15 November 2021
In 2019, Tashkent hosted the Workshop "Regional cooperation of startup ecosystems as a key factor in the growth of the digital economy", which was aimed at stimulating regional cooperation in the field of startups. This was the first event that identified the necessary coordinated actions between countries in the region under the Startup Central Eurasia initiative to increase the competitiveness of startup ecosystems. As a result, the Central Asian countries adopted the Tashkent Declaration.
The declaration, in particular, emphasized the need of the Central Asian region to create and develop a support system for startups to enter the adjacent markets of the CIS and neighboring countries and the desire to facilitate the process by sharing experience, providing relevant information about the work of the startup ecosystem, conducting training and meetings.
Two years have passed since the adoption of the Tashkent Declaration, and during this time, the processes within the framework of the Startup Central Eurasia initiative, having high interest and response from the countries of the region, have successfully developed. In total, within the framework of the platform for cooperation and increasing the competitiveness of Startup Central Eurasia, more than ten thematic events and sessions were held, including training for startups from practitioners from leading global innovative companies, mentoring assistance to startups in the region, organizing processes for accessing investors, events stimulating the development of open innovations in government, creation of a virtual platform for cooperation www.startupcentraleurasia.com.
This year, Tashkent will host the third, which has already become annual, ITU Workshop, "Regional Cooperation of Startup Ecosystems as a Key Factor of Global Digital Leadership - Startup Central Eurasia Platform" at which the Startup Central Eurasia platform will be presented and officially launched, and proposals will be considered. Countries to create thematic alliances in the field of fintech and artificial intelligence.
Before the workshop, we talked with the coordinator of the Startup Central Eurasia platform, the founder of Future Laboratory, Irakli Kashibadze, to find out how the platform helps the development of startup ecosystems of countries and, in particular, startups themselves for their successful growth, development, and entry into adjacent markets.
"The world's leading ecosystems (Silicon Valley, New York, London) concentrate enormous resources that create a positive impact on the development of global startups, attract the best talent from around the world, provide access to financial resources for venture capital and angel investments, as well as access to cutting-edge scientific research, achievements, and developments.
In fact, it is virtually impossible to achieve the same favorable environment in each of the region's countries in a short time since this requires huge resources.
However, each of the countries in the region has its interesting achievements and programs, for example, "One Million Uzbek Coders" in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan's plans to become a leading country in the development of artificial intelligence, simplified mechanisms for setting up businesses and the English law system in Kazakhstan.
The Startup Central Eurasia platform and the events organized within it allow uniting all the resources of the region's countries to provide the innovation ecosystem with all the elements necessary for its successful development.
However, in addition to cooperation, it is essential to focus on specific areas. That is why, at our annual event, which will be held on 25-26 November in Uzbekistan, an initiative to create thematic alliances in the field of artificial intelligence and financial technologies will be considered. The structure of the alliance will be focused on the creation and development of joint projects that will enhance the competitiveness of countries in these areas."
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