IT Park Uzbekistan presented the new season of the President Tech Award and President AI Award

IT Park Uzbekistan announced the start of a new season of the President Tech Award — the country’s largest technology competition — and the launch of a new national artificial intelligence competition, the President AI Award.

The official presentation of the programs took place on July 1 as part of the large-scale event Powering the Startup Ecosystem, held at the Congress Hall of the Ministry of Digital Technologies.

Both competitions will serve as key tools for state support of technology entrepreneurship, providing startups with the opportunity to receive grants, investments, expert guidance, and access to international markets.

Azamat Karamatov, CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan

The development of these competitions is supported by the state and is part of a consistent policy aimed at fostering innovation and the digital economy.

In recent years, the President Tech Award, initiated by the President of the country, has become one of the main platforms for the development of technology projects in the country.

As a result of 2025, the competition attracted more than 6,000 participants and 862 startup teams, nearly doubling the figures from the previous season.

Throughout its history, the President Tech Award has brought together more than 13,000 participants, while winning projects have collectively created over 400 jobs, entered international markets, and continue to attract foreign investment. In the new season, by order of the Head of State, the competition’s prize fund has been increased from $1 million to $5 million.

Funding will be distributed as follows:

— $1 million — non-repayable grants for the best projects

— $4 million — venture investments for further scaling of startups.

The competition includes three tracks:

1. Incubation — a product development program for early-stage teams. Participants work on their projects with support from international mentors. At the end of the program, 25 winners will be selected based on rankings and will receive grants totaling $1 million.

2. Acceleration — for startups in the active growth phase, where teams focus on scaling their products. $1.5 million in investments from IT Park Ventures is allocated for 15 startups that achieve the highest results by the end of the acceleration program.

3. Best Startup Project — 10 verticals in which the best projects will compete for victory and receive investments totaling $2.5 million from IT Park Ventures. Winners will be determined by an international jury.

In 2026, Uzbekistan will launch for the first time a specialized competition entirely dedicated to artificial intelligence technologies. The President AI Award aims to become a new state platform for identifying, supporting, and accelerating AI startups that offer practical solutions for the economy and social sectors.

The competition is focused on projects based on artificial intelligence technologies capable of solving real-world challenges in five strategic areas:

— public administration
— industry and entrepreneurship
— healthcare and medicine
— education
— green economy and agrotechnologies.

After the selection stage, 25 startups will be accepted into the acceleration program — five projects from each track. Participants will have the opportunity to refine their solutions together with mentors and experts, prepare for pitching, present their projects to investors and partners, and enhance the visibility of their AI developments at the national level.

The total investment fund for the President AI Award is $1 million. Funding will be distributed among 15 winners across five tracks. Each track is allocated $200,000:

— first place — $100,000
— second place — $60,000

— third place — $40,000

Funds will be provided in the form of investment in two stages — upon achievement of approved KPIs.

To apply for participation and review the competition conditions, visit the official portal awards.gov.uz.