A delegation from IT Park Uzbekistan and IT Park Ventures took part in TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco — one of the world’s most significant events in the field of technology and innovation. During the visit, representatives of IT Park held a series of strategic meetings with international venture capital funds, accelerators, and technology platforms. The objective of the visit was to deepen cooperation, develop Uzbekistan’s startup ecosystem, and attract international partners to operate in the country’s technology market.
The IT Park Uzbekistan delegation was led by Jamila Khalibaeva, Global Marketing Director. Representatives of the IT Park Ventures venture fund also participated in the event.
TechCrunch Disrupt is an annual international conference that gathers key players of the technology industry, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, project presentations, and international collaboration.
As part of TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, the delegation of IT Park Uzbekistan held a meeting with Michael J. Shick, Startup Battlefield Operations Manager and Event Coordinator at TechCrunch, and Damian Benstead, Global Partnership Manager of the company. The parties discussed the possibility of hosting one of TechCrunch Disrupt’s flagship events in Uzbekistan. The event is envisioned to bring together investors, accelerators, representatives of startup ecosystems, technology companies, and media from the United States and Europe, thereby marking an important milestone in integrating Uzbekistan’s IT sector into the global technology ecosystem.
The parties also agreed on the publication of articles and materials about Uzbekistan’s startup ecosystem on the TechCrunch platform, as well as on the participation of TechCrunch representatives in ICT Week Uzbekistan. Given TechCrunch’s status as one of the world’s leading media and event platforms, this collaboration will significantly enhance Uzbekistan’s visibility on the global innovation map.
TechCrunch is a leading international media and event platform dedicated to covering innovation, technology, and venture capital. Its annual TechCrunch Disrupt conference is recognized as one of the most influential global stages for startups and investors, while its Startup Battlefield competition has launched hundreds of successful technology companies worldwide.
During the visit, a meeting was held with David Brehm, investor at Güil Mobility Ventures, a venture fund specializing in technological startups. The discussion focused on prospects for joint investments between Güil Mobility Ventures and IT Park Ventures, as well as on the integration of the fund’s portfolio company solutions in Uzbekistan — particularly in the aviation and airport infrastructure sectors. The parties also discussed the participation of Güil Mobility Ventures representatives in ICT Week Uzbekistan, aimed at gaining deeper insights into Uzbekistan’s innovation ecosystem and exploring potential partnership opportunities.
Güil Mobility Ventures is a venture investment fund supporting early-stage startups in the areas of technology, sustainability, and digital transformation. The company actively collaborates with global accelerators and corporate partners, assisting startups expand into international markets.
The delegation of IT Park Uzbekistan also met with Jeff Wallace and Kal Deutsch, founders of the Silicon Valley in Your Pocket platform, which connects mentors and investors from Silicon Valley. Discussions focused on launching a joint Investor Readiness program for Uzbek startups to help them prepare for engagement with international investors and successful entry into foreign markets. Additionally, the parties explored the potential implementation of an intensive incubation and acceleration program involving experts and mentors from the United States. The program would support Uzbek entrepreneurs through the soft-landing phase, helping them adapt to and establish operations in the U.S. market.
Silicon Valley in Your Pocket is an international acceleration program founded in the United States. The platform brings together entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors, offering access to online learning, personalized consulting, and investment opportunities for startups worldwide.
One of the key meetings held by the IT Park Uzbekistan delegation during TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 was with James Ji, Director of Global Sales and Head of the Silicon Valley Chapter of Startup Grind, the world’s largest community of founders and investors.
During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for strategic partnership aimed at strengthening international cooperation between the startup ecosystems of Uzbekistan and Silicon Valley. Particular emphasis was placed on the possibility of organizing Startup Grind Local events in Tashkent, which would allow Uzbek startups to directly engage with entrepreneurs, investors, and experts from the United States and other countries.
Furthermore, IT Park Ventures and Startup Grind outlined plans for content exchange and participation of Uzbek startups in global community programs, creating new opportunities for business scaling and investment attraction.
Startup Grind is a global entrepreneurial community uniting over 5 million members across 600 cities worldwide. The organization regularly hosts events, conferences, and training programs aimed at supporting startups and promoting innovative entrepreneurship.
As part of the visit, a meeting was held with Aaron Horowitz and Trevor Long, founders of CapConnect Solutions, during which the parties discussed opportunities for attracting U.S. companies and investors to Uzbekistan, as well as supporting member companies of IT Park Uzbekistan in entering the American market.
