ALMATY, Kazakhstan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 19, 2025--
Research by RISE Research, EA Group, MA7 Ventures, BGlobal Ventures, KPMG, and Dealroom.co shows Central Asia's venture capital market grew 7% to $95 million in 2024. The region now hosts over 1,800 startups and more than 100 active investors, representing significant ecosystem growth over the past five years.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250319550326/en/
Kazakhstan leads with 74% of regional investments, attracting $71 million in 2024 for a total startup valuation of $710 million. Deal sizes grew significantly, with 40% ranging from $200,000-$500,000, compared to 62% under $200,000 in 2021. Foreign investors contributed 53% of funding, coming from the USA, UAE, UK, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Estonia, and others. Twelve Kazakhstani venture funds hold $157 million collectively, with 32% already invested and 44% raised from high-net-worth individuals.
Uzbekistan's market grew 2.7 times to $17.5 million across 38 deals, with average deal size quadrupling to $460,000. Local investors provided 52% of funding, while international investment decreased by 11% compared to 2023. Five new venture funds launching in Q1 2025 signal increasing activity, though the market remains focused on early-stage investments.
Kyrgyzstan attracted $1.7 million with 19% annual growth since 2022. Women-founded startups were prominent, accounting for one-third of deals but two-thirds of investment volume. While accelerators and hubs made the most deals (50%), venture funds (mostly foreign) provided 66% of capital, highlighting the importance of international connections.
Tajikistan reached $4.6 million in venture financing, focusing on halal fintech and AI credit scoring models, supported by tax incentives for startups in IT Park Dushanbe and a new $5 million fund. This represents the country's first significant steps in developing venture investment infrastructure.
Leading sectors across the region include AI, fintech, educational and medical technologies. However, later-stage funding remains scarce, pushing startups toward international markets. Currently, Central Asian founders have established 200+ startups in the USA, 50+ in the UK, and 20+ in the UAE.
Analysts predict continued growth and integration into the global ecosystem in coming years.
The study is available at the following link.
Research by RISE Research, EA Group, MA7 Ventures, BGlobal Ventures, KPMG, and Dealroom.co
KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia (AP) — Olympic champion Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won the first World Cup giant slalom since the Winter Games on Saturday to put pressure on Marco Odermatt for the season-long title.
Pinheiro Braathen protected his first-run lead to finish 0.54 seconds ahead of Olympic bronze medalist Loïc Meillard. Stefan Brennsteiner was third, 0.80 back.
Pinheiro Braathen’s historic gold-medal win for Brazil last month pushed Odermatt down to silver, and he is the Swiss star’s closest challenger in the season-long giant slalom standings.
“I’m just skiing with a lot of happiness, a lot of joy,” said Pinheiro Braathen, who was runner-up in the three World Cup giant slaloms before the Olympics.
Odermatt placed fifth Saturday, 1.33 back, and Pinheiro Braathen’s 100 points for the win cut the Swiss star’s lead in the World Cup giant slalom standings to 48 with one race left.
The discipline title will be decided March 25 at the season-ending race at Hafjell, Norway. Odermatt is the four-time defending champion.
Odermatt also is chasing a fifth straight overall World Cup title which he already effectively won.
He is 632 points ahead of Pinheiro Braathen with eight scheduled races left, though no rival who can theoretically catch him competes in all disciplines.
AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing
Austria's Stefan Brennsteiner competes during an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom, in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Pier Marco Tacca)
Switzerland's Marco Odermatt checks his time at the finish area of an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom, in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)
Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, center, winner of an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom, celebrates on the podium, in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)
Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen celebrates on the podium after winning an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom, in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)
Croatia's Filip Zubcic competes during an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom, in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)
Austria's Stefan Brennsteiner competes during an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom, in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)
Switzerland's Loic Meillard competes during an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom, in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)
Switzerland's Marco Odermatt competes during an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom, in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Pier Marco Tacca)
Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen competes during an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom, in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)
