In Uzbekistan, the first international private VC fund — DOMiNo Uzbekistan — has opened.

DOMiNO Ventures, a global venture fund headquartered in the Netherlands, announced the launch of the DOMiNO Uzbekistan Fund — the first international private venture fund in Uzbekistan with a target size of $20 million.

The DOMiNO Uzbekistan Fund will invest in startups in the fields of artificial intelligence, DeepTech, and CleanTech, supporting both early-stage and growth-stage projects while strengthening the local startup ecosystem in Central Asia. The fund will operate as a feeder fund alongside the global DOMiNO fund, providing Central Asian startups with access to global markets, international investors, and knowledge transfer.

In recent years, DOMiNO Ventures has strengthened its presence in Central Asia by investing in seven startups to highlight the region's global potential. The fund has also launched the BetterFuture Acceleration Program four times, helping early-stage startups find mentors and venture investors from around the world. DOMiNO will continue its strategy of developing the ecosystem in Central Asia, reinforcing the region's role on the global startup map.

The new fund was registered with IT Park Uzbekistan, the leading state-run tech park in Uzbekistan, to serve as a bridge between the country and global innovation ecosystems, attracting international co-investors and supporting local talent. The fund's priorities also include technology transfer and generating export revenue, which will strengthen Central Asia's position in the global innovation landscape.

UzVC, the country's first fund of funds managed by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, became the anchor investor in DOMiNO Ventures, investing $10 million. This step reflects strong government support in building a globally connected startup ecosystem.