Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Agrobank has announced the launch of the US$6.1 million AgroVentures venture fund. The fund was presented on 23 September as part of ICT Week Uzbekistan 2026, held from 22 to 25 September at CAEx in Tashkent.
AgroVentures was established within the bank in accordance with Presidential Resolution No. PP–99 dated 13 March 2026. Agrobank became one of the first banks in Uzbekistan to establish its own venture investment structure.
The fund plans to invest in 60–75 companies and support the creation of more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs. AgroVentures’ target indicators include a return on invested capital of 2.5–3x, an annual internal rate of return above 25%, and 8–12 investment exits with a projected total value of US$15–18 million.
The fund’s resources will be allocated to early-stage and growth-stage startups, fast-growing companies, Agrobank’s own digital and fintech projects, as well as university research and development projects related to intellectual property.
Individual investments will range from US$25,000 to US$500,000. The main focus areas will be agricultural technologies (AgriTech), artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML). Other priorities include financial technologies (FinTech), retail, healthcare technologies (HealthTech), educational technologies (EdTech), green technologies (GreenTech), logistics and deep technologies (Deep Tech).
The first AgroVentures program will be the Agrobank corporate accelerator, launched jointly with AI Station. As part of the 12-week program, up to 20 startups will be selected to implement pilot projects with Agrobank’s divisions and its small and medium-sized business clients.
Participants will receive access to international master classes and regional workshops, weekly mentoring and a final Demo Day. Participation in the accelerator is free of charge, and the organizers will not take equity in the companies or a share of their revenue.
The most successful teams will be able to conclude partnership or white-label agreements with Agrobank or attract follow-on investments from AgroVentures.
The program is open to startups from any industry, provided they have a functioning minimum viable product (MVP) and initial validated results. Registration of a legal entity is not required to participate. Applications will be accepted until 23 October 2026.
“For decades, Agrobank has financed farmers and entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan. With the creation of AgroVentures, we are also investing in technologies that will shape how they work in the future,” Agrobank Chairman of the Management Board Erkin Azizjonovich Kakhorov said.
According to him, the bank expects founders of promising startups to view Agrobank as a partner, investor and first major client.
AgroVentures LLC was established within Agrobank to develop a venture and private investment ecosystem in Uzbekistan, focusing on technologies at various stages of agricultural production.
Agrobank serves more than 7.4 million customers through 170 branches across the country. The bank specializes in serving farmers and enterprises in the agricultural sector, while AgroVentures is expanding its activities into technology and startups.
