Digital technologies today are creating broad opportunities for women entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses and startups and enter new markets. In Uzbekistan, particular attention is being paid to enhancing women's digital skills and encouraging the effective use of modern technologies in entrepreneurial activity.

Under the She's Next, Empowered by Visa initiative, advanced digital technologies and innovative approaches are being combined with practical support for women's entrepreneurship. The initiative's main objective is to help women entrepreneurs and startup founders integrate modern technologies, including artificial intelligence solutions, into their projects, improve business efficiency and competitiveness, and build a strong community of women actively engaged in the digital economy.

Launched in Uzbekistan for the first time in April 2026, the initiative brought together more than 5,000 women entrepreneurs from across the country's regions.

Registered participants were directed to a dedicated training stage, during which they enhanced their knowledge and skills in areas such as entrepreneurship, marketing, financial planning, and business development through video lessons. Tests were held at the end of each module to reinforce participants' learning.

Participants who successfully completed the training course prepared business plans and presented them to a panel of experts. The 30 finalists with the highest scores were invited to Tashkent to defend their projects before a panel of judges.

The judging panel included representatives of Visa and Ipak Yuli Bank, as well as experienced members of the business community. During the final stage, the She's Next Pitch Day, participants presented their business ideas, development strategies, and market potential.

Based on the final results, the authors of the seven best projects in the "Existing Business," "Early-Stage Business," and "IT Business" categories received cash grants with a combined value of $22,000 to support the growth of their businesses.

Existing Business
1st place — Maftuna Mutallibkhojaeva — $6,000
2nd place — Nigorakhon Kodirova — $4,000
3rd place — Fotima Bazarbaeva — $2,000
Early-Stage Business
1st place — Mohinur Okhnorova — $4,000
2nd place — Nargiza Makhmudova — $2,000
3rd place — E'zoza Mirsaotova — $1,000

IT Business
Winner — Sevinch Makhmudova — $3,000

The implementation of the initiative in Uzbekistan is creating additional opportunities to expand women's participation in digital technologies and innovation, enhance their modern knowledge and skills, and develop entrepreneurial projects based on new technologies.

Initiatives of this kind serve not only to provide financial and educational support to women entrepreneurs, but also to facilitate the exchange of experience among them, establish new partnerships, and shape a new generation of leaders in the digital economy.