IT Park Uzbekistan and GDIN Expand Cooperation in Startup Development and International Market Access

IT Park Uzbekistan and the Global Digital Innovation Network (GDIN) are expanding cooperation in startup support, helping technology companies enter the markets of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea, and implementing joint international projects.

As part of a working meeting, Minister of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sherzod Shermatov and Executive Director of IT Park Uzbekistan Jakhongir Radjabov held talks with JongKap Kim, President and CEO of the Global Digital Innovation Network (GDIN). 

The event also featured the opening ceremony of the IT Park Uzbekistan Liaison Office in the Republic of Korea, located at Pangyo Technovalley technology cluster in Seongnam. Established in cooperation with GDIN, the office will serve as a platform for direct engagement with Korean technology companies, startups, investors, and other participants in the innovation ecosystem. Daniyar Atadjanov was appointed as the official representative of IT Park Uzbekistan in the Republic of Korea.

Representatives of both sides delivered welcoming remarks and presented the activities of their respective organizations. GDIN Executive Director Sokjin Chang introduced the organization’s key areas of activity, after which the IT Park Uzbekistan team presented the opportunities offered by Uzbekistan’s technology ecosystem and the conditions available for international business development.

Daniyar Atadjanov outlined the main areas of activity of the new office, including engagement with the local technology community, attracting Korean companies to Uzbekistan, and supporting Uzbek technology projects in entering the Korean market.

One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IT Park Uzbekistan and GDIN. The document provides for cooperation in startup support, the international scaling of technology companies, and the development of practical mechanisms for collaboration between the innovation ecosystems of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea.

Under the partnership, the sides plan to implement joint initiatives, including the establishment of Joint Ventures (JVs), market-entry programs for companies expanding internationally, startup exchange programs between the two countries, joint pilot projects, and further cooperation in artificial intelligence and R&D.

IT Park Uzbekistan will also join GDIN’s partner network, which will help expand direct engagement between Uzbek and Korean technology companies.

Uzbek Startups Entering the Republic of Korea Market

Particular attention was given to the launch of the first Proof of Concept (PoC) initiative for Uzbek startups in the Republic of Korea under the Korea–Uzbekistan Global PoC Program.

The program will enable startups to test their technology solutions directly in the Korean market, receive feedback from potential partners and customers, assess market demand for their products, and prepare for further scaling.

The sides also discussed the establishment of joint ventures involving companies from both countries. At the initial stage, the parties plan to prepare three JV projects and one PoC program, with their launch scheduled for January 2027.

New Connections with the Republic of Korea’s Technology Ecosystem

The event also included a networking session with representatives of Korea’s technology, investment, education, and business communities.

Representatives of KOIIA, Inpro, KPMG, Ezcure, Korea IT Consulting, KDDI Korea, Neural D, Yonsei University, ARTYZ Korea Inc., WISESTONE, Prototie, and SaferZone joined the discussions.

Participants discussed potential areas of cooperation, opportunities for companies to enter the markets of both countries, the launch of joint projects, and the development of direct business ties between technology companies in Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea.

Cooperation with GDIN and the activities of the new IT Park Uzbekistan office create additional opportunities for attracting Korean technology companies to Uzbekistan, expanding startup exchanges, launching joint pilot projects, and strengthening cooperation in AI and R&D.

The Global Digital Innovation Network (GDIN) was established in 2013 and supports international cooperation between innovative technology companies from the Republic of Korea and other countries, as well as their expansion into global markets. Since its establishment, GDIN has supported more than 3,000 technology companies, facilitated 160 international partnerships, provided over 20,000 consulting services, and helped companies attract approximately USD 3.6 billion in investment. 

The signed memorandum and the opening of the Liaison Office provide a practical foundation for Uzbek startups to enter the Korean market, attract Korean companies to Uzbekistan, launch joint ventures, and test technology solutions through PoC programs, while further strengthening ties between the innovation ecosystems of the two countries.