Take Off Startup Forum to Debut in Samarkand

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — One of the region’s key technology and startup events, the Take Off forum, is expanding its international footprint and will hold its next edition in Samarkand on 3–4 June.

The platform was established in 2018 within TEKNOFEST, the world’s largest aerospace and technology festival, at the initiative of the Türkiye Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation) with support from the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology.

Over the years, Take Off has evolved from a regional initiative into a global platform connecting venture capital funds, corporations, accelerators, and startups from more than 100 countries.

The decision to host the event in Uzbekistan reflects the organizers’ strategic focus on Central Asia. Samarkand was selected as a new growth hub, taking into account the region’s demographic potential, with Uzbekistan’s population standing at around 38 million and the broader Central Asian market exceeding 80 million consumers.

The country’s startup ecosystem, driven by digital technologies and a young population, has attracted more than 550 million US dollars in investments in recent years. The official launch of preparations for the event took place in Istanbul at the Topkapi Palace, with participation from Turkish government representatives, the T3 Foundation, and a delegation from Uzbekistan.

The Take Off Samarkand forum will be held under the theme “where trade routes become networks of innovation.” The format goes beyond traditional networking, focusing on direct engagement between startups and investors seeking concrete technological solutions.

The program includes pre-arranged meetings between startups and investors, thematic panel discussions, and dedicated collaboration zones aimed at moving from presentations to investment agreements.

Applications for participation are open until April 30 for technology startups worldwide seeking access to international markets.