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The companies, people and capital moving things forward.
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Brief · 12 Nov 2026Uzbekistan’s Catalyst programme reports 20 startup cooperation agreementsStartupFest’s industry programme connects young teams with corporate partners, with $410,000 directed to projects across the initiative.
Brief · 9 Nov 2026Uzbek-founded Defex Robotics joins Y CombinatorDefex is developing industrial robots that insert electrical connectors and check the finished connection, led by co-founder and CEO Husan Mavlonov.
Brief · 8 Nov 2026Astana Hub opens startup applications for INMerge in BakuStartups have until November 13 to apply for Astana Hub’s selection for the innovation summit, which begins in Baku on November 30.
Brief · 6 Nov 2026Global Tech Weekend opens applications for Ferris wheel startup pitches in TbilisiGlobal Tech Weekend will launch its 2027 programme on December 5, pairing investor pitches above Tbilisi with an evening event at Mtatsminda Hall.
Funding · 4 Nov 2026Fal announces Bessemer-led Series F to expand generative media infrastructureFal, founded by Turkish entrepreneurs Burkay Gür and Görkem Yurtseven, is expanding the computing capacity and team behind its image, video and audio AI platform.
Brief · 3 Nov 2026IT Park Ventures adds NVIDIA and Notion benefits for portfolio startupsThe Uzbek venture fund is offering access to AI development resources and six months of Notion Business with Notion AI.
Funding · 1 Nov 2026Delever raises $380,000 from AloqaVentures and Nexus Club for restaurant softwareThe Uzbekistan startup will use the investment to develop its order and delivery platform and expand into new markets.
Brief · 30 Oct 2026Five Georgian startups exhibit in the country’s first SWITCH pavilion in SingaporeGITA backed Clinova, Dunno, Omniform Systems, Vybe and PhytoTester at the international technology event.
Brief · 27 Oct 2026InnoWeek opens in Tashkent with 265 exhibitors and two startup Demo DaysUzbekistan’s three-day innovation week opened on October 27 with 750 products on display and a programme featuring young startup teams, investors and international partners.
Brief · 15 Oct 2026Astana Hub and Ghent University open AI laboratory with startup ambitionsThe joint laboratory at Alem.ai will bring Kazakh and Belgian researchers together, with education and health among its first areas of work.
Brief · 15 Oct 2026TÜBİTAK selects 91 entrepreneurs in BiGG Investment’s first 2026 callThe selected founders will establish companies and sign investment agreements, following a programme combining acceleration and equity finance.
Funding · 13 Oct 2026Craftgate secures Turkven investment to expand payment orchestrationThe Turkish fintech serves more than 600 businesses and plans to reach more merchants in Türkiye and international markets while developing new AI features.
Brief · 10 Oct 2026Startup School 4 selects 70 finalists for Baku Demo DayThe teams will present to investors on October 31 after a programme that drew nearly 350 applications from 15 countries.
Funding · 10 Oct 2026Bigmart closes $500,000 pre-seed round for corporate procurement platformFour investors are backing the Uzbek B2B marketplace as it expands its business and develops AI tools for purchasing.
Brief · 9 Oct 2026Türkiye opens R&D funding route for joint projects with JapanTurkish companies can apply for support to develop new products, processes and services with Japanese partners through the Eureka Globalstars 2026 call.
Funding · 8 Oct 2026EDB increases Uzum financing to $100 millionThe additional $30 million will support the Uzbek digital ecosystem’s fintech business and services for consumers and small businesses.
Funding · 8 Oct 2026Joygrid Ventures invests in Mobge at a $10 million valuationThe Turkish studio behind Oddmar is focusing on action games for mobile, with support from the early-stage investor.
Roundup · 8 Oct 2026AI talent and startup programmes in Kazakhstan and Armenia approach October deadlinesApplications cover master’s-level AI support, impact startup investment and applied research funding, with deadlines from October 11 to 13.
Roundup · 7 Oct 2026Georgia opens accelerator calls as Turkmenistan’s Startup Academy nears its deadlineThe calls cover a yearlong accelerator with grants, regional mentoring in Georgia and a seven-week incubation programme in Turkmenistan.
Brief · 6 Oct 2026Four startups share $100,000 in Astana Hub Battle awardsFour teams win at Kazakhstan’s AI & Digital Bridge forum, with additional grant and computing support reported by the organiser.