As part of an official visit to the United States, the delegation from IT Park Uzbekistan, led by CEO Abdulakhad Kuchkarov and Azamat Karamatov, Director of the IT Park Ventures venture fund, held a series of strategically significant meetings with key representatives of the global innovation ecosystem — including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the accelerator MassChallenge, the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), international consulting group 2080 Ventures, Kanda Software, and 100 Open Startups.
Engagements with Experts
A key highlight of the visit was the meeting with Dr. Mohamed Aburawi, representative of the Legatum Center at MIT and the MIT Sloan School of Management, and founder of several international startups. The discussion focused on opportunities for experience exchange, the organization of joint competitions, and prospects for scaling Uzbek startups with MIT’s support.
Particular emphasis was also placed on engagement with Dr. Jinane Abounadi, Executive Director of the MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund Program — an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology aimed at supporting student-led startups. The program assists over 1,000 students annually in transforming their ideas into viable business ventures by providing seed funding, access to a mentor network, and integration into a robust expert ecosystem.
Discussions addressed potential cooperation between MIT Sandbox and IT Park Uzbekistan, including the participation of Uzbek teams in MIT programs, the promotion of Uzbekistan as a new destination for technology entrepreneurship, and experience exchange in integrating academic and corporate initiatives into an innovation infrastructure.
Additionally, during discussions with Andrea Kates, resident of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center and former CEO and investor in Silicon Valley’s technology sector, the parties outlined plans to launch joint programs focused on innovation adoption within Uzbekistan’s public and private sectors. Proposed initiatives include training leaders in agile strategies, piloting digital transformation projects, providing mentorship, and conducting startup diagnostics.
MassChallenge
IT Park also advanced its startup acceleration agenda by establishing a partnership with MassChallenge, one of the world’s most prominent startup accelerators. Discussions covered the participation of Uzbek startups in global programs, access to venture capital, and plans to invite representatives of MassChallenge to major events in Uzbekistan in 2025.
Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC)
The experience of the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) — a renowned operator of innovation spaces whose alumni include global giants such as Android and HubSpot — attracted significant interest. Discussions centered on the introduction of the Venture Café model in Uzbekistan, the organization of regular meetups with international experts, and the establishment of flexible workspaces for startups.
2080 Ventures
A memorandum signed with 2080 Ventures marks a critical milestone in facilitating the global expansion of Uzbek startups. The agreement outlines plans to launch a cross-border accelerator, prepare startups for admission to top-tier programs such as Y Combinator and Techstars, and strategically connect them with global corporations.
Kanda Software
The visit concluded with discussions with American company Kanda Software regarding the potential opening of a representative office in Uzbekistan. As a provider of software solutions for Fortune 500 clients, Kanda Software expressed interest in the tax incentives and the availability of qualified professionals through IT Park.
100 Open Startups
As part of the international initiative to develop Uzbekistan’s startup ecosystem, the delegation met with Bruno Rondani, Founder and CEO of 100 Open Startups, the largest open innovation platform in Latin America. The parties agreed to provide Uzbek startups with access to the platform’s corporate network, explore their participation in the annual session of 100 Open Startups in Brazil, and consider organizing a similar event in Uzbekistan.
Towards Global Success: Uzbekistan as Part of the Global Innovation Network
The outcomes of the visit reaffirm IT Park Uzbekistan’s commitment to integrating into the global innovation economy. From attracting international expertise and investment to creating new opportunities for startups, each step contributes to the development of a sustainable, competitive, and open ecosystem. Strategic partnerships with organizations such as MIT, MassChallenge, CIC, and 2080 Ventures are accelerating the transformation of Uzbekistan’s business landscape and positioning the country as a regional leader in technology and entrepreneurship.
