Agrobank launches $6.1M AgroVentures fund to invest in 60-75 startups

Agrobank launched AgroVentures, a $6.1M venture fund, at ICT Week Uzbekistan 2026, the country's largest tech event, held September 22-25 at CAEx in Tashkent. The fund was created inside the bank under Presidential Decree No. 99 of March 13, 2026. Agrobank says it is one of the first banks in Uzbekistan to run its own venture investment structure.

AgroVentures plans to invest in 60 to 75 companies and create more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs. Checks range from $25,000 to $500,000. The fund targets a 2.5-3x return on invested capital, an IRR above 25%, and 8 to 12 exits with a projected total value of $15-18M. Capital will go to early-stage and growth startups, direct investments in fast-growing companies, Agrobank's own digital and fintech projects, and university research and intellectual property.

The main sectors are AgriTech and AI/ML, followed by FinTech, retail, HealthTech, EdTech, GreenTech, logistics and Deep Tech. Agrobank, one of the largest banks in Uzbekistan, serves more than 7.4M clients through 170 branches.

The first program is a corporate accelerator run with AI Station. Over 12 weeks it will select up to 20 startups to run pilots with Agrobank teams and SME clients, with international and regional workshops, weekly mentoring and a final Demo Day. Participation is free and the accelerator takes no equity or revenue share. The strongest teams can sign a partnership or white-label deal with Agrobank or raise follow-on from AgroVentures.

The program is open to startups from any industry with a working MVP and first confirmed results; no legal entity is required. Applications close October 23, 2026 at accelerator.aisinnovation.com. Erkin Azizjonovich Kakhorov, chairman of the board of Agrobank, said the bank has funded Uzbek farmers and entrepreneurs for decades and now also wants to invest in the technology that will shape how they work.