Uzbekistan is looking to deepen its cooperation with 500 Global as it continues to build out its startup and venture capital ecosystem.
Sherzod Shermatov, Uzbekistan's Minister of Digital Technologies, met with Pedro Santos Vieira, Partner at 500 Global, to discuss increasing venture investment, supporting local startups and helping Uzbek technology companies reach international markets.
The discussion also covered new programmes that could help Uzbek startups prepare for international fundraising and connect with foreign investors, as well as improving conditions for venture funds and making it easier for international investment capital to enter the Uzbek market.
Why this matters for both markets
The development is particularly relevant for the wider region, not just for Uzbekistan.
500 Global already operates its Eurasia accelerator from Georgia, with startups from Uzbekistan among those eligible to participate. That structure means the two markets are already connected through the same investment infrastructure: a fund operating out of Tbilisi, running programmes that Uzbek founders join.
Deeper cooperation between Uzbekistan and an international venture firm therefore has a knock-on effect in Georgia. More Uzbek companies entering these programmes means more traffic through the Georgian side of the network, and more founders in both countries operating within the same investor relationships.
What to watch
The practical test will be whether new programmes materialise and how many Uzbek companies actually raise international rounds as a result.
Announced cooperation and deployed capital are different things — and the gap between them is where most regional initiatives lose momentum.
Sources: Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Trend, 28 August 2026; 500 Global.