The “Startup Initiatives” programme is being implemented since 2016 and aimed at supporting young and innovative people in creating their own startups and developing further their entrepreneurial skills.

On 19 September 2019 “Startup Initiatives” programme started accepting applications throughout Uzbekistan to the fourth cycle of youth startup support programme. The latter is a product of joint activities of the UNDP Uzbekistan and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and this year the fourth cycle is being implemented by the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations (MELR) in partnership with Youth Union of Uzbekistan, IT-Park and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan under the "Promoting Youth Employment in Uzbekistan" joint project with UNDP funded by the Russian Federation.

This year, in addition to knowledge and experience of developing startups, best projects will have access to customers data and promotion channels of programme corporate partners such as Eastlink, and Uzconstructionmaterials, and will receive grants for implementing their projects.

According to Mr. Usmon Rakhimjanov, coordinator of Startup Initiatives, based on the experience of previous cycles of the programme, the focus will be made on closer work with teams of selected startup projects, organizing consultative meetings with experts and mentors, and attracting trackers to support teams in the implementation of startup projects. Experts will advise on validation of project ideas, testing value propositions and project hypotheses, developing an MVP (minimum workable product), developing project business models, searching selling channels and preparing presentation for investors.

This year trainings courses and master classes for startup teams are expected to be held in Fergana, Kashkadarya and Samarkand regions and in the Republic of Karakalpakstan in addition to Tashkent region. Up to 20 projects are expected to be selected in each of these locations.

Teams with most successful projects will have a chance to present the results of their work to potential investors at the “Demo Day”. Best startup projects will be awarded with prizes and grant funding for the implementation of their startups.

“Startup Initiatives” is implemented in line with the Presidential Resolution issued on May 24, 2017 No. PP-3001 to provide employment for graduates of professional colleges, academic lyceums and higher education institutions.

The deadline for applications is October 6, 2019. Don’t miss your chance!

More information on the programme is available on our Facebook page and on Telegram channel and http://startup.mehnat.uz.

Contact Information: +998 90 317-39-59 Usmon Rakhimdjanov, Task Manager on promoting youth entrepreneurship, “Promoting Youth Employment in Uzbekistan”

Website: https://bit.ly/2mhP7hN