Second Batch of IRA International Accelerator Launched at CEVF 2026 in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —During the fifth Central Eurasian Venture Forum (CEVF 2026) held in Tashkent, an agreement was signed to launch the second batch of the Investment Readiness Accelerator (IRA) Tashkent international acceleration program. The project is implemented jointly by MOST C-Space Hub, MOST Business Intelligence, and SQB Ventures.

The twelve-week program targets pre-seed and seed-stage startups and aims to deliver measurable business outcomes, including growth in key metrics, preparation for investment rounds, development of scaling strategies, and the creation of a high-quality deal flow.

Each season selects up to 20 startups, concluding with a Demo Day attended by investors, venture funds, and corporate partners.

The first cohort of IRA Tashkent, which began in February 2026, has already completed its program. A private Demo Day at the forum allowed teams to pitch their projects to potential investors and partners.

“IRA Tashkent is for those who came not to attend lectures, but to truly grow revenue and close deals. Uzbekistan is currently in a strong growth phase, and together with MOST’s expertise, we will guide startups toward measurable results,” said CEO of C-Space, Dilmurod Khodiev.

The program’s model has proven effective, as graduates of a similar initiative in Kazakhstan raised over US$8 million in investments. According to CEO of MOST Business Intelligence Dias Kozhataev, the key to success is the startup’s ability to think in business terms: understand metrics, work effectively with clients, and structure deals properly.

The agreement was signed at CEVF 2026, held in Uzbekistan for the first time, which brought together approximately 800 participants, including investors, entrepreneurs, and representatives of venture funds.

The forum is organized by MOST Holding and IT Park Uzbekistan with support from the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan. Over five years, CEVF has hosted more than 5,000 participants from 50 countries, showcasing over 400 startups and facilitating deals totaling more than US$34 million.