Uzbekistan’s startups to access global markets through cooperation with GSA

Representatives of IT Park Uzbekistan, led by CEO Abdulakhad Kuchkarov, held a meeting with Kim Balle, Founder of Global Startup Awards (GSA) and X.O. Group. During the meeting, the parties signed a memorandum of cooperation and discussed the possibility of hosting international and regional startup award ceremonies in Uzbekistan, as well as promoting Uzbek projects through the GSA’s global network.

Global Startup Awards (GSA) is the world’s largest independent startup award platform, covering over 154 countries. Founded in 2012 in Copenhagen, GSA identifies and recognizes key ecosystem players — from startups to investors, accelerators, and incubators. Its flagship initiatives include the Nordic Startup Awards, Central European Startup Awards, ASEAN Startup Awards, and GSA Africa. GSA serves as a platform for attracting talent and capital, as well as fostering international cooperation. To date, sixteen unicorn startups have taken part in GSA.

The operational management of GSA is carried out through X.O. Group, a division responsible for implementing acceleration programs, developing ecosystem strategies, and collaborating with government agencies across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the MENA region.

Abdulakhad Kuchkarov and Kim Balle signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining opportunities for collaboration in organizing regional and international startup award ceremonies in Uzbekistan, as well as integrating local startups into the GSA global network. Particular emphasis was placed on positioning Uzbekistan as one of the key innovation hubs in the Eurasian region.

The parties reached an agreement to hold Global Startup Awards this autumn as part of the upcoming ICT Week in Uzbekistan.

IT Park Uzbekistan remains committed to supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening the national startup ecosystem, creating new employment opportunities, and reinforcing Uzbekistan’s standing as a global IT hub. Such projects offer new avenues for international collaboration and the advancement of local innovations on the global stage.