While global startup shows like the Canadian-British Dragon’s Den, the American Shark Tank, or the Japanese Tigers of Money attract viewers with spectacular deals, Turkmenistan has its own approach to developing entrepreneurship, forming a unique national business ecosystem.

The latest startup competition under the inspiring name “Turkmenistan – a Country of Opportunities”, organized by the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan with the support of IE “Ojar Asia”, was held in Ashgabat and became an important milestone in the development of youth entrepreneurship.

A special feature of the competition was the breadth of topics covered: from environmental initiatives and digital solutions to social innovations. Unlike foreign formats focused on entertainment and commercial gain, the Turkmen model is distinguished by a serious approach, state support and a desire to solve pressing socio-economic problems.

A New Stage for Entrepreneurship

Startup competitions in Turkmenistan are not just a competition of ideas, but a full-fledged platform for uniting talented youth, students, entrepreneurs, investors and government representatives.

The event attracted the attention of Mejlis deputies, representatives of the Ministry of Finance, members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the banking sector and business circles, which emphasizes its importance for the national economy.

Youth as a Driving Force for Progress

The participants, among whom university students stood out, presented projects that combined global trends with local needs. Their participation proved that the youth of Turkmenistan is ready to play a key role in the development of the country's entrepreneurship sector.

The support from the state and organizers allowed young start uppers not only to present their ideas, but also to receive valuable recommendations from experts and investors, as well as tangible assistance that paves the way for their implementation.

"For me, it is more important to contribute to my country than to make a quick profit abroad," one of the participants shared.

"This competition gave me confidence that my ideas can change life in our country," another participant, a student at the Turkmen Agricultural Institute said.

Ideas that Shape Tomorrow

The competition became a platform for a wide variety of ideas that not only solve current problems, but also demonstrate the creativity and technical savvy of the participants. Among the projects presented:

 Renewable energy: using solar and wind energy to create environmentally friendly solutions relevant to a region with rich natural resources.

 Music platform for Central Asia: a regional analogue of Spotify, uniting the cultural and musical traditions of the Central Asian countries.

 Eco-friendly products: antiseptics, perfumes, cosmetics and other products created with taking into account environmental standards.

 Logistics solutions: optimization of transport processes to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

 Leatherette products: eco-friendly alternatives to genuine leather for fashion and design.

 Electronic notebook: a digital solution for educational institutions that simplifies the learning process.

 Greenhouse technologies: automated systems using AI to increase agricultural productivity by 15-20%.

 Visual content platform: a tool for creative industries that simplifies the creation and promotion of materials.

 Error checker: software that allows readers to automatically detect errors in texts; useful for publishers.

 HydroFlow: a technology that reduces water loss in agriculture by 20%, which is especially important for the arid regions of Turkmenistan.

 Polonium wood: the use of unique materials in construction and design.

 Bone powder: an environmentally friendly product for fertilizers and medical implants, reducing dependence on imports.

 Eco-textiles: recycling textile waste to create fashionable and comfortable clothing.

These projects not only demonstrate the diversity of ideas, but also highlight the participants' desire to address environmental, social and economic challenges relevant to Turkmenistan and the region.

Step Towards Institutional Support

The success of the competition participants highlights the need for systematic training of personnel for the innovative economy. The answer to this challenge came literally a couple of days after the competition with good news.

Recently, on June 27, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a Decree on the establishment of the International University of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. This educational institution, starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, will train personnel for business, develop programs according to international standards and attract foreign experts, supporting the objectives of the country's Socioeconomic Development Program for 2022-2028.

The readiness of Turkmen youth for innovation is obvious, and the state actively supports them in this. The creation of the International University of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs only confirms this strategy, opening up new horizons for the implementation of ambitious ideas.

A Look into the Future

Startup competitions in Turkmenistan have become more than a competition of ideas - they have turned into a symbol of a new era, where young people, inspired by global trends and national values, are creating the future of the country. The projects presented at the competition, from environmentally friendly technologies to digital platforms, reflect the desire to solve current challenges of the country, region and the world.

The creation of the International University of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs confirms that the state sees young people as the driving force of progress, who will turn the ideas and spirit of the competition into reality, strengthening the economy and international prestige of our country.

ORIENT