On April 3, 2026, Tashkent will become more than just a historic crossroads of the Silk Road.
For one day, it will turn into the financial and technological nerve center of Central Eurasia. The Central Eurasian Venture Forum (CEVF) 2026 is arriving in Uzbekistan for the first time — and the region’s investors, founders, and capital allocators are already watching closely, DKNews.kz reports.
Hosted at the JW Marriott Hotel Tashkent in partnership with IT Park Uzbekistan, the forum promises not just conversations about money — but real deals, real funds, and real partnerships.
This is not a typical conference with generic panels and predictable speeches. CEVF positions itself as an investment platform — a place where capital is structured, syndicates are formed, and cross-border partnerships are born.
Smart Capital: The 2026 Theme That Reflects a New Reality
The main focus of CEVF 2026 is Smart Capital — a concept that goes beyond simply “investing in startups.”
In today’s global environment — marked by shifting geopolitics, rapid AI development, fintech disruption, and the rise of deep tech — capital is no longer just money. It is expertise. It is governance. It is long-term strategy.
Smart Capital means:
- Structured and professional fund creation
- Sustainable investment models
- Institutional-quality venture governance
- Cross-border syndication
- AI-, fintech-, and deep-tech-focused portfolios
In short: smarter money for a more complex world.
Where Deals Actually Happen
Unlike many startup events that focus primarily on exposure and inspiration, CEVF is designed around deal flow.
1. Startup Alley
This is a direct-access zone to early-stage projects. Founders meet investors face-to-face — without long email chains or gatekeepers. For many startups, this is the fastest path to their first serious institutional conversation.
2. MOST Investable Battle
A competitive pitching stage where selected startups present to venture funds and private investors. It’s not just about applause — it’s about term sheets.
3. Closed Investor Sessions
Private GP–LP meetings, fund formation discussions, and roundtables on capital structuring. These sessions are where funds are conceptualized, partnerships negotiated, and future strategies quietly shaped.
4. VC Party
Because in venture capital, informal conversations often lead to formal commitments. The official afterparty offers an extended networking space — where hierarchy softens and real dialogue begins.
5. CEVF Retreat
A closed outdoor event for selected participants — designed for deeper relationship building beyond the main stage spotlight.
The Faces Behind the Capital
The speaker lineup reflects the region’s growing venture maturity.
Among them:
- Murat Abdrakhmanov — one of the largest and most active venture investors in Central Asia
- Aynur Zhanturina, CEO of RISE Research
- Yerlan Issekeshev — venture investor
- Abay Absamet, Co-Founder of Silkroad Angels
- Baurzhan Kankin
- Alexander Zemlyak
- Ivan Belokhvostikov
Their presence signals that CEVF is not just symbolic — it is backed by people who deploy capital across the region.
Why Tashkent? Why Now?
Uzbekistan has been steadily opening its economy, modernizing regulation, and strengthening its startup ecosystem. With the support of IT Park Uzbekistan, the country has positioned itself as a regional innovation hub.
Tashkent’s hosting of CEVF signals a broader trend: Central Eurasia is no longer peripheral in the global venture map. It is emerging as a distinct, interconnected capital ecosystem bridging Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Strategic Access: Getting There
For international participants, logistics matter. Direct flights to Tashkent are available via Air Astana, the Official Airline Partner of CEVF 2026 — reinforcing the forum’s regional integration theme.
More Than a Forum — A Capital Infrastructure Moment
CEVF 2026 is not just about panels or pitches. It is about forming the next generation of funds, syndicates, and regional alliances.
In a world where venture capital is becoming more selective and institutional, Central Eurasia is carving out its own narrative — one built on structured capital, regional collaboration, and long-term strategy.
On April 3, 2026, Tashkent will not just host a forum.
It will host a turning point.
