Expansion of Startup Garage into North Africa with the Launch of a New Venture Studio in Casablanca
Startup Garage, the largest venture studio in Uzbekistan, has made a strategic move to expand its operations into North Africa by launching a new venture studio in Casablanca, Morocco. This expansion marks the first time a Central Asian venture studio has ventured into North Africa, and it's part of Startup Garage's mission to tap into the emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region [1].
The venture studio's model, which has proven successful in Uzbekistan, involves supporting startups with capital, expertise, and infrastructure. By replicating this approach in Casablanca, Startup Garage aims to foster local startup growth, create cross-regional synergies, and extend its network and influence beyond Central Asia into Africa's promising markets [1].
Muhammad Khalil, the founder of Startup Garage, stated that the expansion is designed to help Uzbek startups bridge the gap and take their ideas to the global stage [2]. The new hub in Casablanca will serve as a cross-border platform for Central Asian startups looking to expand into global markets [3].
The Casablanca venture studio will also focus on forming partnerships with local investors, accelerators, and entrepreneurs across the MENA region. This strategic move is intended to provide Uzbek startups with access to regional markets and attract North African ventures interested in expanding into Central Asia [3].
Sukhrob Gaybulloev, the managing partner at AloqaVentures, which is the primary investor in Startup Garage, described the expansion as a strategic step toward scaling Uzbekistan's innovation potential. He believes that the expansion will help bridge the gap for Uzbek startups to take their ideas to the global stage [4].
This expansion comes at a time when Uzbekistan is intensifying efforts to position itself as a regional hub for technology and innovation. The Uzbek government has made strides in supporting digital transformation and relaxing regulatory barriers for startups [5]. Startup Garage originally supports early-stage startups across all 14 regions of Uzbekistan [6].
The move is also timely, as GITEX—a prominent technology event—is being hosted in Morocco, underscoring the growing trend of startup hubs emerging in developing markets [7]. With the addition of the Casablanca venture studio, Startup Garage now has two international locations: Doha, Qatar, and Casablanca, Morocco [8].
To date, Startup Garage has incubated over 150 startups, with more than 10 of them securing external investments exceeding $2 million [9]. The company's model integrates strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to capital to fast-track entrepreneurial growth [10]. The innovations emerging from Startup Garage have the potential to create meaningful change and position Uzbekistan as a leading innovation hub.
References: 1. Startup Garage Expands into North Africa 2. Muhammad Khalil on the Expansion 3. Official Press Release 4. Sukhrob Gaybulloev's Statement 5. Uzbekistan's Digital Transformation Efforts 6. Startup Garage's Domestic Support 7. GITEX in Morocco 8. Startup Garage's International Locations 9. Startup Garage's Successes 10. Startup Garage's Approach
- In line with its mission to expand its influence, Startup Garage, the successful venture studio from Uzbekistan, aims to introduce technology-driven startup ecosystem concepts to Casablanca's sports-centric culture, fostering the growth of innovative sports-related startups.
- Leveraging its proven model, Startup Garage intends to establish connections between North African sports and technology sectors, cultivating fruitful collaborations and supporting startups that aim to revolutionize the sports industry on a global scale.
