A special seminar featuring MENA startup ecosystem expert Khalid Al Tattan was held at IT Park Tashkent. Organized in collaboration with IT Park Saudi Arabia, the event aimed to strengthen technological ties between Uzbekistan and the Gulf countries.
Opportunities for startups
The seminar attracted startups in the Seed, Pre-Seed, and Idea stages, providing them with valuable insights on attracting investment and expanding into Gulf markets. Drawing from his extensive experience, Khalid Al Tattan shared practical advice on key areas, including:
- Innovation potential in the Gulf region – Analysis of current trends and promising sectors for international startups in MENA.
- Investor expectations – Understanding key investor evaluation criteria, including market readiness, scalability potential, and high-interest industries.
- Successful case studies – Examination of startups that have successfully raised capital and expanded in MENA, highlighting their strategies and key success factors.
Particular emphasis was placed on Seed and Pre-Seed stages, where Khalid stressed that well-developed products significantly enhance investment appeal. Participants also had the opportunity to submit their projects in advance and receive personalized feedback from the expert.
Collaboration between IT Park and MENA
During his visit to Uzbekistan, Khalid Al Tattan met with IT Park representatives to discuss potential collaborations. He identified three key startup sectors where Uzbekistan and MENA could effectively cooperate:
- FinTech – Innovations in financial technology and digital services.
- E-commerce – The rapid expansion of online marketplaces.
- Web3 – Decentralized technologies and blockchain-based projects.
These sectors are among the most profitable and high-growth areas in both Uzbekistan and the MENA region.
Meetings with venture funds and startup leaders
In addition to the seminar, Khalid engaged with major venture capital funds and key market players, including Aloqa Ventures, United Ventures, Startup Garage, C-Space, and U-Enter, to explore future collaborations.
Furthermore, he held one-on-one meetings with leading Uzbek startups, such as Jobster, Geomotive, Smartup, Verifix, Online Nurse, TextileFinds, and kpi.com, discussing potential synergies between Uzbekistan and the Gulf region.
As part of his recommendations, Khalid proposed launching joint acceleration programs and expansion initiatives, allowing startups from both regions to exchange expertise and scale efficiently.
Key takeaways and future prospects
The event concluded with a Q&A session, where startups received personalized recommendations and discussed practical strategies for entering Gulf markets. Participants emphasized the value of the insights gained and expressed confidence in further strengthening technological and innovation-driven cooperation between Uzbekistan and the MENA region.
