Plug and Play backs Uzbek FMCG platform Smartup after $1M seed from IT Park Ventures
What's the deal? SmartupDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a portfolio startup of IT Park VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, has secured an early-stage investment from Plug and Play, a US venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley. The Uzbek company develops a platform that automates FMCG distribution and sales, integrating field sales, warehouse operations, finance, and marketing into one system.
By the numbers: The platform serves more than 800 companies and over 28,000 professionals across 11 countries. Smartup says it holds roughly 30% of the sales force automation (SFA) market in Central Asia, with users including distributors of PepsiCoDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, NestléDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and SamsungDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → products.
What's the endgame? The new capital will fund Smartup's push into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and expand its AI capabilities. Planned features include computer vision, ML-powered logistics optimisation, intelligent analysis of sales team communications, plus further work on its B2B marketplace and fintech products.
Why now? IT Park Ventures previously invested $1 million in Smartup to support product development and international expansion. The addition of an international backer builds on that momentum.
The signal: A Silicon Valley firm backing an Uzbek startup reflects growing global venture interest in technology companies from the region — and signals that founders outside established hubs can attract notable international investors.
Image credit: Generated with Gemini
