Türkiye’s Take Off tech summit expands to Uzbekistan in June

Take Off, one of the region’s most prominent technology and startup gatherings, is expanding its global reach with an upcoming event in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, scheduled for 3‑4 June. Launched in 2018 under TEKNOFEST, the world’s largest aerospace and tech event, Take Off was spearheaded by the Türkiye Technology Team Foundation in partnership with the Turkish Industry and Technology Ministry. The summit has grown from a local showcase into a global launchpad, bringing together venture capital funds, corporate leaders, accelerators and startups from over 100 countries.

Strategic Shift to Central Asia

Organisers are taking the established ecosystem eastward, following previous locations such as Baku. The move to Samarkand marks a strategic shift towards unlocking Central Asia’s market, with Uzbekistan’s population of 38 million providing access to a broader regional market of over 80 million. The country’s youth‑driven, digitally‑oriented startup ecosystem has already attracted more than $550 million in investment in recent years. Turkish officials, the T3 Foundation and Uzbek diplomats promoted the event at a kick‑off at Istanbul’s historic Topkapı Palace.

Investor‑Entrepreneur Matchmaking

This year’s Take Off Samarkand, under the motto “where trade routes become innovation networks,” will go beyond regular networking by facilitating purpose‑built access for startups to connect directly with organisations seeking their specific solutions. The event will feature curated investor‑entrepreneur pitch meetings, tech panels and specialised collaboration areas designed to turn initial pitches into tangible financial outcomes. Applications are open until 30 April for tech startups worldwide to secure a spot and pitch their ideas directly to global investors.