Uzbekistan is poised to become a new hub for technology and entrepreneurship, asserts Izzat Shukurov, the head of Yandex Uzbekistan. The company believes that its mission extends beyond merely inspiring a new generation of IT specialists; it also aims to contribute to societal advancement through technological innovations and business support.
I do not believe in a business that merely sells. It is essential for me that it creates value. If you consider, “How can I make the city more accessible? How can I assist a mother with a stroller?” Then it is a different matter. It is about responsibility, about connecting with people. True value emerges when a product simplifies, enhances, and makes life more accessible for people. When you build an ecosystem rather than merely selling a service, you create something enduring— something that outlives you. With such a mindset, you develop an entirely different business. It is no longer about “buy-sell.” It is about how you influence the world.
When Yandex Uzbekistan began marking accessibility features on Yandex Maps, it was not a top-down initiative. It emerged from within the team. Someone noticed how mothers struggled to carry strollers up the stairs and decided that this should not be the case. Now, in partnership with the National Agency for Social Protection, we are enriching the map with data: where ramps are located, where they are absent, where entrances are wide enough for wheelchairs, and where elevators are available. Additionally, at the Agency’s initiative, a pilot project for social taxis has been launched in three cities across Uzbekistan. Children with disabilities can now travel to and from school via taxi, funded by a monthly transportation budget provided by the government. These rides can be booked through the Yandex Go app, with no service fees, ensuring that all government compensation goes directly to paying the drivers.
I believe that the youth of Uzbekistan is capable of competing with the best in the world. Our talents are persistent, ambitious, and eager for knowledge. I witness this every day in our company. The opportunities are immense, and we are on the brink of a breakthrough. My task? To ignite a spark and allow it to grow. Today, the country is witnessing the emergence of both governmental and private venture initiatives, with an increasing influx of capital. However, the number of startups remains relatively low. This is understandable: our risk appetite is still developing, and there are few high-profile success stories so far. Yet, this is merely a matter of time. The more IT companies and market expertise we cultivate, the greater the opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to test their potential. It is crucial to demonstrate that technology is not merely a profession but a chance to transform the world around us. It is an environment where learning is engaging, surrounded by like-minded individuals. Therefore, we are inundating the market with opportunities: from programming schools and development programs to internships and initiatives for educators, as well as competitions like the Yandex Cup.
It is essential for young people to perceive IT as an opportunity to create something tangible and meaningful that people truly use. The magic happens when a young coder sees their code in action – a button that thousands click on. To make this a reality, a comprehensive approach is necessary: from initial steps in schools to professional development in companies. The solution? Continuous education that brings together schools, universities, businesses, and the government. This concept is at the core of how we develop projects at Yandex Uzbekistan – step by step, in collaboration with our partners and team.
Mentorship is our trump card. When expert practitioners work with students, the effect is staggering. Add access to modern tools, like AI, and you are not just growing coders, but innovators. The hackathons we organize in several cities show that students are capable of developing prototypes solving real-world issues within a single day. Starting from November 2024, we have launched free online courses for computer science teachers in collaboration with the National Institute for Pedagogical Excellence, which will enable the training of up to 10,000 educators. The goal? To ensure that the entire ecosystem keeps pace with the speed of technology.
Equality. Women and men. Capital and regions. I do not categorize people based on these distinctions. In our team, women hold top positions. However, I recognize that society has yet to fully accept this, which is why support is crucial. Sponsoring the international STEM program Technovation Girls in Uzbekistan serves as an excellent example. Our team is assisting thousands of girls across the country in taking their first steps into the field of IT, helping them build self-confidence. This is the most important thing. Kids from the regions are not any less capable than those from the capital; it’s simply that opportunities are less frequently available to them. I want every boy and girl in Urgench or Nukus to know: “I can do it too.” The key factor is desire.
A mistake is not a failure; it is a stepping stone. If you did it wrong, try again. That is how competence grows. The most important thing is to not be afraid. We once built a startup from scratch. I remember the first time I saw a moving arrow on the map – because it was drawn by our specialist. It felt like a pure magic.
So many years have passed, yet I still see our country evolving. We have the opportunity to become a hub for IT, to provide the world with talent, while building all of this right here at home. I have friends who have moved abroad. They are working on impressive projects overseas. Some will return, while others will invest here – all of this is part of a larger process. The key is to ensure there is room for growth. I cannot say whether tomorrow will be perfect, but I am certain of one thing: we have made an effort to make it at least a bit better than yesterday. And therein lies the significance.
