La French Tech, Voodoo, and STATION F: New Avenues for Cooperation with Uzbekistan

The main topics on the first day included expanding international opportunities for Uzbek startups, developing the GameDev industry, launching joint programs, and strengthening ties between the tech ecosystems of Uzbekistan and France.

La French Tech: New Opportunities for Startup Exchange

At a meeting with Julie Huguet, Director of La French Tech, the parties discussed the potential expansion of the French startup ecosystem's presence in Uzbekistan. 

Particular attention was given to the participation of French startups in IT Park Uzbekistan's "Soft Landing" and "Land of Startups" programs, as well as the possible involvement of La French Tech in ICT WEEK Uzbekistan.

This cooperation could create additional opportunities for direct interaction between startups, investors, and development institutions in both countries.

Voodoo: Supporting GameDev Teams from Uzbekistan

During a visit to the French company Voodoo, the parties considered adapting its venture studio and publishing model to work with GameDev teams from Uzbekistan.

This format would allow developers to create and scale their game products directly from Uzbekistan, without needing to relocate, while gaining access to international expertise in game development, publishing, and monetization. 

The possibility of launching a "Prototype-to-Scale" educational track was also discussed, which would help teams navigate the journey from an initial prototype to a commercially viable product.

Another area of focus was organizing joint GameDev events in Uzbekistan—such as forums, competitions, and demo days—with the expertise and mentorship of Voodoo.

Representing the company in the negotiations was Yuri Kotikov, Head of Eastern Europe at Voodoo, who was born and raised in Uzbekistan and maintains connections with the local GameDev community.

STATION F: Helping Uzbek Startups Enter the European Market

At STATION F, the delegation met with Joanna Gruau Buldón, Head of International Partnerships.

The parties discussed the possibility of creating a special acceleration or soft-landing program for Uzbek startups in Europe, as well as their participation in relevant STATION F programs in 2027.

Special attention was paid to sharing experience in developing startup studios, and incubation and acceleration programs. The delegation also learned about STATION F's infrastructure and its approaches to working with startups, investors, and international technology companies.

Following the first day of the visit, key directions for further collaboration with the three major players in the French tech ecosystem were identified. These include the international scaling of startups, GameDev development, joint educational and acceleration initiatives, and expanding the presence of Uzbek tech companies in the European market.