Startup Garage, Uzbekistan’s largest venture studio, was recently crowned “The Best Ecosystem Player” at the prestigious CEVF 2026 forum. This high recognition is no coincidence—it is the logical outcome of the company’s bold strategic moves in recent years, particularly its relentless efforts to bring Uzbekistan’s tech projects to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets.
Previously, a delegation representing the leading players of Uzbekistan’s startup and venture ecosystem—Startup Garage, Imkon Ventures, Asaxiy Invest, and REVO GLOBAL—participated in GITEX Africa in Morocco, the continent’s largest technology and innovation exhibition.
This visit was far more than a mere introduction; it served to create a practical bridge for Uzbekistan’s startups and entrepreneurs to enter the African and MENA markets. As part of this expansion, Startup Garage opened its new office in Casablanca, Morocco, becoming the first Central Asian venture studio to launch operations in North Africa.
Zaid Benbya, Head of Region at Startup Garage Morocco, views this cross-regional integration as a massive opportunity:
“Since we launched Startup Garage’s operations in Morocco, one thing has become abundantly clear: there is a natural, yet fully untapped, arena for collaboration between Central Asia and Africa, holding immense potential. It is truly exciting to see founders and entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan coming here to study the market firsthand. This is not just a visit—it is the beginning of long-term partnerships, investments, and real business relationships.”
Before entering the African continent, Startup Garage had already established its footprint across all 14 regions of Uzbekistan, supporting over 150 startups. More than 10 of these have already successfully attracted over $2 million in external investments. For Yoldoshboy Sultonov, representative of REVO GLOBAL, this marked his first visit to Morocco. He hailed the initiative as a new milestone for Uzbek entrepreneurs:
“I can say that this trip has been an incredibly valuable experience for us. Seeing the market from the inside and getting a feel for the people and the local business climate is of immense importance. Moving forward, we intend to strengthen our collaborations here and explore business opportunities more deeply. In this regard, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Startup Garage team for organizing this visit and opening new horizons for us.
The decision to enter the Moroccan market was not a random choice on a map, and real numbers prove it: immediately after the first office launched in Casablanca in 2025, more than 200 young local startup founders rallied around the platform in a short period. The company’s upcoming strategic plans are even more ambitious—to expand operational activities and form a massive ecosystem consisting of 100 permanent resident companies. This modern infrastructure will serve as a unified support hub for conquering the MENA markets, not only for local projects but also for founders coming all the way from Central Asia.
Behind all these efforts lies a deeply thought-out strategy. Summarizing these processes, Muhammad Khalil, Founder of Startup Garage, highlighted their core mission:
“Our goal is not merely to bring a delegation. Uzbek startups are developing tech solutions that the whole world needs. We are building a platform that transforms the global market from a distant dream into an accessible opportunity for Uzbekistan’s startups—acting as a market gateway, a partner, an investor, and an operational backbone.”
About Startup Garage
Startup Garage is a comprehensive platform dedicated to supporting founders, startup teams, and innovative projects. It serves to develop the ecosystem through education, mentorship, acceleration, investor relations, and go-to-market opportunities. The primary mission is to create real opportunities for founders in both domestic and international markets, seamlessly connecting them with capital and strategic partnerships.
