250 leaders - from government halls to Silicon Valley boardrooms convene for the most prestigious startup competition in the world. This is where local innovation meets global capital.
THE TURKIC VENTURE Forum
Co-CEO, US Market Access Center | Founding member, Avande (Microsoft x Andersen Consulting) | $1.2B Exit | 9,500 employees, $850M revenue, 22 countries
CHRIS BURRY
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
200 Seats
May 23
Kyrgyzstan - 2026
Global Investors
One final pitching
At Lake Issyk-Kul - the Pearl of Central Asia 20 global investors convene where clarity replaces noise, capital aligns, and the next decade of cross-border partnerships begins.
A Retreat Worth Crossing Continents For
Silicon Valley in Bishkek
Beyond the Pitch
Beyond the Sessions
THE POWER OF STAGE
THE POWER OF DIALOGUE
THE EXPERIENCE
The Kyrgyzstan Country Final is part of a global competition spanning 50+ countries. The winner earns an opportunity to represent the country in San Francisco to compete for the $1,000,000 grand prize.
This isn’t just a contest; it’s a strategic forum. We bring together Banks, Government, and Corporates to bridge the gap between traditional industry and the future of tech.
A traditional nomadic dinner on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. Live national music and folklore performances. A private wine tasting. An introduction to the eagle hunting tradition of Kyrgyzstan.
The Minds Behind Global Venture
Who Should Attend:
An intimate chance to spend two days with investors who helped build and scale globally influential companies.
Government officials
Ecosystem Builders
Enterpreneurs
Venture Fund Managers & Emerging GPs, LPs
Former Partner, 500 Startups
Marvin Liao
Over 500 early-stage investments across global markets. Deep experience in scaling startups and shaping venture ecosystems. Direct conversations. Strategic insight. Practical frameworks.
Cross-Border Ecosystem Strategist
Colin Donohue
Specialized in connecting capital across regions and markets. Focused on unlocking international deal flow and long-term venture alignment.
Co-CEO, US Market Access Center
CHRIS BURRY
Chris is a founding member of Avanade, a joint venture between Microsoft and Andersen Consulting. Founded in 2000, Avanade grew to 9,500 global employees and annual revenues of over $850 million, with offices in 22 countries — and was acquired for $1.2 billion.
THE STRATEGY:
May 23, 2026 | High-Energy, High-Impact
The Agenda
May 23, 2026 | High-Energy, High-Impact
The Agenda
PART 1: THE "WHY"
Focus: How to pick winners and structure for massive upside.
Focus: How to pick winners and structure for massive upside.
10:30 – 11:30
Opening speeches
Opening speeches
Opening Keynote: Startups as the engine of economic resilience. Featuring Avigail Menashe and Guests of Honor.
12:00 – 13:30
Why to invest in startups?
13:30 - 14.45 Networking, lunch
Why to invest in startups?
13:30 - 14.45 Networking, lunch
Corporate Venture Capital
14:45 – 15:15
Kyrgyz Ecosystem Panel: Building the Launchpad
15:15 - 16:15
The Main Event: Startup World Cup Pitching Competition
Kyrgyz Ecosystem Panel: Building the Launchpad
15:15 - 16:15
The Main Event: Startup World Cup Pitching Competition
Moderator: Local ecosystem leader
Panelists: key local figures (founders, government reps, influential businessmen/Businesswomen - who are also local angels).
Focus: Translating the morning's global advice into local action. Discussing the current bottlenecks in Kyrgyzstan, the role of TAAN (Turkic American Angel Network), and how to build a sustainable pipeline of founders and why to invest in Startups.
Judges:
Marvin Liao, Chris Burry, Colin Donohue, Avigail Menashe, Aijan Alisherova.
Focus (Goal 1):
The top local startups pitch for the chance to represent the region in Silicon Valley and compete for the $1,000,000 prize. This is where the corporates and banks in the audience see the tangible, high-quality deal flow available in their own backyard.
16:15 – 16:45
Jury Deliberation & Ecosystem Networking
16:45 – 17:15
| Winner Announcement & Closing Toasts
Jury Deliberation & Ecosystem Networking
16:45 – 17:15
| Winner Announcement & Closing Toasts
Judges retreat to decide the winner.
Audience networking, allowing corporates and banks to approach the founders who just pitched.
Awards ceremony, photo ops, and final call to action by TAAN, announcements of the next events and a roadmap.
What We’re Actually Talking About:
If I’m sitting in that chair, I’m asking the hard questions:
"Bill, when you saw the Airbnb pitch, what was the 'red flag' you ignored that turned out to be a green flag?"
The anatomy of an angel deal: term sheets, valuations, cap tables, dilution
"If I have a killer AI startup in Bishkek, how do I get a Swiss LP or a Saudi Fund to care without moving the HQ to Delaware?"
"In a high-interest-rate world, how do we pivot from 'growth at all costs' to 'growth that actually makes money'?"
Attendance by Invitation and Selection Only
Included in the membership fee:
✅ Full access to all sessions
✅ 2 days / 1 night hotel accommodation at Lake Issyk-Kul
✅ Breakfast and dinner
✅ Local transportation during the retreat
✅ Nomadic dinner experience
✅ Cultural program: eagle hunting demonstration
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