Starting in 2026, a new large field is opening up for finding and “launching” ideas with high potential for becoming startups: the “Most Innovative Idea” republican competition will be held annually. Initiatives with a solid idea, a realistic solution, and a chance to enter the market will be selected through this competition.
According to the resolution, the competition will be organized in state higher education institutions. Most importantly, the winners will be allocated a grant of 100 million soums. The republican stage is scheduled to be held in 10 areas. So, this is not just “talking”: each area will have its own competition, its own opportunities.
The issue of the prize is also significant: the total prize fund of the competition is set at 10 billion soums, and this amount will be covered by the Fund for Financing Science and Innovation Support. That is, the risk of not finding “travel expenses” for your idea will decrease - the system itself will give impetus.
In addition, from September 1, 2026, the “Higher Education Institutions - Startup Generator” program will be gradually introduced in higher education institutions. The philosophy of this program is simple: the university does not just issue diplomas, it creates startups.
Within the framework of the program, student accelerators will be created at universities in collaboration with IT parks and venture funds. It is also planned to establish internship and exchange programs for students with prestigious international accelerators and universities - that is, a global “focus” will be added to local ideas.
One of the most interesting aspects: higher education institutions will be given the right to invest their own funds in promising startup projects of students and researchers through incubation centers and student accelerators, in the amount of up to 20 thousand US dollars per project. This means that “the university will also become an investor”: if it believes in the project, it will support it in a timely manner.
Another practical step: the positions of “startup manager” and “startup tracker” will be introduced in accelerators. Simply put, people will appear who are responsible for monitoring, accelerating and leading to results so that ideas do not “get lost”.
The bottom line is: 2026 is not about talking about startups, but about doing startups. If someone has an idea, but lacks the right roadmap, grant and acceleration environment, then a big effort is underway to fill that gap. For the youth of Uzbekistan, this chance should not be left for “tomorrow” - the competition will be fierce, but a strong idea will always find its way.
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