Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan will launch an international startup competition, Land of Startups, in April 2027, with a total prize fund of US$5 million. The relevant Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 593 was adopted on 28 October 2026.
The competition will be held annually and aims to attract foreign startup projects and founders to Uzbekistan, accelerate technology transfer and develop the country into a regional startup hub.
The resolution was adopted to implement Presidential Resolution No. PP-59 of 11 February 2026, “On Measures to Establish a Comprehensive Startup Support Ecosystem”.
The competition will cover five areas: artificial intelligence technologies; digital solutions for social sectors, including education, healthcare and public services; financial technologies; creative industries and computer and mobile game development; and solutions for business and industry.
Each of the 25 winning teams will be eligible to receive up to US$200,000 in investment from the venture fund under the IT Park Directorate. Funding will be provided after completion of a due diligence process.
The resolution also introduces changes to the rules governing IT Park operations.
In particular, the requirement for IT Park residents to integrate their developed automated accounting and measurement systems with the information systems of tax authorities has been abolished.
The IT Park Directorate will also be exempt from submitting tax and statistical reports, as well as information on training courses conducted in the field of information technology.
The list of permitted activities for IT Park residents has been expanded to include the production and sale of Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence devices, micro- and nanoelectronics, intelligent robots, and the operation of business angel clubs.
