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

Dorothea C. Lazaro

Senior Regional Cooperation Specialist, Central and West Asia Department (CWRD), ADB

Dorothea C. Lazaro is a Senior Regional Cooperation Specialist at the Central and West Asia Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). She coordinates trade-related efforts under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program, focusing on trade policies, agreements, customs, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and cross-border economic zones. With over six years at ADB, she manages the CAREC Digital Strategy 2030 and the CAREC Integrated Trade Agenda 2030, while integrating climate change actions in trade. Previously, she held significant roles at the United Nations ESCAP and the ASEAN Secretariat, contributing to regional cooperation and sustainable development initiatives.

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.

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.

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.

Participate