BirBir bags $10 million investment as it looks to expand P2P e-commerce platform in Uzbekistan

BirBir, an Uzbekistan-based peer-to-peer (P2P) classifieds platform, has raised $10 million in funding. The investment will be used to accelerate the company’s growth, allowing it to enhance its product offering, including AI driven features, scale its engineering team, and expand its presence in Uzbekistan and beyond.

Founded in 2023 by FinTech entrepreneur Alexander Pekin and EdTech strategist Alexander Bayzarov, BirBir was created to solve a gap in Uzbekistan’s e-commerce landscape: the need for a convenient, mobile first platform that simplifies buying, selling, and trading goods. It is currently attracting over 500,000 active monthly users and facilitating three million monthly sessions.

The platform supports local languages and enables users to buy, sell, or rent a wide variety of goods, from electronics and household items to vehicles and real estate.

“We are focused on building a seamless, trust-based environment for peer-to-peer transactions, especially in sectors like automotive, where transparency and convenience are key,” says Pekin. “The investment will allow us to improve our infrastructure, introduce AI powered features, and enhance the user experience.”

“Uzbekistan’s digital economy is in the early stages of a major transformation,” says Bayzarov. “With a large, young, and tech savvy population, coupled with the government’s growing focus on digital infrastructure, the country offers a tremendous opportunity for businesses like ours.”

RTIH AI in Retail Awards

RTIH, organiser of the industry leading RTIH Innovation Awards, proudly brings you the first edition of the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, which is now open for entries. 

As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.

With 2025 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.

Our 2025 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Wednesday, 3rd September.

This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.

Please email our Editor, Scott Thompson, if you have any questions or need further information: scott.thompson@retailtechinnovationhub.com

Key 2025 dates

Friday, 18th July: Award entry deadline 

Tuesday, 22nd July: 2025 finalists revealed

Wednesday, 23rd July - Friday, 8th August: Judging days

Wednesday, 3rd September: Winners announced at the 2025 RTIH AI in Retail Awards Ceremony, to be held at The Barbican in Central London.