Uzbekistan’s largest venture studio, Startup Garage, has launched a venture studio in Casablanca, marking the first such Central Asian expansion into North Africa, the company has announced.

The move follows Startup Garage's appearance at tech and startup show GITEX Africa in Morocco.

Founded to support early-stage startups across Uzbekistan’s 14 regions, Startup Garage’s model combines strategic support, mentorship and access to capital to accelerate entrepreneurial growth. 

With its Casablanca hub, and an existing international outpost in Doha, Qatar, the company aims to serve as a cross-border launchpad for Central Asian startups targeting global markets.

“Uzbekistan’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem is providing technology solutions that are in demand around the world,” said Muhammad Khalil, founder of Startup Garage. “Startup Garage’s international presence is designed to help Uzbek startups bridge the gap and take their concepts global! GITEX being hosted in Morocco is a testament to the growing trend of startup hubs in emerging markets, and we believe cross collaboration with our colleagues in North Africa will be mutually beneficial.”

The studio’s expansion comes amid growing efforts by Uzbekistan to position itself as a regional technology and innovation hub. 

In recent years, the Uzbek government has signalled increasing support for digital transformation, easing regulatory pathways for startups and promoting foreign investment.

To date, Startup Garage has incubated more than 150 startups, over 10 of which have attracted external investment exceeding $2mn. 

The Casablanca venture studio will focus on building partnerships with local investors, accelerators and entrepreneurs in the MENA region, facilitating access to regional markets for Uzbek startups while also attracting North African ventures interested in Central Asia.

Sukhrob Gaybulloev, managing partner at AloqaVentures—the primary investor in Startup Garage—said the move represented a strategic step in scaling up Uzbekistan’s innovation potential. 

“We’re delighted to support this exciting venture and confident that Startup Garage will become a launchpad for some of the country’s most promising startups. The ideas developed here have the potential to drive real impact and position Uzbekistan as a hub for innovation.”