Uzbekistan, UK discuss expanded investment in AI, startups

Representatives of Uzbekistan’s IT Park Uzbekistan, Enterprise Uzbekistan, and IT Park Ventures, led by CEO Azamat Karamatov, have held talks with senior leadership of British venture capital firm Sturgeon Capital to deepen investment cooperation and support the country’s growing startup ecosystem.

The meeting included Sturgeon Capital CEO Kiyan Zandieh and partner Robin Butler, and focused on expanding partnerships between Uzbek technology firms and global venture capital networks, Caliber.Az reports via Uzbek media.

According to participants, discussions centred on improving the investment climate in Uzbekistan and increasing access to international capital for local startups.

Special attention was given to potential joint investments in high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence, fintech, software-as-a-service (SaaS), and digital infrastructure. Both sides explored opportunities to scale early-stage companies and integrate them into broader global markets.

IT Park Ventures presented ongoing initiatives aimed at supporting startups and outlined strategies for developing Uzbekistan’s venture capital industry. Sturgeon Capital representatives highlighted the rapid growth of Central Asia’s tech sector and expressed interest in expanding collaboration with local entrepreneurs.

The meeting also covered technical aspects of venture capital operations, including investment analysis, due diligence procedures, and portfolio management. Participants discussed how international best practices, particularly from the United Kingdom, could be applied to strengthen Uzbekistan’s regulatory and investment environment.

Both sides emphasised the importance of knowledge exchange, particularly in identifying promising startups and improving the efficiency of funding processes.

At the conclusion of the talks, the parties reaffirmed their intention to continue cooperation and develop joint initiatives aimed at attracting sustained foreign investment and supporting Uzbekistan’s ambition to build a more innovation-driven economy.

By Sabina Mammadli