There are turning points in everyone’s life. For some, it is their first job. For others, success. And for some, it is failure. For Alisher Hasanov, that turning point was the day his first startup failed. At that moment, he felt discouraged, but the experience taught him something important: mistakes are not the end — they are opportunities for growth.
Today, he shares those lessons with hundreds of young founders. Hasanov is the founder of A9R Accelerator, a business advisor to numerous startups, and one of Central Asia’s most active startup mentors.
20+ years of experience
Hasanov began his IT career in the early 2000s, working with Rambler, Rutube, and Moleskinerie.ru. Later, he helped Yandex enter the Turkish market — one of the company’s most strategic expansions at that time.
He eventually launched his own startup, but the project failed. Reflecting on that period, he says:
“That bankruptcy became a major turning point in my life. After that, I was invited to join ФРИИ (IIDF.ru) — Russia’s largest startup accelerator — to help startups grow. Since then, I’ve worked with more than 1,000 founders.”
After the Russian market, Alisher Hasanov continued his work in Kazakhstan, collaborating with Astana Hub and Silkway Accelerator.
There, he helped three startups — Codiplay, Kwaka, and EasyTap — reach a combined valuation of over $100 million.
Successful startups in his portfolio
Over the years, Hasanov has advised startups across the United States, Russia, Turkey, Australia, the UAE, and Kazakhstan, including:
- LegionFarm — reached $1 million in monthly recurring revenue (MRR) and expanded to the U.S. market
- DocsInBox — grew from $400 to $5 million in revenue
- EasyTap LTD — achieved 217% MRR growth
Behind these results lies one key factor: experience combined with the right approach.
A9R — a different kind of accelerator
Hasanov now channels his experience through A9R, a program built for founders who seek practical growth rather than theory.
“Unlike traditional accelerators that follow fixed plans or long-term strategies, we focus on solving a company’s real and current problems — that’s how we help them grow faster,” says Hasanov.
At A9R, founders do not compete — they learn from one another. Participants from several Asian countries have already joined, and now A9R is focusing its attention on Uzbek founders.
Uzbekistan’s startup ecosystem is still young
Speaking about the country’s ecosystem, Hasanov notes that progress is being made, but there is still much to build:
“Globally speaking, our ecosystem is still young. Venture funds, incubators, and accelerators must collaborate, not compete. Rivalry among ecosystem players harms both the state and society.”
Advice for founders
Hasanov reminds young entrepreneurs: “Do not be afraid to make mistakes — just make sure you do not repeat them. Every failed attempt is preparation for future success.”
He also highlights one of the most common mistakes:
“The biggest issue I see is ego — not listening to advice and repeating the same errors. That’s foolishness,” he says.
A call to founders ready for change
Founders who are ready to grow, evolve, and face challenges are invited to join A9R’s second batch.
Registration is now open through the link
