Tashkent is set to host the fifth Central Asia Venture Forum (CEVF) on April 3, 2026, bringing together over 1,000 participants from across the region and beyond. Investors, entrepreneurs, and venture capital representatives will gather for the first time in Uzbekistan, signaling the country’s growing technology ecosystem, DKNews.kz reports.
Uzbekistan’s Venture Ecosystem on the Rise
In recent years, Uzbekistan’s venture sector has shown remarkable growth:
- The startup ecosystem expanded 13-fold, reaching a value of $3.9 billion.
- Total investments in startups hit $329 million.
- Around 750 new startups were created.
- Two “unicorn” companies emerged among local firms.
With the support of the Ministry of Digital Technologies, MOST Holding and IT Park Uzbekistan are leading the forum organization. MOST Holding has been developing the entrepreneurial environment in Central Asia for over 15 years, combining ventures, fintech, and educational initiatives.
Forum Partners and Collaborators
The forum enjoys collaboration with major international and regional players:
- Astana Hub
- UK International Development
- EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development)
- IFC (International Finance Corporation)
- Air Astana
- Yandex Cloud
- VISA
- UZVC
- Accelerate Prosperity
- KPMG
This Year’s Theme: “The Next Frontier for Smart Capital”
CEVF 2026 will focus on the growth of venture capital and the transformation of AI-driven companies. Participants will have the opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss strategies for business expansion.
Pavel Koktishev, founder of MOST Holding, stated:
“We want wealthy individuals across Central Asia to see IT as a rapidly growing industry that offers enormous opportunities for investment, both as business ‘angels’ and through venture funds.”
Networking and Investment Opportunities
The forum will host:
- Over 50 venture funds
- Hundreds of business angels, including international impact investment platforms like Symbiotics Investments, Uzbek unicorn Uzum, FAO Partners (Singapore), and idacapital (Turkey)
- Dedicated investor zones, closed sessions, and a VIP program at Amirsoy Resort
Key Speakers
The forum will feature influential figures from the region and beyond:
- Murat Abdraxmanov, Founder of MA7 Ventures
- Hikmat Abdurahmanov, Co-founder and CEO of Team University
- Roman Lavrentyev, COO of Uzum
- Alina Truxina, Managing Partner at Utopia Capital Management, USA
- Michael Lints, Partner at Golden Gate Ventures, Singapore
- Miguel Legarda, Investment Manager at Verge HealthTech, Singapore
- Sanjar Sulaymonov, Vice President and Regional Manager for Central Asia at Visa, Kazakhstan
- Akmal Paiziyev, Founder of Express24 and NumeoAI, Uzbekistan
A Proven Track Record
Over five years, CEVF has attracted participants from 50 countries, gathering over 5,000 attendees and facilitating deals exceeding $34 million in total value.
The 2026 forum continues this legacy, highlighting Uzbekistan’s emergence as a vibrant hub for venture capital and innovation in Central Asia.
