Shymkent has officially joined the map of emerging innovation hubs with the successful launch of Global Tech Wave Central Asia, a licensed edition of Global Tech Weekend. For the first time in the city’s history, Shymkent hosted a large-scale innovation event bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, creative talent, and policymakers.
The event, powered under the Global Tech Weekend license, attracted a vibrant mix of participants and partners, marking a major step in positioning Shymkent as a rising hub in Central Asia’s growing innovation landscape.
Nodo Ivanidze, Co-Founder of Global Tech Weekend, emphasized:
“Global Tech Weekend is more than a conference — it is the largest decentralized tech movement in the Caucasus and Central Asia. While our flagship events take place in the capital cities of the region, our licensed brand Global Tech Wave allows us to explore dynamic cities like Shymkent that are not capitals but hold immense growth potential. This successful debut shows how innovation can flourish in new places when communities, businesses, and governments come together.”
As part of the Shymkent program, Forbes Georgia participated in the panel “Forming Global Hubs – The Role of Regional Ecosystems”. The discussion explored how regional ecosystems can transcend local boundaries and position themselves on the global stage.
Shota Dighmelashvili, Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Georgia, noted:
“At Forbes Georgia, we see our mission as more than reporting on business and innovation — we are actively building the bridges that connect the brightest minds of the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Cross-border cooperation is the cornerstone of future growth in this region, and it is inspiring to see platforms like Global Tech Weekend and Global Tech Wave making this collaboration a reality. We are proud to write the next chapter of regional innovation with partners like GTW.”
Expanding the Tech Movement
Global Tech Weekend began in Los Angeles in 2024, later debuting in Tbilisi, Georgia in 2025, where it welcomed over 10,000+ participants from 30+ countries, featured 120+ speakers, 130+ sponsors, and hosted 40+ decentralized side events.
Among these side events was Forbes Georgia’s exclusive Creativity Meets Tech gathering at Stamba Hotel Rooftop, which brought together top voices from companies like Netflix, Riot Games, and Montfort, alongside leading investors from Europe and Latin America.
Following this record-setting gathering, the movement is expanding across the region with flagship events planned in Tashkent (April 2026), Tbilisi (June 2026), and Baku (October 2026).
Alongside these capital-city flagships, Global Tech Wave events will spotlight high-growth secondary cities, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors to connect with untapped ecosystems.
About Global Tech Weekend
Global Tech Weekend is the largest decentralized tech movement in the Caucasus and Central Asia, transforming cities into living innovation ecosystems. The model brings together startups, corporates, universities, investors, governments, and creatives to accelerate ecosystem-driven growth.
With its dual strategy of flagship gatherings in capital cities and licensed Global Tech Wave editions in emerging hubs, GTW is redefining how innovation spreads across the region — rooted locally, connected globally.
