A free IP program for tech startups featuring experts from Cornell will take place in Tashkent on October 19–21
From October 19 to 21, 2026, a free program on the protection and commercialization of intellectual property for technology startups in Uzbekistan will be held in Tashkent. Organizers: the Agency for Innovation Development under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation and the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State.
The program is designed for technology startups that already own intellectual property (a patent, know-how, industrial design, or software product) or have technology that can be protected. The goal is to help them protect their intellectual property, enter the global market, and find partners, investors, and licensees in the United States. American companies and investors, in turn, will have the opportunity to be among the first to learn about new technologies from Uzbekistan.
On October 19, there will be a day of lectures on technology transfer, types of intellectual property protection, international patenting, finding partners in the U.S., and negotiating with American companies. On October 20 and 21, up to 20 startups will receive individual coaching sessions with experts. Among them are Richard Cahoon, a professor at Cornell University with more than 30 years of experience in invention, IP, and technology transfer; Louis Walcer of Cornell University, founder and former director of the Center for Life Science Ventures; and James Filpi, a senior attorney at CLDP.
CLDP plans to continue supporting participants through one-on-one mentoring from the U.S., assistance with technology promotion, and support in negotiations with American partners. The program will take place at the Agency for Innovation Development at the following address: Tashkent, Almazarsky District, 7 Universitetskaya St. The program will be conducted in English; participation is free, and there are 20 spots available for coaching. Registration is open until October 14: https://forms.gle/NReiDD2DCEvmsHah6.