Grace Ashiru
Uzbekistan’s largest venture studio, Startup Garage, has officially launched a new venture studio in Casablanca, marking the first expansion of a Central Asian venture studio into North Africa, the company announced.
This expansion follows Startup Garage’s participation in the GITEX Africa tech and startup show in Morocco.
Originally founded to support early-stage startups across all 14 regions of Uzbekistan, Startup Garage’s model integrates strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to capital to fast-track entrepreneurial growth.
With its new hub in Casablanca, alongside an existing international location in Doha, Qatar, the company aims to serve as a cross-border platform for Central Asian startups looking to expand into global markets.
“Uzbekistan’s rapidly expanding startup ecosystem is producing tech solutions that are in high demand internationally,” said Muhammad Khalil, the founder of Startup Garage. “Our international presence at Startup Garage is specifically designed to help Uzbek startups bridge the gap and take their ideas to the global stage. GITEX being hosted in Morocco underscores the growing trend of startup hubs emerging in developing markets, and we are optimistic that collaborating with our North African colleagues will prove mutually beneficial.”
This expansion comes at a time when Uzbekistan is intensifying efforts to position itself as a regional hub for technology and innovation.
In recent years, the Uzbek government has made strides in supporting digital transformation, relaxing regulatory barriers for startups, and encouraging foreign investment.
Since its founding, Startup Garage has incubated over 150 startups, with more than 10 of them securing external investments exceeding $2 million.
The Casablanca venture studio will focus on forming partnerships with local investors, accelerators, and entrepreneurs across the MENA region, providing Uzbek startups with access to regional markets while also attracting North African ventures interested in expanding into Central Asia.
Sukhrob Gaybulloev, managing partner at AloqaVentures—the primary investor in Startup Garage—described the move as a strategic step toward scaling Uzbekistan’s innovation potential.
“We are thrilled to support this exciting venture and are confident that Startup Garage will serve as a launchpad for some of Uzbekistan’s most promising startups. The innovations emerging here have the potential to create meaningful change and position Uzbekistan as a leading innovation hub,” he said.
