At DOMiNO Ventures, we continue to observe consistent progress across our portfolio. Our companies are advancing in product delivery, forming strategic partnerships, and exploring scalable business models. While each founder follows a unique trajectory, we remain encouraged by their shared resilience and focus. We stay committed to enabling long-term growth by offering more than capital combining hands-on support with deep engagement throughout the journey.

DOMiNO Effect in the Spotlight

• Welcome on Board, TASS Vision! We’re thrilled to announce our investment in TASS Vision, the Uzbekistan-born AI startup transforming offline retail with edge-powered video analytics
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• Welcome Aboard, Again Remus Energy! We’re excited to back Remus Enerji, formerly known as Lumian, as they take a major step forward with a new investment round at a $6M valuation, joined by DOMiNO Ventures and Cleantech Ventures.
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• Mustafa Kopuk and Yagiz Karadeniz took part in the international conference “Empowering SMEs for Economic Development and Competitiveness” held at the Miraki Cultural Touristic Center in Shahrisabz, Qashqadaryo region.

• Mustafa Kopuk attended both The Next Web Conference 2025 and the Türkiye Tech Meetup in Amsterdam! 
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• We were at the United Nations Public Service Forum 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan!
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• Yagiz Karadeniz joined the panel “Investing in Potential: How VCs Evaluate Startups and Emerging Ecosystems” at Baku ID!

• We’ve just wrapped up the BetterFuture Demo Day, and we couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built together.
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Portfolio Facts!

• We’re proud to support Cineshort, one of our portfolio companies, as it redefines how short films reach global audiences through its boundary-pushing streaming platform. 
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Portfolio News!

• We’re excited to share that our portfolio company Algoma has officially launched its Feasibility Platform for early subscribers!
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DOMiNO Insights!

• The Role of Venture Capital in Central Asia’s Tech Boom
• AI Startups in Emerging Markets: Solving Local Problems with Global Impact

DOMiNO Impact for Better Future

At DOMiNO Ventures, we align with Better Future Goals (BFGs), which represent our commitment to sustainability and social progress, driving innovation in AI, DeepTech, CleanTech, HealthTech, and other critical sectors.

Highlights for Better Future on Linkedin!

Explore the latest editions of Highlights for a Better Future below, DOMiNO Ventures’ newsletter dedicated tosustainability and impact. Stay updated with the most recent news and insights in entrepreneurship, technology, investing, and more, all through the lens of sustainability and impact.

Funding for European climate tech companies fell 71% in the first half of this year — with €6.2bn invested across debt and equity deals. That’s a significant drop on the €21.7bn invested in the first half of 2024.

The sector has faced mounting pressures in recent years, with industry leaders like Northvolt collapsing, while the White House under US president Donald Trump has sought to undermine green initiatives in favour of fossil fuels.

Read more here about how ClimateTech investors are shifting to higher quality when making their decisions

Other significant news:

• 🌍 European Fusion Startups Set New Investment Record in 2025: European fusion energy startups reach a new funding milestone, attracting record investments to accelerate the development of clean and scalable energy solutions.
• 🌱 Five Sustainability Trends for 2025 and What They Mean for Startups: A deep dive into the key sustainability trends that will shape the next decade, offering startups insights on how to align with the future of green innovation and impact-driven entrepreneurship.
• 🌿 Climate Adaptation Startups to Watch: A guide to the most innovative startups that are driving the adaptation of communities and ecosystems to the changing climate, focusing on scalable solutions in the climate resilience sector.

Explore more news and articles in our newsletter—subscribe now using the links below!

• Highlights for Better Future #25

BetterFuture AI Acceleration Program

We’ve hosted the BetterFuture Demo Day, and we couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built together.

After 8 weeks of intense preparation, mentorship, and growth, 8 high-potential startups from Uzbekistan took the stage to pitch their solutions to a global audience. This marked a special third edition of BetterFuture, run exclusively for the Uzbek ecosystem in collaboration with IT PARK Uzbekistan  with the goal of helping local founders connect with international markets and unlock global capital.

And what a stage it was:
🌍 50+ international VCs joined us online to explore the region’s emerging potential
💼 We welcomed an international jury in Tashkent, all visiting Uzbekistan for the first time:

→ Imtiyaz Basharat 伊迪 (HEARTFELT_)
→ Jan Davídek (Purple Ventures)
→ Kelly Pang (Orbit Startups)
🎙️ We also featured two dynamic panel sessions with local and global VCs sharing strategic insights
🚀 And of course, our founders delivered standout pitches full of ambition, clarity, and grit

Special thanks to:
🤝 Our partner IT PARK Uzbekistan, for making this journey possible
🌍 Our in-person international jury for their time, insights, and support
🏢 U-ENTER, for being our venue partner and hosting us so generously
🎤 Our panelists, for their experience and inspiration
🧠 And our dedicated mentors, who helped shape each startup’s story

You can watch our Demo Day here 👉: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvuAJNLrpOU 

Ecosystem News from Our Focus Regions

Central Asia’s VC Ecosystem Sees Strong Growth, Attracting Global Investments

The venture capital market in Central Asia has grown significantly, surpassing $200M in capital by 2025, with 12 active VC funds and increasing startups in sectors like FinTech, AI, and HealthTech. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan are emerging as key players, supported by government initiatives like accelerators and incubators. Kazakhstan’s tech market is gaining momentum, with TechGarden and QazTech Ventures driving investments.

Uzbekistan Named Fastest-Growing Startup Ecosystem in Central Asia by Startup Genome

Startup Genome has recognized Uzbekistan as the fastest-growing startup ecosystem in Central Asia, highlighting its rapid progress in innovation, talent development, and investment activity. The report underscores Uzbekistan’s improvement in global ecosystem rankings and its expanding support infrastructure, including accelerators, VC funds, and regulatory reforms. As the ecosystem matures, Uzbekistan continues to attract regional and international attention, solidifying its position as a rising tech hub in the broader Central Asian landscape.

Turkish startups raise $211 million in H1 2025

Turkish startups have raised $211 million in the first half of 2025, reflecting the growing strength and appeal of the country’s startup ecosystem. This surge in funding underscores the increasing interest from both local and international investors, particularly in sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, and SaaS. The growing investment momentum is expected to drive further innovation and development in Turkey’s tech landscape.

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