At Techstars, we believe that great ideas and exceptional founders can come from anywhere. Our mission is to discover and support these entrepreneurs by embedding global networks into local ecosystem roots.

Through our Startup Community Partnerships, we connect local communities to Techstars’ worldwide network, providing access to proven products like Startup Weekend and Founder Catalyst programs to help cities build thriving startup communities.

This vision recently came to life in full force across Uzbekistan, where simultaneous, high-impact tech initiatives took over both Samarkand and Tashkent from May 15-17.

Samarkand Ignites: A Milestone First Startup Weekend

In a historic milestone for the region, our local partners Hackonnect and UzVC launched the region's first official event under Techstars Uzbekistan, a Startup Community Partnership.

Organized by Techstars Uzbekistan, Samarkand’s very first Techstars Startup Weekend saw an incredible turnout of eager founders, developers, and visionaries. Over 54 intense hours, participants came together to pitch raw concepts, form dynamic teams, and build MVPs from scratch. The high-energy weekend culminated in 21 teams pitching their refined ideas directly to a panel of expert judges.

This initiative offered local innovators a direct bridge into a global framework of structured mentorship.

Momentum is building fast, and another Techstars Startup Weekend is coming up soon! Stay tuned for registration details.

High Energy in Tashkent & Global Insights from Audun Abelsnes

While Samarkand was laying the foundations for new ventures, the capital city of Tashkent was simultaneously buzzing with a major tech event: Global Tech Weekend.

Audun Abelsnes, Managing Director of Techstars Middle East, traveled to Uzbekistan to immerse himself in both environments, meeting countless founders and experiencing the immense drive of the Uzbekistan startup community firsthand. During his visit, Audun sat down for an interview on the Founder's Cafe podcast to break down the roadmap for taking a startup from a raw idea to global scaling.

Key Takeaway: Audun emphasized that the AI era allows lean teams in emerging markets like Uzbekistan to scale globally without moving to Silicon Valley, but notes that early-stage investors prioritize intellectual honesty, clean equity distribution, and product validation over vanity metrics.

The Engine Behind the Event: Hackonnect

Great ecosystems aren’t built overnight; they are forged by operators who refuse to stop pushing. In Uzbekistan, that driving force is Hackonnect. Hackonnect has spent years grinding behind the scenes to scale the region's tech scene.

As proven, battle-tested event organizers, they didn't just coordinate this Techstars program; they built the runway for it. From mobilizing hundreds of local founders to navigating the complex logistics of a high-octane weekend, Hackonnect proved once again why they are the indispensable bridge between global tech frameworks and Central Asian talent.

A Thriving Future for Uzbekistan Tech

The success of the Samarkand Startup Weekend and the parallel energy in Tashkent mark an exciting chapter in Techstars’ programmatic expansion. By pairing the region's remarkable technical talent with Techstars' global framework, we are building lasting capacity for every founder who follows.

Congratulations to the team behind Techstars Uzbekistan and all the visionary founders who participated. The Central Asian startup movement is well underway!

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