Daniiar Usenov
2023 IVLP Impact Award Project: Creating a Communication Platform for Regular Discussion of Angel and Venture Investment Challenges in the Kyrgyz RepublicKyrgyzstan
Daniiar Usenov has an MBA from Kyoto University in Japan and obtained a Master of Laws from the Kyrgyz State Law Academy. He has accumulated over 17 years of experience in entrepreneurship development which includes working in Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) financing in Russia and Kyrgyzstan. Through this he has experience managing mini-MBA courses and consulting projects with Japanese experts (JICA project) and developing numerous incubation and acceleration programs for start-ups and small businesses (UKaid project). He possesses extensive skills in project management, crafting business plans, and delivering presentations to secure funding. Currently, his interests lie in establishing and managing impact and venture funds and enhancing the potential of business founders (startups) through mentoring and consulting.
IVLP Impact Award Project: Creating a Communication Platform for Regular Discussion of Angel and Venture Investment Challenges in the Kyrgyz Republic
Daniiar organized a conference called ‘Venture Investment Summit 2023’ to discuss the challenges and opportunities of angel investment and venture capital in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 120 entrepreneurs, investors, and other interest stakeholders attended the conference and heard from 11 different speakers. Daniiar's proposal brought attention to the necessity for law that invites foreign investment and projects investors. Additionally, it amplified how Kyrgyz startups are becoming key international and regional competitors, but often don’t have access to further financing.
"It is a great initiative since Kyrgyzstan needs more [of these] kinds of events that will unite all stakeholders and provide the platform for exchanging expert opinions and formulating possible solutions and actions." - Project Participant
IVLP Exchange Experience
Daniiar was a participant in the IVLP Project Creative Economy organized by the U.S. Department of State and Cultural Vistas.
Daniiar's exchange experience led to the development of his IVLP Impact Award Project: "One of the key takeaways from visiting the United States in 2023 as an IVLP participant was that in America there is a strong culture of open and frequent communication among the stakeholders of the startup ecosystem."
U.S. Communities Visited
Denver, CO; Washington, DC; New York City, NY; Cincinnati, OH; Burlington, VT