Uzbekistan’s IT industry continues to grow at an impressive pace, establishing a solid reputation on the global stage. The sector is placing particular emphasis on areas such as digital transformation, the development of artificial intelligence, IT service exports, and startup support. Below is a review of the key achievements and trends that defined the development of the industry in 2024.
Key achievements and trends
The year 2024 was a pivotal one for Uzbekistan’s IT industry. UZUM Group made history as the country’s first unicorn, achieving a market valuation of over $1 billion. The company has been actively expanding its e-commerce and fintech operations, while also strengthening its presence in international markets.
IT Park Uzbekistan announced the launch of the Digital Startups Program, designed to support startups operating in the digital sphere. This initiative aims to help emerging entrepreneurs develop their projects by providing access to education, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Participants in the program will not only refine their business models but also prepare for scaling up, entering new markets, and attracting investments.
In addition, IT Park Uzbekistan opened a representative office in Saudi Arabia. The grand opening was held at The Garage Innovation Center, known for its technological initiatives.
To further support tech startups, IT Park Uzbekistan, in collaboration with international partners, established a $10 million venture fund. The fund has already financed over 30 startups at the Seed and Series A stages, providing a significant boost to the country’s innovation ecosystem.
As part of the “Digital Uzbekistan – 2030” strategy, significant progress has been made in integrating digital technologies into public administration. Key initiatives include:
- Mobile ID for citizen identification;
- Digital passports;
- Full digitization of government services.
Digitization has also expanded into sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and finance, improving efficiency and enhancing service quality for citizens.
A landmark event of the year was the Digital Uzbekistan International PLUS-Forum, which brought together over 2,000 participants from 25 countries.
National developments and IT companies
In 2024, 10 new IT schools were opened across Uzbekistan, providing more than 15,000 students with modern IT education and significantly strengthening the industry’s talent pool.
IT Park Uzbekistan expanded its network to include over 1,600 companies and increased IT service exports to $344 million, with the United States as the primary market.
In the FinTech sector, leaders such as PayMe and Click played a key role in the country’s digital transformation. Notably, Click introduced a SuperApp, combining multiple services into one application.
TBC, another major player, successfully attracted significant investments. Additionally, new market entrants launched their own payment processing centers, further diversifying the IT ecosystem.
Successful IT startups of the year
The year 2024 was significant for Uzbek startups, which further strengthened the country’s presence on the global technological stage. Noteworthy projects include:
- BILLZ – Secured $500,000 in funding to develop business process automation solutions;
- Uzum – As the country’s first unicorn, the company plans to attract an additional $300 million in investments;
- PoinAi – Won first place on Product Hunt;
- Tahrirchi – Launched a translation tool for the Karakalpak language.
Eight Uzbek startups participated in TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 in Silicon Valley under the Central Asian Innovation Hubs brand. Companies such as Uzum, Uzinfocom, Datagaze, Geomotive, Smartup, Point AI, BILLZ, and Call 24 were represented.
These achievements highlight Uzbekistan’s growing integration into the global startup ecosystem and its increasing competitiveness in the international tech market.
Major IT events
In 2024, Uzbekistan hosted several major IT events, attracting professionals, entrepreneurs, and experts from around the world. Key events included:
- Digital Uzbekistan International PLUS-Forum – Focused on digitalizing the economy and implementing AI in public services;
- Digital Silk Road Hackathon – Engaged over 200 participants in developing innovative solutions for tourism, logistics, and blockchain;
- ICT Week Uzbekistan – A platform for showcasing global trends, forging partnerships, and strengthening the startup ecosystem.
Other notable events included the AI Evolution Conference, featuring renowned speakers such as Jimmy Wales and Zak Cass, as well as hackathons and the launch of IT Park’s venture fund. These events solidified Uzbekistan’s position as a leading tech hub in Central Asia.
