Coozin — a startup that creates opportunities for micro-entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan

Laziz Iskandarov, City — Tashkent, CEO, Linkedin

How It All Started

I am the CEO of Coozin, a platform created to support micro-entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals. My professional experience in project management and the development of technological solutions enabled me to create a product that combines e-commerce and technological infrastructure to scale businesses.

The idea for Coozin arose from the need to remove barriers that women face when entering the e-commerce market. The lack of accessible tools and support for scaling their businesses became the main motivator for creating a platform that solves these problems and provides opportunities for growth.

This idea evolved through a deep analysis of market needs. The "aha moment" came when we realized we could create an entire ecosystem that not only helps women enter the market but also contributes to their professional development through digital tools, expanding their entrepreneurial opportunities.

We started with a deep market analysis and identifying the needs of our target audience. The first step was developing a mobile application for selling products. We tested our idea on a small group of users to identify key barriers and determine growth points. Then, we developed a business plan adapted to local conditions, which allowed us to effectively enter the market.

The Team

We brought professionals with the necessary skills into the team, as well as people who share our passion for creating a meaningful product. Every team member had to support our vision of a platform that promotes small business and social change. We looked for those who believe in the product and are ready to develop it together with us.

Target Audience

Our target audience consists of office employees who need a convenient and high-quality solution for ordering business lunches. We also create opportunities for self-employed cooks and vendors who can sell their products through our platform.

Coozin helps self-employed women overcome barriers to entering the e-commerce market by providing them with a platform to scale their businesses. Our platform supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including gender equality, economic growth, and responsible consumption.

Currently, our product is used by more than 5,000 clients, and we plan to increase this number tenfold in the near future.

Incubation Programs

We participated in a partnership project with the Coca-Cola Foundation. We were provided with resources and support for expansion. This collaboration accelerated the development of the platform and opened up new opportunities for scaling.

In the early stages, we used funding obtained through partnerships with foundations and large organizations, such as the Coca-Cola Foundation.

Challenges

One of the key challenges is the integration of payment systems and logistics. To solve this problem, we collaborate with local logistics and financial companies. This ensures fast and secure order fulfillment for users. We also adapted business processes to meet the needs of different user groups.

We continue to face issues related to scaling operational processes, especially in regions. This concerns managing service quality and logistics. We are just beginning our expansion into Samarkand and Tajikistan, and it is important for us to build an efficient supply chain and establish interaction with partners to ensure a high level of service.

Achievements

A key achievement was participating in the CNN Made In Uzbekistan program. This brought attention to our project on the international stage and strengthened our position as one of the leaders in the e-commerce market. Thanks to this, new opportunities for partnerships and further scaling opened up for us.

Plans

By the end of the year, we plan to increase the number of platform users and sellers, aiming to reach 7,500 orders per day, as well as expand corporate offerings for the business segment.

We continue to develop data analysis and planning improvement tools that will help users make informed decisions and increase the efficiency of their businesses.