An educational workshop, organized by Silkroad Angels Club in collaboration with IT Park Uzbekistan and IT Park Ventures, was successfully conducted at U-Enter. The event brought together leading investors, startup founders, and entrepreneurs, providing them with a unique opportunity to explore the dynamics of venture capital investments, startup funding strategies, as well as gain access to exclusive Silicon Valley deals.
The workshop featured training sessions led by Asset Abdualiyev, Founder and CEO of Silkroad Innovation Hub, an esteemed investor and expert in innovation and entrepreneurship, alongside Abay Absamet, Managing Partner of Silkroad Angels Club, a recognized specialist in venture investments and business consulting.
The event commenced with welcome remarks from Abdulakhad Kuchkarov, CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan, Azamat Karamatov, CEO of IT Park Ventures, and Ilkhomzhon Aliev, Deputy Director of U-Enter, who emphasized the strategic significance of such initiatives for the region’s development.
Key Themes of the Workshop
Throughout the workshop, the speakers elaborated on the core principles of venture and angel investing, encompassing startup evaluation, portfolio diversification, and scaling strategies. They provided an in-depth analysis of why venture investments constitute 41% of the total market capitalization in the United States and how seven out of ten of the country’s largest public companies secured funding from venture capital firms.
A pivotal point of discussion was the Power Law in venture investments, which demonstrates that a small fraction of investments generates the majority of returns. This principle was illustrated through the experiences of leading venture funds, such as Andreessen Horowitz and Founders Fund, which have invested in global technology giants at their earliest stages.
The speakers also identified a critical success factor of Silicon Valley — the concentration of world-renowned intellectual centers, including Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and others. These institutions not only cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets but also foster extensive professional networks, which are crucial to the growth of the startup ecosystem. To illustrate this, speakers highlighted that during the week of September 16–22, 2024, startups founded by UC Berkeley alumni raised $460 million in venture funding, further emphasizing the critical role of university environments in startup growth.
Access to Exclusive Investment Deals
The workshop further explored how investors can gain access to premier investment deals in Silicon Valley. The speakers introduced the mechanisms of angel investment clubs and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), which serve to mitigate risks while increasing ownership stakes in high-growth startups.
Silkroad Angels Club, established by Silkroad Innovation Hub, operates on the model of leading venture clubs such as Sand Hill Angels and Stanford Angels Association. It offers investors from Central Eurasia the opportunity to invest in the U.S. market through syndicates, thereby pooling resources for more substantial and impactful deals. Interested investors can join the club through Silkroad Innovation Hub.
IT Park Ventures and Its Contribution to the Development of the Venture Ecosystem
IT Park Ventures, in collaboration with Silkroad Innovation Hub, will launch a business angel school in Uzbekistan. Upon completion of the training program and based on the demonstrated interest of local business angels, a formal angel investor club and school will be established, mirroring successful models in the United States.
Further initiatives within this partnership include:
Following their participation in these programs, interested investors will be eligible to join Silkroad Angels Club.
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Venture Capital
A key topic of discussion was the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on venture capital landscape. The AI sector has attracted $249 billion in investments in recent years, creating unprecedented opportunities for scalable technology enterprises. The speakers examined how AI is revolutionizing traditional industries, including business process automation, healthcare, and financial technology, and articulated why the present moment represents an ideal time for entering this market.
About Silkroad Innovation Hub
Silkroad Innovation Hub is a community hub situated in Palo Alto, California, at the heart of Silicon Valley. As a key partner of IT Park Uzbekistan, it plays a pivotal role in advancing the startup and venture ecosystem while fostering international collaboration in technology and innovation.
In 2025, in collaboration with Silkroad Innovation Hub, IT Park Uzbekistan, and IT Park Ventures, new initiatives will be introduced to support Central Eurasian startups and IT enterprises, facilitate market entry into the United States. These programs will unlock unparalleled opportunities for Uzbek entrepreneurs on the global stage and catalyze the growth of the region’s venture ecosystem.
This workshop represents a significant milestone in the evolution of the regional investment community, yet it is merely the inception of a broader transformation. In partnership with IT Park Uzbekistan, Silkroad Innovation Hub, and IT Park Ventures, a comprehensive array of initiatives is planned to equip investors and entrepreneurs with cutting-edge investment tools, global networks, and strategic avenues for growth.
