Uzbekistan has reached a remarkable milestone in its digital and economic transformation. In the StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026, the country jumped 19 places to reach 79th place worldwide — its best result ever recorded.
Political Momentum Behind the Digital Economy
The achievement didn’t come out of nowhere. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has clearly made the development of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and the domestic startup scene a priority in recent months. In April, he visited the IT Park complex in Fergana to see firsthand the conditions created for young entrepreneurs and innovative projects. During a separate visit to the IT Park in Tashkent, he was presented with initiatives aimed at broadly integrating AI technologies into ministries, government agencies, and various sectors of the economy — alongside the announcement of key strategic priorities for the sector’s continued growth.
Another highlight was the joint appearance of President Mirziyoyev and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the nationwide “National AI Hackathon” held in Bukhara — a further concrete step toward strengthening the region’s AI ecosystem and supporting technology startups.
Record Growth and International Recognition
The numbers speak for themselves: according to StartupBlink, Uzbekistan’s startup ecosystem posted an impressive annual growth rate of +227.3% — the highest figure in the entire 2026 ranking. This achievement earned the country the title “Country of the Year 2026” for having the world’s fastest-growing startup ecosystem.
Looking at the ranking trajectory over recent years shows just how fast this momentum has built:
- 2023 — 111th place
- 2024 — 110th place
- 2025 — 98th place
- 2026 — 79th place
Overall, Uzbekistan has climbed 32 positions since 2023 — a steady and accelerating upward trend.
Tashkent as a Regional Growth Engine
Progress is also visible at the city level. The report highlights Central Asia as the fastest-growing startup subregion in the world, with Tashkent identified as one of the main drivers. The capital recorded growth of +155.7%, making it one of the region’s fastest-growing cities. Globally, Tashkent rose to 121st place, entering the world’s top 300 startup cities for the first time. Samarkand and Fergana also entered the global top 1000 for the first time.
Reforms Are Paying Off
These results are the outcome of systematic reforms: expanded opportunities for young entrepreneurs, growth of the IT Park ecosystem, improved startup infrastructure, and more attractive investment conditions. The goal is to strengthen the innovation economy, support digital entrepreneurship, attract international investment, and open up broader technological opportunities for young people.
The StartupBlink Index itself is considered one of the world’s most authoritative rankings for assessing startup ecosystems and technological entrepreneurship. It is compiled in cooperation with platforms such as Crunchbase and Semrush, along with more than 100 government and ecosystem organizations worldwide.
With its jump to 79th place and the “Country of the Year” title, Uzbekistan is reinforcing its ambition to establish itself as one of Central Asia’s most dynamic innovation hubs — and given the current political priorities, this growth story is likely far from over.