News from the ecosystem

Apple Pay and Google Pay are now available in Uzbekistan. You can now pay for purchases using your smartphone or Apple Watch without having to take out your card. Payment is processed at the register: simply hold your device up to the contactless terminal. This uses the same terminal as for a standard contactless card payment. Support depends on the bank and the specific card. This means the service isn’t automatically available to everyone: the bank must support payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay for that particular card. Therefore, availability will vary among users. For some, payments via smartphone or watch will work right away, while for others, the feature will become available later, once the bank activates the card.

The Kazakh startup Call2Action AI reached $1 million in ARR in the U.S. market in less than a year. ARR stands for annual recurring revenue, which is the annual revenue from subscriptions projected over a one-year period; it is commonly used to evaluate SaaS businesses. The company is led by founder and CEO Yersultan Dzhusakinov. Under his leadership, the team has built an AI platform to automate the hiring process for U.S. transportation companies. Today, the startup’s client base includes more than 60 companies in the U.S. The platform handles the entire recruitment process for carriers. In this industry, hiring is an ongoing process that requires a lot of manual work. The team’s next goal is $10 million in ARR and expansion into new markets. In other words, they plan to grow not only by deepening their presence in the U.S. but also by expanding geographically.

VEON announced the acquisition of 100% of Rubicon Wireless, a mobile operator that operates in Uzbekistan under the Perfectum brand. The total transaction value is approximately $207 million, including approximately $93 million in assumed debt from Perfectum. The payment will be funded from VEON’s own resources. Along with the operator, Beeline Uzbekistan will acquire 115 MHz of spectrum in the 850 MHz and 3,800 MHz bands, as well as modern network equipment and infrastructure, including a standalone 5G network built on Nokia equipment. According to the company’s estimates, Beeline Uzbekistan’s spectrum portfolio will grow by approximately 50%. This will provide the resources needed to develop 4G/LTE, future 5G services, and fixed wireless access. “Uzbekistan is one of VEON’s key growth markets, and this transaction reflects our confidence in its digital future,” said Kaan Terzioğlu, CEO of the VEON Group. Beeline Uzbekistan CEO Evgeny Nastradin noted that Perfectum’s spectrum will complement existing frequencies and support plans for coverage, capacity, and the launch of 5G. The country’s market comprises approximately 40 million people. VEON is a digital operator that operates in five countries and serves more than 150 million telecom subscribers and 228 million digital users; the company is listed on Nasdaq. Beeline Uzbekistan (Unitel LLC) has been operating under this brand since September 2006; it is part of the VEON Group and has a workforce of over 2,000 employees. Regulatory approvals for the transaction have been obtained, and the deal is expected to close by the end of October. Details are available on the VEON website .

CS// Angels School is now accepting applications for its angel investing program. The program will accept 20 participants; the sessions are designed for traditional investors and entrepreneurs who want to gain an understanding of the venture capital market and invest in startups. The program begins on November 3 and runs through December 22 at the C-Space Yunusabad venue. The course is led by active business angels who invest in startups every week, allowing participants to analyze investment processes and risk management mechanisms in a practical setting. One of the course’s objectives is to teach participants to diversify their investments beyond traditional options—not just real estate and deposits, but also startups. Graduates are eligible to join the CS// Angels Club: according to the organizers, this is the largest and most active community of business angels in Uzbekistan. There are 20 spots in the group, and enrollment is limited. A description of the program is available on the school’s website , and applications are accepted via a Google Form .

DOMiNO Ventures has signed an investment agreement with Paidax, a startup from Kazakhstan. The company has joined the fund’s portfolio. Paidax is a social investment platform for retail investors in Central Asia. It combines access to stocks and ETFs with a community of investors and tools built around the principles of Islamic finance. The platform was founded by Beksultankhoja Anuarov. For DOMiNO Ventures, this is yet another investment in a Central Asian startup that is building financial products for the mass market. The fund works with founders from the region who are developing products for global markets. The fund continues to monitor the region’s ecosystem and investment activity on Stanbase.

IT Park Uzbekistan received the “Best Knowledge Zone of the Year 2026 in Asia” award from fDi Intelligence, a publication of the Financial Times Group. The award was presented as part of the Global Free Zones of the Year Awards. The award recognizes the development of technological infrastructure, the attraction of international companies, and the creation of conditions for business growth. IT Park Uzbekistan is developing the country’s technological infrastructure and collaborating with international companies. It was precisely these areas that were recognized at the Global Free Zones of the Year Awards. For Uzbekistan’s startup ecosystem, this award serves as a benchmark. Infrastructure, access to international markets, and clear business conditions influence whether technology companies and investments come to the country. The full text of the announcement is available on the website: https://gov.uz/ru/digital/news/view/233556 .

