Abdulakhad Kuchkarov, CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan, held a meeting with the delegation of StartupBlink, which included Katrin Calledo, Chief of Staff for Ecosystem Development, and Ebrar Sunor, Startup Ecosystem Activation Manager. The discussions focused on priority areas of cooperation and the subsequent steps to further strengthen the startup ecosystem.
StartupBlink is a leading global provider of analytics on startups and ecosystems. The organization combines a crowdsourcing platform with comprehensive research reports and partnerships with government institutions to enhance visibility, conduct comparative analysis, and promote innovation hubs worldwide.
On May 20, 2025, StartupBlink presented the updated Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025 — the most extensive analysis of the global startup economy to date. The report includes rankings of 1,400 cities and 110 countries, identifying the leaders of the innovation economy. The index was developed in collaboration with prominent global data partners such as Crunchbase, Semrush, and more than 100 government institutions.
In 2025, Uzbekistan entered the global ranking of the top 100 startup ecosystems for the first time, taking 98th place and demonstrating record growth of 132% — the highest rate in Central Asia and the second highest globally. This accomplishment reinforced the country’s standing as the fastest-growing startup hub in the region. Tashkent, in particular, emerged as the most dynamically developing city in Central Asia, achieving similar growth and ranking 350th in the global top 400.
During the meeting, the parties discussed expanding the functionality of Uzbekistan’s corporate startup ecosystem portal on the StartupBlink platform, incorporating dedicated sections for programs, news, a startup database, and baseline analytics. Plans also include additional customization aligned with national objectives, as well as the preparation of a comprehensive content package for public release.
It was agreed to update statistical data and integrate insights derived from B2B meetings, as well as from visits to local incubation and acceleration centers, universities, and venture capital funds. The findings emphasized that startups require not only investment but also mentorship, infrastructure, and access to acceleration programs.
In conclusion, the parties reached an understanding on the next steps, which include the preparation and publication of analytical materials, the public launch of the updated portal, and the development of a joint roadmap for future initiatives.
Collaboration with global organizations such as StartupBlink significantly enhances Uzbekistan’s international profile as a country with growing startup potential. The updated portal, analytical reports, and programs aimed at entering foreign markets will serve as vital instruments in promoting the national startup ecosystem on the global stage.
