A delegation of Uzbekistan’s leading tech startups completed a productive week-long engagement in Silicon Valley and San Francisco from October 24-31, 2024. Organized by the USAID Business Support Project in partnership with IT Park Uzbekistan and Silk Road Innovation Hub, the program offered Uzbek startups an invaluable opportunity to participate in the esteemed TechCrunch Disrupt conference. They also attended the Central Eurasia Silicon Valley conference, an event dedicated to connecting tech leaders, startup founders, investors, and key ecosystem builders from Central Eurasia and Silicon Valley. Held at the iconic Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the conference showcased Central Eurasia’s dynamic innovation and entrepreneurship, providing a rich networking environment with industry leaders and venture capitalists.
Throughout the week, the Uzbek delegation participated in targeted workshops, company visits, and networking events, gaining firsthand insights into Silicon Valley’s vibrant ecosystem.
At TechCrunch Disrupt, Uzbek startups presented innovative solutions that highlight the country’s growing technology sector. The delegation included Uzum, Uzbekistan’s largest digital ecosystem offering services in e-commerce, express delivery, banking, fintech, and business development; Uzinfocom, a unified integrator providing scalable tech solutions for complex projects; BILLZ, which focuses on retail automation and SME financing solutions across Central Asia; Smartup, a cloud-based platform designed to automate and manage distribution, production, trade marketing, warehousing, and financial accounting; Call24, a partner in customer service optimization; Datagaze, a cybersecurity solution for medium and large enterprises; Point.ai, software for customer support services; and GeoMotive, a marketplace for digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising.
Additionally, USAID Business Support Project, through its’ subcontractor StrategEast, facilitated several activities for the delegation, enhancing their experience with tailored sessions and strategic visits, including the following:
The journey began with a session on digital branding and networking led by Silicon Valley expert Kate Bunina. This workshop provided the Uzbek startups with guidance on optimizing their LinkedIn profiles and adapting to Silicon Valley’s unique networking culture, helping them build a digital presence aligned with global business standards.
At Plug and Play Tech Center, one of Silicon Valley’s prominent accelerators, the delegation explored the role of accelerators in supporting international growth. They discussed the dynamics of securing venture capital and scaling in global markets, with insights into positioning Uzbek tech companies for success abroad.
The startups gained further exposure at Google’s Visitor Center, learning about the company’s focus on sustainability and community impact. This was followed by a tour of Stanford University, where Subha Rajana introduced the group to Stanford’s research and innovation ecosystem, showcasing Silicon Valley’s integration of academic and business environments.
Workshops led by product development experts Pree Kolari and Maya Bisineer focused on user-centered design and aligning products with market needs. These sessions offered Uzbek startups practical frameworks for refining their products to better meet international standards.
The delegation’s visit to Salesforce headquarters provided an inside look at cloud innovation and customer engagement practices. Following the tour, venture capitalist Jonathan Tower hosted a Q&A, offering insights on investor expectations, pitch refinement, and strategies for global expansion.
A session led by Aizada Marat covered the legal and structural foundations for business growth, highlighting steps for Uzbek startups to attract foreign investment and build a competitive edge internationally.
The program concluded with a session on R&D and long-term planning by Seth Fearey, emphasizing the importance of innovation and resilience. His talk encouraged the startups to focus on research and strategic planning as they scale in an evolving tech landscape.
TechCrunch Disrupt is one of the premier international events for the startup community, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and media from around the world each year to discuss the latest trends and innovations in technology. Known as a launchpad for emerging companies, TechCrunch Disrupt has helped many startups gain global recognition. Successful companies including Dropbox and Fitbit, for example, first showcased their innovations at the event and later achieved “unicorn” status with billion-dollar valuations.
The USAID Business Support Project, along with IT Park Uzbekistan and Silk Road Innovation Hub, is pleased to support Uzbekistan’s tech ecosystem and looks forward to future collaborations that will continue to expand Central Asia’s role in global technology innovation.
