Creative Incubator Final: Tashkent Celebrates Leading Creative Entrepreneurs
IT Park Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the Art and Culture Development Foundation of Uzbekistan and Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT), hosted the concluding Demo Day of the Creative Incubator — a platform designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs in the creative economy across the nation.
Out of 79 applications, 16 teams were selected to participate in the incubator, with 9 presenting their final pitches.
The Creative Incubator program encompassed expert mentorship, workshops, visits to industry-specific companies, and a curated session with international expert Sara Raza. Topics covered included legal aspects, fundraising, technology integration, and product development.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Elmurad Najimov, First Deputy Chairman of the Art and Culture Development Foundation:
“The Creative Incubator is a space where imagination transforms into practice. The adoption of the Law on the Creative Economy and the hosting of the 4th World Conference on Creative Economy in Uzbekistan are significant milestones, affirming that creativity is not only a form of cultural expression but also a crucial factor in the country’s sustainable development.”
Dr. Bakhrom Mirkasimov, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at WIUT, discussed the university’s efforts to implement project-based and interdisciplinary approaches in education and to integrate students into real-world industries.
Jamila Khalibaeva, Marketing Director at IT Park Uzbekistan, noted:
“Cross-sector collaboration is the foundation for the development of the creative economy. Initiatives like the Creative Incubator help build bridges between talent, technology, and entrepreneurship. We are witnessing solutions emerge on this platform that combine cultural heritage with modern business tools.”
Participants were then shown a video highlighting the journey of the incubator’s residents, followed by a presentation by Yuliya Paramonova — one of the project leaders and a lecturer in the MA in Creative Industries Management program at WIUT. She emphasized that the launch of the incubator was motivated by the need for practical platforms capable of connecting young creatives with mentors and the industry, especially amid the growing interest in the creative economy in the country.
The expert jury comprised leaders from the startup and creative sectors:
- Orian-Mehroj Rashidov — CEO of the Youth Entrepreneurship Support Center and Director of Unicorns Venture Fund
- Dalerkhon Nodirov — Deputy Director for Investments at IT Park Ventures
- Shakhzod Umirzakov — Co-founder and CEO of TASS VISION, Vice-Chairman of the AI Advisory Council
- Nigora Akilova — Founder and CEO of Beautify.uz
- Farrukh Maksumov — CEO of C-Space Startup Center
- Akmal Salikhov — Business Development Director at East Games
Demo Day Winners
First Place: Almanac — a digital platform for mastering traditional calligraphy through courses, online content, and community engagement. The project integrates heritage with modern educational approaches. The winners received 30 million UZS for project development.
Second Place: Tezhip.uz — an educational platform dedicated to Turkic-Islamic decorative art, offering online and offline courses and workshops for a broad age range. The team was awarded 20 million UZS.
Third Place: Creatives.uz — a platform connecting designers, illustrators, and creative professionals with companies seeking branding and content services. The team received 10 million UZS.
Such initiatives are shaping a new ecosystem where the creative capabilities of youth becomes the foundation for sustainable development. IT Park Uzbekistan will continue to support platforms that integrate innovation, culture, and entrepreneurship, unlocking the global potential of Uzbek talents.