Kazakhstani urban mobility platform UvU.kz has raised pre-Series A funding from Baku-based venture fund INMerge Ventures. According to Digital Business, the deal pushed the startup's valuation past the $10 million mark.
What happened
The investment amount has not yet been disclosed. The entire round includes several investors and is expected to fully close in June 2026.
As UvU.kz co-founder and CEO Madiyar Toleugali told the publication, this is INMerge Ventures' first investment in Kazakhstan. The fund is backed by large Azerbaijani and Turkish organizations, though the specific names of the partners have not been disclosed.
The team's first contact with the investors took place in October 2025 at the Digital Bridge forum in Astana. Active negotiations began in February 2026 at the Web Summit Qatar in Doha, and in April, the startup received a firm confirmation of funding.
Company context
UvU.kz has been developing a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform since 2021. The service combines AI algorithms for route optimization with the management of medium-capacity shuttle buses.
The project currently operates in Almaty, Astana, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The platform serves over 45 corporate and educational clients. In parallel, the company is developing a B2G segment, offering city administrations tools to optimize route networks.
Previously, the startup raised $1.1 million from a pool of investors that included MOST Ventures, Big Sky Capital, and several business angels.
Why it matters
According to the founders, when making the decision, the fund evaluated the applicability of the transport model to other countries. In INMerge Ventures' region of presence, cities face similar problems: traffic jams, overcrowded public transport, and the growth of new districts lacking convenient infrastructure.
The deal demonstrates a reciprocal movement of capital: regional funds are beginning to test cross-border investments and seek projects with export potential outside their home markets.
What's next
The raised funds will go toward strengthening positions in Kazakhstan. UvU.kz expects to increase the number of daily active shuttles to 600 units. According to the company's estimates, this will allow it to quadruple its revenue.
In parallel, the startup is preparing the groundwork for foreign expansion. Immediate plans include selling its B2B SaaS solution to partners in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. In the next stage (Series A), the team intends to launch its flagship product in one of the foreign markets, relocating the operational team.