Turkmenistan has hosted another semifinal of the Digital Startup Awards (DSA) — an international initiative aimed at supporting the regional startup ecosystem and identifying promising early-stage teams across Central Asia, Caucasus and Mongolia. The event brought together founders, investors, and members of the local business community, marking another step toward the Grand Final scheduled to take place this December in Tashkent.

 

 

A total of 12 startups presented their projects to the expert jury, showcasing solutions across various sectors. Following the pitch sessions, two finalists were selected — Bezen and E-mekdep — who will advance to the Grand Final of the Digital Startup Awards.

 

 

The jury panel included representatives of Turkmenistan’s entrepreneurial and investment community:

— Haknazar Babagulyyev, Founder & CEO of BerkTor, Co-founder and Financial Director of Ak Sahypa, member of the Business Angels Club

— Sheker Saparova, Founder & CEO of BegYupek, member of the Business Angels Club

— Perhat Niyazklychev, Marketing Director at Simmurg Group and online marketplace Gerekli, member of the Business Angels Club

— Roman Soyunov, Co-founder of a Russian-Israeli investment fund

 

 

The semifinal in Turkmenistan is part of the broader Digital Startup Awards series held across Central Asia, Caucasus and Mongolia, designed to strengthen cross-border cooperation, support innovative founders, and contribute to the long-term growth of the regional startup ecosystem. Finalists from all participating countries will gather at the Grand Final in Tashkent, where the winner of the program will be announced.