An event was held within the framework of CEVF 2026 by the UzVC National Venture Fund in cooperation with international venture funds Big Sky Capital and MOST Ventures
2026-04-03 11:00:00 / News of ministry
The closed format of the event and the limited number of participants reflected the organizers’ main objective — to create a conducive environment for meaningful dialogue and professional networking among key market players. The program covered a wide range of topics, from the analysis of the current state of the venture market in Central Asia to the practical application of artificial intelligence in investment activities. The meeting included partnership announcements, panel discussions, and presentations of the Uzbek-language edition of a book dedicated to venture boards.
One of the key highlights of the program was the official announcement of cooperation between UzVC and Big Sky Capital. Within the framework of this partnership, the parties plan to jointly invest in high-potential companies in Uzbekistan and its regions. The cooperation envisions building a deal flow, supporting portfolio companies, and creating an investment portfolio by combining local and international expertise. Particular emphasis was placed on startups in the fields of artificial intelligence and deep tech.
The event continued with panel discussions dedicated to the current state of the Central Asian startup ecosystem, the rapid changes taking place within it, and the region’s attractiveness for international venture investors.
The discussion on startup ecosystem analysis featured Abdulaziz Toshkhojayev (UzVC), Adil Nurgojin (Big Sky Capital), and Alim Khamitov (MOST Ventures). Experts shared their views on key trends in Uzbekistan and the region, the startup pipeline, talent potential, infrastructure and the pace of digital technology adoption, as well as the capital, corporate governance, and access to international markets required for the ecosystem to reach the next stage of development.
The second discussion featured Sheyn Sabine (Punch Capital, USA) and Jan Karsibayev (Big Sky Capital). The speakers discussed criteria for evaluating emerging markets, common misconceptions about the region, and the most attractive sectors for global investors. They also highlighted factors that could accelerate cross-border venture markets within the next 1–2 years.
This was followed by a special session dedicated to the practical application of artificial intelligence in venture investments. Timur Tajbayev, CEO of Grizz AI, delivered a presentation on the practical use of AI in venture fund operations.
It was emphasized that venture funds can use artificial intelligence to review more startups, accelerate processes, and improve the quality of initial analysis. In particular, best practices were discussed regarding the use of AI tools across various stages — from startup intake and analysis to preparing investment memoranda and post-investment monitoring, including methods for standardizing initial evaluation while preserving expert judgment, as well as identifying risks and key questions. During the sessions, participants received answers from venture experts to their questions.
Within the framework of the event, a presentation of the Uzbek-language edition of the book “VC Boards” was also held. This session discussed the importance of supervisory boards and corporate governance as growth drivers for venture-backed companies, key takeaways that founders can immediately apply in practice, and what investors expect from established companies.
The agenda also included an official announcement of cooperation and investment between SQB Ventures and Big Sky Capital. Following this, the role of IT Park Uzbekistan in supporting startups, talent, and their entry into global markets was highlighted. This segment provided information on key programs and support mechanisms, export and international expansion opportunities, as well as how founders can access and utilize available resources.
In the final part of the event, Madina Zokirova and Aziza Hamdamova (Hackonect) delivered a presentation on Techstars Uzbekistan, discussing opportunities available to startups and its importance for the local ecosystem.
At the conclusion, a summary of the event was presented and next steps were announced. The event ended with an informal dinner and a networking session for guests.
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