Pitch & Rise: Women on the startup stage — investing in the economy of the future

The Ministry of Digital Technologies hosted an open event titled “Pitch & Rise: Women on the dtartup stage”, which brought together around 70 active participants from across the country. The initiative, organized by Startup Garage in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Technologies, with the support of IT Park Uzbekistan, the Association of IT Education, and the GAP project, aimed to foster women’s involvement in the startup ecosystem, unlock their innovation potential, and strengthen their role in the country’s digital economy. 

During the event, participants engaged in hands-on pitching workshops, received mentoring from leading industry experts, and presented their startup ideas. A total of 11 projects were presented, with the jury recognizing three as the most promising: Fonus, a digital platform offering safe and educational video content for children, based on national values and a pedagogical approach; La Menu, a service for discovering restaurants according to user preferences, featuring options for online table booking and advance ordering; Btle, a next-generation tourism platform that offers unique routes, AI-generated programs, multilingual support, an intuitive interface for providers, and a secure online payment system with real-time income tracking.

The event included workshops on pitching, and 11 women presented their startup concepts on stage. The top three projects — Btle, Fonus, and La Menu — were awarded by Kamola Sobirova, Advisor to the Minister of Digital Technologies on youth and women’s engagement in IT, and Elyor Maksudov, Startup and Investment Development Director at IT Park Uzbekistan.

The participants’ achievements and innovative ideas served as clear evidence that women’s inclusion is not merely a step toward social justice, but a strategic pillar for sustainable economic growth. This message was echoed by the event’s guest speakers: Azizbek Kurbanov, Founder and CEO of AK Capital; Barnokhon Artikhojaeva, mentor of the UN program on digital economy and startup initiatives; and Ilkhomjon Aliev, Deputy Director of UEnter. According to them, female entrepreneurship in the technology sector contributes to the diversification of the business environment, while enhancing economic resilience and innovation.  

In 2025, Uzbekistan was ranked for the first time among the top 100 countries with the most developed startup ecosystems, according to the international StartupBlink index. Placing 98th globally, Uzbekistan was also recognized as the fastest-growing startup ecosystem in Central Asia. This milestone reflects the outcomes of comprehensive reforms implemented under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and supported by the Ministry of Digital Technologies, IT Park, and international partners.

However, sustaining this momentum will require ensuring gender balance and providing consistent support to women in the innovation sector. Modern research confirms that women’s involvement in entrepreneurship yields significant economic benefits. According to a report by Gusto, published in Business Insider, May 2025, women founded nearly 49% of all new businesses in 2024 — a record-breaking figure that represents a 69% increase compared to 2019. While female-led teams demonstrate stronger operational resilience — generating higher revenues with fewer resources — they continue to face substantial barriers in securing investment. Women are 75% less likely to secure venture funding compared to their male counterparts, and are often forced to rely on personal savings or debt to launch their businesses (Business Insider, 2025). In this context, the ability to clearly and convincingly present one’s ideas becomes essential — which is precisely the goal of the Pitch & Rise event.      

“Digital transformation requires the participation of all talent, regardless of gender. Today, success in the digital economy is determined by knowledge, initiative, and adaptability. An increasing number of women in Uzbekistan are demonstrating strong potential in this field, and the government is committed to providing them with the necessary support and opportunities,” stated Kamola Sobirova, Advisor to the Minister of Digital Technologies.   

Among the key government-led initiatives supporting this agenda is the GAP Women IT Club — a platform designed to empower women in the field of information technology through regular events, training sessions, and mentorship opportunities. The club operates not only in Tashkent, but also in the regions, enabling girls and young women from across the country to acquire new skills, exchange experiences, and present their ideas. Several of the participants from the regions, having acquired foundational knowledge through the club, took the stage for the first time during Pitch & Rise.  

Uzbekistani women are also increasingly making their mark on the global stage — participating in international forums and competitions such as the Women in Tech Global Summit, Technovation Girls, TechWomen, and by reaching the finals of prestigious hackathons and Olympiads. For example, schoolgirls from Tashkent were among the prize-winners at the European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics (EGOI) held in Bonn, Germany. These developments affirm that supporting women in the startup ecosystem is not a one-off initiative, but an integral part of Uzbekistan’s long-term digital development strategy. The foundations for strategic growth have already been laid, and it is vital to maintain this momentum — through accelerators, grant programs, infrastructure development, and the formation of strong mentorship communities. As one of the event’s participants noted: “Technology is not about gender. It is about ideas, ambition, and talent — and the women of Uzbekistan possess all of that in abundance.”