National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan

A total of 15 teams from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan advanced to the final stage of the competition. Following the selection process, four teams were awarded prizes of 3 million tenge each. Among the winners were three startups from Uzbekistan—“Defuse-IT,” “Sirly” and “Organic Living”—as well as the “Water Watch AI Plus” project from Kyrgyzstan. The Grand Prix and a cash prize of 5 million tenge were awarded to the Kazakh eco-project “Aua Line.”

The Uzbek projects showcased a wide range of solutions, from water resource management to waste reduction and the advancement of circular economy principles.

The “Defuse-IT” project, developed by Ezozbek Ozodov, is an intelligent mobile system for water purification and monitoring. The solution is based on advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and automated control. It enables real-time analysis of the physical and chemical parameters of water, identifies pollution levels and automatically regulates the filtration process. The technology is designed for use in water-scarce regions, agriculture and emergency situations, offering energy efficiency, mobility and lower cost compared to international analogues.

The “Sirly” project, developed by Khojiakbar Nosirov, focuses on reducing food waste and promoting responsible consumption. The digital platform allows food service businesses to sell unsold but high-quality products at the end of the day at reduced prices in a “Surprise Bag” format. This contributes to reducing organic waste, lowering methane emissions and fostering environmentally conscious behavior among the population.

The third initiative, “Organic Living,” developed by Oydin Pulatova, introduces a refill system for household cleaning products. The project aims to minimize plastic packaging through reusable solutions and special tablets used to prepare cleaning agents. In this way, the startup contributes to reducing plastic waste and advancing circular economy practices.

The ECO Startup Competition Central Asia served as an important platform for promoting innovative environmental solutions and strengthening regional cooperation in sustainable development. The participation and success of Uzbek teams underscore the country’s strong potential in advancing green technologies and entrepreneurship.