Khan Tengri Innovation Hub, in partnership with Alibaba Cloud, is gathering feedback on the needs of Uzbekistan’s startups. The goal is to determine which teams should receive free AI tokens and cloud credits, and in what amounts. These resources can be used for developing AI products, testing models, cloud computing, and scaling up startups. To collect applications, Khan Tengri Innovation Hub has launched a survey that takes 2–3 minutes to complete. Based on the survey results, Alibaba Cloud will assess the startups’ needs and the feasibility of providing support. In other words, the decision to allocate tokens and credits will be made based on the applications received. Important note for participants: Do not register with Alibaba Cloud on your own yet. Instructions will be provided after your participation is confirmed. Take the survey: https://forms.gle/xuu5tqQ8BQaBd9Lj6

IT Park Uzbekistan, Astana Hub, and Khan Tengri Innovation Hub have opened applications for the Industrial AI & Smart Industry Accelerator. The program is designed for startups from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan looking to enter the Chinese market and includes an immersion in the technology and manufacturing ecosystems of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Shanghai. Startups developing hardware and smart devices, solutions at the intersection of software and hardware, as well as AI products that integrate with physical devices, sensors, cameras, robots, and industrial equipment are invited to apply. Participants can expect 20+ hands-on sessions and workshops with experts on the Chinese market, mentorship and training on working with Chinese partners and investors, and B2B meetings with technology and industrial companies. The program also includes access to China’s manufacturing ecosystem: prototyping, components, contract manufacturing, and the supply chain, as well as factory visits and participation in the China Hi-Tech Fair 2026. Accommodations and workspace during the in-person phase are provided free of charge. Participants must be a legal entity in a jurisdiction suitable for entering into a SAFE agreement. Participants are responsible for their own airfare and meals; the program is conducted in English. Applications will be accepted until October 18, 2026. Applications can be submitted at https://scaleup.khantengrihub.com/apply .

Stanbase has opened applications for an internship in its data team. The intern will work with the database that underpins the company’s research, reports, and partnerships with international platforms. The team collects and verifies data on startups, founders, investors, and funding rounds across eight countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The intern’s responsibilities include verifying company and funding round profiles, clarifying information directly with founders and funds, and searching for new deals in local media and Telegram channels. This position is suitable for upper-level students and recent graduates in economics, finance, or IT who are fluent in Russian and English. Work format: hybrid in Tashkent with a flexible schedule. For details and to apply, visit the job posting page: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4476464156/

Beyond Accelerator is now accepting applications for its acceleration program in Tashkent. The program is designed for pre-seed and seed-stage startups with a working MVP and proven traction. It is an in-person program conducted in Russian and English. Applications are being accepted through October 20, and the program begins on October 23. Participants will enhance their products and processes using AI and prepare for a funding round, covering everything from the financial model to the data room. The program also includes direct access to venture capital funds and business angels, one-on-one mentoring from experienced trackers, as well as opportunities to connect with corporate partners and enter new markets. The lead mentor is Bota Mussa, founder and CEO of Bilimber and an alumna of the 500 Global, Antler, and EF programs. She has worked on over 300 projects and provided more than 10,000 hours of mentoring. The project is funded by UK International Development with support from the governments of the United Kingdom and Switzerland, in partnership with United Ventures. Applications can be submitted at: https://investready.uz/beyondprogram/en .

Venture School is now accepting applications for a four-week course on the venture capital industry. The program begins on October 15. Tuition starts at $250. Over the course of four weeks, participants will explore how the venture capital market is structured and how funds operate, how investment decisions are made, and what happens behind the scenes of a deal. Separate modules will focus on attracting investment and structuring fundraising efforts, managing fund capital, and structuring and finalizing venture capital deals. The course is designed for those who want to start or advance a career in venture capital, gain a deeper understanding of investing, and for founders who need to understand investors’ thinking and be prepared to raise capital. Details about the program are available on the school’s website: https://venture-school-7c1f2523-c076-4e28-8.vercel.app/ . You can reserve your spot by submitting an application via the form: https://forms.gle/2T7VUyXvRtN9vvUi9 .

Agrobank and AgroVentures have opened applications for their corporate accelerator. The program lasts 12 weeks, and participation is free. Applications will be accepted through November 9, 2026. Up to 20 startups will be selected. The organizers are looking for projects in agriculture, fintech, and artificial intelligence, as well as products that create value for banks and farmers. Teams will launch pilot projects in collaboration with Agrobank, work with mentors, and present their solutions to investors. AI Station is the accelerator’s key partner. Startups that successfully complete the program will be able to attract investments of up to $500,000. Applications are now being accepted on the website: https://www.agroventures.uz/accelerator . The application deadline is November 9, 2026. Teams may submit their applications to participate in the program until that date.