Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  Over the next 10-15 years, significant unicorn companies (technology firms with a valuation of at least US$1 billion) are expected to emerge from Central Eurasia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia). This was announced by the organizers of the first-ever technology conference "Central Eurasia at Silicon Valley."

The event took place at the iconic Yerba Buena Arts Center, where Apple co-founder Steve Jobs first introduced the iPhone and iPad to the public.

IT Park’s Executive Director Abdukhakd Kuchkarov represented Uzbekistan at the conference, participating in a panel discussion titled “Artificial Intelligence as a Catalyst for Economic Growth in Emerging Markets.” He emphasized that the development and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) receive special attention at the government level in Uzbekistan. Notably, he mentioned the recent Presidential Resolution on the strategy for AI development until 2030, aimed at creating conditions for integrating AI into the social and economic spheres and transforming Uzbekistan into an AI hub, overseen by Oleg Pekos, the Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies responsible for AI. Plans include increasing the volume of AI products and services to US$1.5 billion, raising the share of AI services in government services to 10%, establishing 10 scientific laboratories, launching powerful servers, and entering the top 50 countries in the AI readiness index.

Additionally, the discussion focused on how emerging markets like Central Eurasia can leverage AI for sustainable development and economic growth. Industry leaders, including Kubra Binzat, Director of Growth at AI Factory at Is Bankasi, Turkey, Usen Galym, Chief Technology Officer at Bayterek Holding, Meini Hoiberger, Vice President of Development at Cohere AI, Renat Tukanov, Chief Technology Officer at Freedom Holding, and Alex Mashrabov, Director of Higgsfield AI, participated in the dialogue about the transformational potential of AI for young, digitally-oriented generations in the region.

Furthermore, Zainab Atabayeva, Chief Manager for Startup Ecosystem Development and Venture Investments at IT Park, spoke at the roundtable on "Creating and Supporting Startup Ecosystems in Central Eurasia," joining key leaders from the regional technology and investment sectors. She highlighted Uzbekistan’s initiatives to establish a startup ecosystem and venture investments, emphasizing opportunities for startups and IT companies looking to expand their operations both domestically and internationally. The discussion included representatives from organizations such as 500 Global, StartX, Stanford University, Astana Hub, UZUM, Qazaqstan Investment Corporation, Freedom Holding, and many others. Together, they explored how Central Eurasia is rapidly transforming into a global startup hub, fostering a dynamic and competitive environment for technological innovation and growth.

The conference attracted the top 100 startups, entrepreneurs from the region, American venture investors, leaders from major companies, representatives from tech giants in Silicon Valley, students, and faculty from leading American universities.

With 1,200 attendees and over 50 speakers, notable figures included Coursera CEO Jeff Magioncalda, Unshackled Ventures founder and partner Nitin Pachisia, as well as representatives from Minerva University and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, Professor Ilya Strebulaev, among other experts.

Special attention was given to Uzbek startups, notably the country’s first unicorn startup, Uzum.

Below are some other startups that also showcased their projects to American investors and clients, facilitating networking with colleagues from other countries:

- Uzum: A digital ecosystem and the largest digital platform in Uzbekistan, offering services in e-commerce, express delivery, banking, fintech, and business development.

- Uzinfocom: The competencies of UZINFOCOM’s specialists enable them to solve clients’ business challenges, providing tailored approaches and achieving results in projects of any complexity, from comprehensive projects to the implementation of state-scale IT solutions.

- BILLZ: A leading startup in retail automation and financing services for SMEs in Central Asia.

- Smartup: A cloud software solution for automating and managing distribution, production, trade marketing, warehousing, and financial accounting.

- Call24: A reliable partner providing effective customer service and optimizing communications in the digital world, offering flexible tools to create personalized approaches to clients and ensure high service levels.

- Datagaze: A robust cybersecurity solution designed to protect organizations from internal data leaks.

- Pointai: Develops customer support software that centralizes data, enabling quick identification and resolution of issues.

- Speechsense: A voice intelligence tool for franchising businesses.

- Beroony: A company developing AI equipment, working on a small earbud designed for translation, instruction acquisition, and real-time search.

- GeoMotive: A marketplace that redefines DOOH advertising by integrating core tools into a single ecosystem, ensuring strategic and effective advertising initiatives with maximum ROI.

The "Central Eurasia @ Silicon Valley" conference highlighted the dynamic growth of the region and its potential for development, showcasing key opportunities for investment and collaboration. Central Eurasia is viewed as a thriving region with immense unrealized potential, with a total population of 100 million and an average age of 27, producing about 200,000 graduates in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields annually.

The region possesses all the necessary components for tech industry growth: universities, a startup ecosystem, venture funds, and representatives in Silicon Valley, such as the Silkroad Innovation Hub. In its first year of operation, this hub attracted 80 resident startups that secured over US$30 million in investments, confirming the growing interest in the region and its potential for further development in the technology sector.