CapConnect Solutions is a U.S.-based company specializing in financial and advisory solutions for startups and scaling enterprises. The firm assists entrepreneurs in raising investments, structuring transactions, and establishing partnerships with venture capital funds. CapConnect Solutions actively collaborates with technology companies, supporting their global expansion and entry into new markets.
The IT Park delegation also met with Alexander Ravski, a lawyer and venture capital expert from Nebo Legal, a law firm based in Silicon Valley.
The parties discussed the establishment of a joint Business Angel School in partnership with IT Park Ventures and the Silkroad Angel’s Club. The program will focus on training investors and entrepreneurs in venture investment principles, project evaluation, and portfolio management.
The parties also agreed to engage Alexander Ravski as an expert and mentor for upcoming educational initiatives.
Nebo Legal is a Silicon Valley-based law firm specializing in legal support for startups, investors, and venture capital funds. The company provides consulting in corporate and investment law, assists in deal structuring, and supports the development of international projects.
These meetings formed a key component of IT Park Uzbekistan’s participation in TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 and laid the foundation for long-term partnerships with leading representatives of the U.S. venture capital industry and startup ecosystem. The agreements reached will create new opportunities for international cooperation, knowledge exchange, joint investment, and global support for Uzbek startups, further consolidating Uzbekistan’s position as an emerging technological hub in Central Asia.
In addition to meetings, IT Park Uzbekistan and IT Park Ventures presented their own exhibition booths at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco, where attendees could explore Uzbekistan’s initiatives in technological entrepreneurship, investment infrastructure, and international cooperation.
IT Park Uzbekistan booth presented initiatives aimed at expanding international partnerships and promoting Uzbek IT companies in foreign markets.
During the event, meetings were held with representatives of ONE PRIME CAPITAL, Pitchjams, FRESYES Realty Group, EAI Investments, Steppe AI Inc., and Tomas Klausing, during which the parties discussed potential avenues for partnership, investment attraction, and participation of international companies in IT Park Uzbekistan’s projects.
The exhibition facilitated the establishment of new connections with venture funds, startups, and technology companies, further strengthening Uzbekistan’s reputation as one of Central Asia’s emerging innovation centers.
As part of TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, the Central Eurasian Founders & Community Meet-up was held in Palo Alto, organized by the Silkroad Innovation Hub in partnership with IT Park Uzbekistan, IT Park Ventures, Astana Hub, and Astana Hub Ventures.
The event gathered over 300 participants, including representatives of international venture funds, accelerators, technology companies, startup founders, and members of the Central Eurasian diaspora employed in major global corporations and innovation institutions.
Opening remarks were delivered by Jamila Khalibaeva, Global Marketing Director of IT Park Uzbekistan, Asset Abdualiyev, Founder and CEO of Silkroad Innovation Hub, and Aidana Bergazdenova, Director of Astana Hub Ventures, who highlighted the importance of building stronger ties between Central Eurasia and Silicon Valley.
During the program, representatives of IT Park Uzbekistan presented an overview of the organization’s activities and its venture division, outlining its strategic development priorities, key investment directions, and international startup support programs.
The event also featured Christie Kanida, Partner at Alchemist Accelerator, who presented the AlchemistX program — an acceleration initiative involving startups from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Over a four-month period, participating teams operate in Silicon Valley, developing their projects under the mentorship of Alchemist experts and specialists from leading global technology firms.
The meet-up served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and networking between the innovation ecosystems of Central Eurasia and the United States. As a result, new connections were established with investors and accelerators, joint investment projects were initiated, and collaborative initiatives were launched to attract international partners to Uzbekistan.
The Central Eurasian Founders & Community Meet-up reaffirmed the growing role of the region on the global technology map and became an important step in strengthening cooperation between the startup ecosystems of Central Asia and Silicon Valley.
Participation in TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 and the meetings conducted during the event reaffirmed IT Park Uzbekistan’s commitment to positioning the country as one of the regional leaders in innovation-driven development. The agreements reached with venture capital funds, accelerators, and international partners have created new opportunities for scaling startups, attracting investments, and facilitating technology transfer. These initiatives strengthen Uzbekistan’s status as a rapidly growing hub of technological entrepreneurship in Central Asia and contribute to its integration into the global innovation ecosystem.
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