CAREC University Startup Generator 2024

CAREC University Startup Generator 2024 is calling all full-time university students from CAREC member countries to be part of CAREC region startup revolution! Join us to develop practical, entrepreneurial and soft skills while creating innovative solutions to tackle real-world social and corporate issues in the region. The event is supported by the Asian Development Bank and Republic of Korea e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund.

groups

Teams of
3 - 4 people

Trainers

Orientation and Understanding Regional Challenges and Opportunities

Irakli Kashibadze

Senior Regional Cooperation Specialist, CEO and Founder of Future Laboratory

Irakli Kashibadze is the CEO and Founder of Future Laboratory, Innovation consulting and management company. He is also the CEO and Founder of Startup Central Eurasia. Before founding Future Laboratory Irakli served as a first Chairman of the Georgia's Innovation and Technology Agency, also secretary general of the Council for Innovation and Education under the Prime Minister of Georgia. Irakli Kashibadze has demonstrated history of working in the information technology, telecommunication, and innovation industry. 10-year experience of working in Government on leading positions. The initiator of different state initiatives for Information Society, Innovation and Startup Ecosystem Development, and Broadband for All development.

Ideation

Medea Janjgava

Managing Director of Future Laboratory and Administrative Dean of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Master program at University of Georgia

Medea Janjghava is a seasoned expert in innovation and entrepreneurship, co-authoring the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program in collaboration with UC Berkeley SCET and the University of Georgia. As the Managing Director of Future Laboratory and Administrative Dean of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Master's Program, Medea has completed the UC Berkeley SCET entrepreneurship program management module in the Master program. Her experience extends to managing corporate and university acceleration programs, providing mentorship to startups, and overseeing the Innovation Center at the University of Georgia.

Business Models

Fan Zhao

Investment Expert, Director of Qifu Technology, Expert Mentor of Huidu Entrepreneurs Alliance and Shidonghui Association

Fan Zhao majored in engineering, studied science at the University of Copenhagen, and later pursued business in the United States. With a diverse education in engineering, science, and business from both the East and the West, he excels in philosophical approaches to business growth, models, opportunity evaluation, and innovation. He has extensive experience in multinational corporate management, overseeing significant investment projects and company operations. As a shareholder director, he has been involved in joint ventures worth hundreds of millions of dollars and successfully led several mergers and acquisitions.

Idea and Solution Validation

Shayan Yar

Managing Director, Oventures (Pakistan)

Shayan has over a decade of experience in innovation and entrepreneurship across Asia Pacific, South Asia and Middle East regions. He has mentored over 1,300 startups and have helped founders raise more than $20m in investments. He specializes in building organizations and businesses from scratch and taking them from 0 to 1. He has been instrumental in driving innovation ecosystems across MENAP and Asia Pacific, leading initiatives like DigiSkills Pakistan, Sydney Startup Hub, and the National Incubation Center. He is a Corporate Innovator, Venture Builder and Startup Coach.

Product Development

Aijan Alisherova

TA Lead in Accelerate Prosperity

Aijan Alisherova, an innovative TA Lead with 12 years of experience, has mentored over 50 Central Asian startups in the past three years. She holds an MBA from the American University in Central Asia and is a certified business growth tracker. Aijan has supported over 800 entrepreneurs and launched 20+ acceleration and incubation programs, overseeing technical development and procurement. She has also organized six hackathons to nurture young talent, demonstrating her commitment to the region's startup ecosystem.

Pitching and Fundraising

Shakhzod Umirzakov

CEO and Co-founder, TASS VISION; Vice-chairman at AI Advisory Council, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Shakhzod Umirzakov is the CEO and Co-founder of TASS VISION and Vice-chairman of the AI Advisory Council at Uzbekistan's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation. An accomplished entrepreneur and 500Global Alumnus (2023), he won the "Startups-Initiatives" award in Uzbekistan (2018) and the "DAR lab" competition in Central Asia (2019). Shakhzod has received prestigious awards from the President of Uzbekistan, including "Faol Tadbirkor" and "Kelajak Bunyodkori" in 2023. He is passionate about leveraging innovation for positive change and is dedicated to creating a future where creativity and determination drive transformative impact.