FAQ
What people ask about UzCombinator — the programme, applying, selection and Demo Day — answered in full.
What is UzCombinator?
UzCombinator (also written "UZ Combinator" or, for short, "UZC" — all three are the same organisation) is a startup accelerator in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It runs a 45-day intensive programme that takes an early-stage company to the point where an investor wants to see it: a weekly goal and a weekly mentor who has built a company themselves, a $1,000 stipend, first customers, and a Demo Day in front of investors who write cheques. The programme is run with the support of the Youth Affairs Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan and in partnership with the Yoshlar Ventures fund.
How do I get into UzCombinator?
You apply online at https://uzcombinator.uz/apply — no pitch deck; the form asks you to write what you are building in your own words and takes about ten minutes. Shortlisted teams are invited to a 30-minute face-to-face interview. UzCombinator selects the person who will do it rather than the idea, so the founders themselves are the main criterion. Accepted teams then join the 45-day programme (six weeks), pitch at Demo Day, and stay in the community afterwards. Applications for Batch 3 are open now: until 31 October, 48 days left.
How selective is UzCombinator? What is the acceptance rate?
Across its 2 completed batches UzCombinator received 5,036 applications and accepted 56 startups — an acceptance rate of about 1.1%, roughly one team in 90. By batch: Batch 1: 1,453 applications, 29 accepted; Batch 2: 3,583 applications, 27 accepted.
What does the UzCombinator programme include?
Forty-five days, structured as six weeks with one goal each: by Friday there has to be something to show. Every team gets a $1,000 stipend so the six weeks go to the product, not the rent; one-to-one sessions with a mentor who has built a company; a room shared with the other selected teams; preparation for the stage; and Demo Day, where the audience is investors. After the programme the door stays open — the community of 56 startups, coaches and investors, and help with the next round.
What is UzCombinator Demo Day, and what were the results?
Demo Day is the closing day of each batch: every startup gets three minutes on stage in front of a room of investors. At the Batch 1 Demo Day, 16 startups raised investment on the day — $975,000 in total, with the largest single cheque $150,000 — in front of about 1,000 guests.
Who founded UzCombinator?
UzCombinator was founded by Ulug'bek Ismatov, Laylo Ismailova and Murodillo Ismailov, who lead it as co-founders. The full team — programme managers, the CTO, research and design — is listed at https://uzcombinator.uz/team.
Who are UzCombinator's partners?
UzCombinator works with 22 partners: Yoshlar ishlari agentligi and Yoshlar Ventures — the state agency and the fund the programme runs with — plus venture funds, angel clubs, accelerators, a technopark and companies from Uzbekistan's startup ecosystem. The full list, with each partner's role, is at https://uzcombinator.uz/partners.
How many startups are in the UzCombinator portfolio?
56 startups from 2 batches. Every company, with its sector and founders, is on the portfolio wall at https://uzcombinator.uz/portfolio.
Where is UzCombinator, and how do I contact it?
UzCombinator is in Tashkent, Uzbekistan — Shaykhantakhur district, Alisher Navoiy street, 11A. Write to info@uzcombinator.uz, or to global@uzcombinator.uz about partnerships; the contact form is at https://uzcombinator.uz/contact. UzCombinator is on Telegram (t.me/uzcombinator), Instagram (@uzcombinator.uz) and LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/uzcombinator).