Startup Garage, Uzbekistan's premier venture studio, is expanding its presence to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with a new office in Doha, Qatar. This marks the first Central Asian venture to establish in MENA, strengthening ties between the two regions and unlocking new opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Founded by Muhammad Khalil, Startup Garage has been the leading venture studio in the country, having established a presence across 14 regions in Uzbekistan in only eight months. The venture provides aspiring entrepreneurs with mentorship, funding, and strategic guidance backed by Aloqa Ventures. By expanding to the Middle East, Startup Garage aims to serve as a gateway for Uzbek startups to access MENA's thriving markets, while also facilitating MENA-based startups looking to expand into Central Asia.
“This expansion represents a pivotal step in bridging Uzbekistan and the MENA region,” said Muhammad Khalil, Founder of Startup Garage. “Uzbekistan has a rapidly growing startup ecosystem, supported by strong government initiatives, a favourable policy environment, and increasing investor confidence. By entering MENA, we are creating a two-way channel for innovation, investment, and market expansion. Our mission is to provide startups with the resources they need to scale, whether in Tashkent, Doha, or beyond.”
Startup Garage, backed by Aloqa Ventures - also known as "Youth Bank" under a new presidential initiative - is driving Uzbekistan's startup ecosystem forward with a $200 million commitment to youth-led ventures. The initiative has already supported over 100 local startups, with 10 in the process of securing external funding and 3 receiving commitments nearing $1 million. Now, in line with the latest presidential directive, resident startups will have access to investments of up to $10,000 to accelerate their growth, further expanding Startup Garage's impact.
Sukhrob Gaybulloev, Managing Partner at AloqaVentures said, “We believe that Startup Garage's expansion into MENA will open up unprecedented opportunities for startups from both regions, we see immense potential in fostering collaboration between Uzbekistan and MENA, and we are excited to support this initiative that will drive regional innovation and economic growth.”
With this expansion, Startup Garage will focus on incubating more high-potential startups, launching regional accelerator programs, and forging partnerships with investors, government agencies, and corporate entities in the MENA region.
About Startup Garage
Startup Garage is Uzbekistan's first venture studio, dedicated to empowering startups by providing strategic support, mentorship, and access to capital. With a strong presence across 14 regions in Uzbekistan, the company has played a key role in nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs. By expanding into MENA, Startup Garage aims to facilitate cross-border startup growth, investment, and technological collaboration between Central Asia and the Middle East.
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