The Open Data Challenge 2025 Hackathon successfully concluded at New Uzbekistan University. Organized with the support of IT Park, the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, and UzStat, the event attracted over 600 registrants, from which 155 participants were carefully selected to develop innovative solutions leveraging open data.
“Do not fear experimentation”
In his opening remarks, Hasan Shakirov, Vice-Rector for Finance at New Uzbekistan University, underscored the critical role of innovation in driving the nation’s development.
Akrom Sultanov, Director of the Open Data Portal Monitoring at UzStat, highlighted the importance of open data in fostering sustainable digital solutions.
Cooper Sainsbury, a representative of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, emphasized that open data not only drives innovation but also contributes to improving the quality of life for citizens.
Judging Panel
Out of 65 teams, 22 advanced to the semifinals, with only 8 teams reaching the final stage.
The panel of judges comprised esteemed experts from organizations such as UzStat, GDG, Uzcard VC, and AloqaVentures, as well as representatives from the anti-corruption sector. Projects were assessed based on the following criteria:
- Innovation,
- Practical value,
- Utilization of open data,
- Sustainability of the proposed solutions.
Winners
First place was awarded to the Restarted Ducks team for their development of a groundbreaking platform designed to analyze tenders from the open data platform etender.uzex.uz. The platform employs advanced algorithms and data analysis techniques to detect irregularities, ensure transparency, and identify suspicious activities within public procurement processes.
Second place went to Jamila Assistant, a startup leveraging artificial intelligence to support individuals with disabilities. Through voice-controlled features for messaging, internet searches, and operating system navigation, the project enables hands-free computer use.
Third place was secured by Raccoons AI, which introduced a solution for real-time big data analysis utilizing open data. Their chatbot provides users with precise answers to questions related to the Constitution, business, and traffic regulations.
At the awards ceremony, Azamat Karamatov, Director of IT Park Ventures, and Shakhzod Narzullaev, Head of the Startup Ecosystem Development Department, commended the participants and emphasized the significance of such initiatives in fostering an innovative ecosystem in Uzbekistan.
The Open Data Challenge 2025 Hackathon was a remarkable milestone for the nation’s startup landscape, demonstrating how the utilization of open data can serve as the foundation for creating successful and sustainable technological solutions.