDDIC)

Z. Uyanga, Happiness Director, Premium Corporation

 

Their combined expertise ensured a fair and insightful evaluation process, helping identify the teams best prepared to scale their ideas regionally and globally.

 

The Digital Startup Awards (DSA) continues to expand across the region, with upcoming semifinals in several countries before the Grand Finale in Tashkent this December.

 

This milestone marks not only a celebration of innovation in Mongolia but also a significant step in building a stronger regional startup ecosystem across Central Asia.