U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick and Farkhod Makhmudov, Founder and Shareholder of OSON Holding (Brio Group), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in January 2025 to launch a new public-private partnership to expand support for the U.S. State Department’s entrepreneurship activities.

This collaboration aims to expand the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) initiative in Uzbekistan. OSON committed approximately US$50,000 to support a new cohort, providing training for 25 female entrepreneurs through a curriculum developed by the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University. Through this initiative, the Embassy and OSON aim to establish a professional network of women business leaders nationwide, promoting peer support and enhancing business skills. It also aligns with broader U.S. efforts to strengthen small- and medium-sized enterprises—particularly those led by women—in sectors like energy, science, and technology.