BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 18. Uzbekistan’s IT
Park and South Korean startup accelerator and venture capital firm
SparkLabs Inc. have signed an agreement to launch an acceleration
program for Uzbek startups seeking to enter the South Korean
market.


This was reflected in the statement by the Ministry of Digital
Technologies of Uzbekistan, following talks between Uzbek Deputy
Digital Technologies Minister Jamol Makhsudov, IT Park Uzbekistan
Executive Director Jahongir Rajabov and SparkLabs co-founder
Bernard Moon.


The joint acceleration program is scheduled to launch in the
fourth quarter of 2026 and will focus on selecting and preparing
promising Uzbek technology startups for expansion into South
Korea.


“The program will create additional opportunities for Uzbek
startups to gain international expertise, connect with investors
and venture organizations, and enter the South Korean market,” IT
Park said.


The sides discussed the startup selection process, the format of
the acceleration program and opportunities for participants to
establish connections with South Korea’s broader venture
ecosystem.


Under the program, Uzbek startups will receive support in
entering the Korean market and gain access to potential investors
and venture capital organizations, including TIPS and Mirae Asset,
as well as other participants in the country’s investment
ecosystem.







The agreement provides for cooperation in identifying promising
technology projects, preparing startups for international expansion
and facilitating their entry into the South Korean market.


The parties also discussed expanding cooperation through
international technology events. Moon is expected to participate in
ICT Week Uzbekistan 2026.


The partnership with SparkLabs is intended to give Uzbek
startups access to international expertise, mentoring and business
contacts while creating additional opportunities to attract
investment and expand into foreign markets.


SparkLabs, founded in Seoul in 2012, is a South Korean startup
accelerator and venture capital firm focused on seed- and
early-stage companies. The firm provides investment, acceleration
and mentorship and supports startups seeking to enter international
markets. According to the company, SparkLabs has supported and
invested in more than 320 startups and operates inbound and
outbound programs connecting international technology projects with
the South Korean market and Korean startups with overseas
markets.