Singapore-based Golden Gate Ventures has launched its Uzbekistan office, in a move to help technology companies in its Middle East – North Africa (MENA) portfolio expand to the country and the broader region.

In a statement on Thursday, Golden Gate Ventures said the new office opening is a partnership with the Uzbek-Oman Investment Company (UzOman). The expansion is conducted by the firm’s Qatar-based MENA fund, focusing on fintech, artificial intelligence, alternative energy, and deep tech. The Uzbekistan office marks the fund’s first dedicated presence in Central Asia.

The office was unveiled at the fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF) in Uzebekistan. The forum, under the “Investment Resilience: New Frontiers, New Partnerships” theme, is Central Asia’s premier gathering for global investors, drawing thousands of delegates from around the world to Tashkent.

The initiative combines Golden Gate Ventures’ investment operations based in the Qatar Financial Centre with UzOman’s local market presence. It reflects increasing institutional investor interest in Uzbekistan’s technology sector and early-stage investment vehicles, according to the statement.

Golden Gate Ventures said it plans to focus on sectors including fintech, B2B artificial intelligence, e-commerce, logistics, clean energy and other technology-driven industries.

A key component of the expansion is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Golden Gate Ventures and IT Park, Uzbekistan’s technology hub, along with its venture arm, IT Park Ventures. The agreement provides a framework for entrepreneurship programs, startup pipeline development, and co-investment in Uzbek startups.

Michael Lints, Founding Partner MENA at Golden Gate Ventures, said the company plans to utilize its Qatar base to connect founders in Central Asia with capital, customers and talent across the MENA region. The partnership with IT Park and UzOman would support both local startups and MENA-based companies seeking to enter Central Asian markets, the executive added.

Omar Bahram, CEO of Uzbek-Oman Investment Company, said the firm’s participation in the fund can provide exposure to early-stage technology companies in Uzbekistan. The agreement between Golden Gate Ventures, IT Park and IT Park Ventures would support the development of the local startup ecosystem, the executive highlighted.

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