Uzbekistan and Founder Institute agreed on strategic cooperation to develop entrepreneurship and the startup ecosystem

A delegation from the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, headed by Minister Sherzod Shermatov, together with representatives of IT Park Uzbekistan led by CEO Abdulakhad Kuchkarov, is on a working visit to the United States.

As part of the visit, the delegation held a meeting with the leadership of the Founder Institute (FI) — the world’s largest pre-accelerator for startups, headquartered in Silicon Valley. The Founder Institute was represented by Guc Ozenci, Managing Director of FI Washington DC.

Development of the startup ecosystem and entrepreneurial skills

During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for collaboration in the fields of entrepreneurial education, startup pre-acceleration, and capacity building for young specialists.

The Founder Institute’s educational programs are planned to be adapted to meet local market needs and implemented within IT Park startup studios and university incubators. This initiative is expected to enhance entrepreneurial skills among aspiring founders, support early-stage startups, and foster the development of a resilient national innovation ecosystem.

Training of trainers and establishment of a local office in Uzbekistan

The parties also explored the launch of a Training of Trainers program, aimed at preparing certified instructors to conduct Founder Institute programs in all regions of Uzbekistan. This initiative will ensure the scalability and long-term sustainability of entrepreneurship education initiatives nationwide.

Furthermore, the parties discussed plans to establish a Founder Institute office in Tashkent, which may obtain the status of a member company of IT Park Uzbekistan. The office will serve as a coordination center for joint projects, cooperation with universities and startups, and the promotion of international acceleration programs throughout Central Asia.

Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding

Following the discussions, IT Park Uzbekistan and the Founder Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding, formalizing their commitment to launching joint educational, mentorship, and pre-acceleration programs.

Under the agreement, the parties will jointly organize workshops, mentorship sessions, demo days, and other events aimed at supporting emerging entrepreneurs and promoting a culture of innovation in Uzbekistan.

Entrepreneur DNA Assessment — a tool for aspiring founders

Within the framework of the signed memorandum, the Founder Institute granted IT Park Uzbekistan access to its proprietary Entrepreneur DNA Assessment — a diagnostic tool for identifying entrepreneurial potential.

The assessment analyzes approximately 25 key personality traits, including collaboration, persistence, proactivity, and problem-solving ability. It is based on extensive data from thousands of applications and hundreds of successful startups, supported by statistically validated correlations between personality attributes and entrepreneurial success.

Upon completion, participants receive personalized recommendations for developing leadership and entrepreneurial competencies, as well as insights into their strengths and growth areas before launching their own startups.

About the Founder Institute

Established in 2009 in Palo Alto, USA, the Founder Institute is the world’s largest platform supporting early-stage entrepreneurs. Its programs currently operate in more than 200 cities across 100 countries. To date, the institute’s alumni have launched over 8,000 startups, raised approximately $2 billion in investment, and achieved a combined valuation exceeding $20 billion.

The partnership with the Founder Institute will enable Uzbekistan to strengthen international cooperation, advance innovation, and develop a new generation of technology entrepreneurs.