Startup Garage, Uzbekistan’s leading venture studio and innovation ecosystem, proudly announces that eight of its portfolio startups have been selected as finalists in the President Tech Award 2025 — one of the nation’s most prestigious competitions recognizing excellence in technology and innovation.
From more than 600 submitted projects, only 52 teams have advanced to the final stage — and eight of them represent the Startup Garage ecosystem: Teamwork Ecosystem, Zingo, Romchi, MagicBot, Funding Pro, Karmon AI, Lexora, and Salen Academy.
These startups showcase the strength and diversity of Uzbekistan’s emerging innovation landscape — spanning fields such as AI automation, education technology, financial innovation, and SaaS productivity tools.
“This recognition is not only a milestone for our startups but also for the entire ecosystem we are building. It proves that homegrown founders can create world-class products and compete on the global stage,” said Mukhammad Khalil, Founder & CEO of Startup Garage and Managing Partner at Imkon Ventures.
The finalists will now compete for the grand prize of $900,000, with the final Demo Day taking place in November–December 2025, where an international jury will select the winners.
About the President Tech Award
The President Tech Award celebrates Uzbekistan’s most innovative entrepreneurs, scientists, and builders who are creating technologies with real-world impact. The initiative aims to accelerate the growth of the country’s innovation ecosystem by providing financial support, mentorship, and access to global networks.
About Startup Garage & Imkon Ventures
Startup Garage is a private venture studio and national startup ecosystem builder with operations in Uzbekistan, Qatar, and Morocco. Through its flagship programs — Founders School, Micro SaaS Studio, and the Imkon Ventures Fund — Startup Garage supports founders at every stage, from idea validation to international scaling.
Imkon Ventures, the investment arm of Startup Garage, backs early-stage startups across Central Asia, helping them validate business models, scale operations, and attract international investment.
Meet the Finalist Startups from Startup Garage
- Teamwork Ecosystem – A freelance marketplace from Uzbekistan that connects clients with verified remote workers through a secure prepayment system, empowering the local gig economy.
- Zingo – A social language-learning app that pairs users with conversation partners to practice English and other languages in real time.
- Romchi – A business automation platform designed for companies that manufacture and install doors and windows, streamlining operations from order to installation.
- MagicBot – A no-code builder for Telegram mini-apps and e-commerce bots integrated with local payment solutions, enabling businesses to launch digital tools instantly.
- Funding Pro – A platform helping startups and SMEs access funding opportunities, manage investor relations, and prepare for capital raising.
- Karmon AI – A personal finance app powered by AI that tracks spending, manages budgets, and provides intelligent financial insights to users.
- Lexora – An AI-powered legal platform that automates document analysis, legal research, and compliance management for law firms and enterprises.
- Salen Academy – An online education platform providing tech-focused courses and mentorship programs to prepare young professionals for the digital economy.
Website: www.startupgarage.uz
Location: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
