BirBir Secures $10M to Grow Uzbekistan's P2P E-Commerce

BirBir, Uzbekistan’s fast-rising peer-to-peer (P2P) classifieds platform, has successfully raised $10 million in fresh funding. The investment aims to accelerate the company’s expansion by boosting product development, growing its engineering team, and extending its footprint across Uzbekistan and the wider region.

Bridging a Gap in Uzbekistan’s E-Commerce Landscape

Established in 2023 by fintech pioneer Alexander Pekin and edtech expert Alexander Bayzarov, BirBir was launched to address a major shortfall in Uzbekistan’s online marketplace, offering a mobile-first, easy-to-use platform for trading goods. In just over a year, the company has grown rapidly, now attracting more than 500,000 monthly active users and logging 3 million sessions every month.

A Mobile-First Platform Tailored to Local Needs

BirBir’s rapid ascent is largely thanks to its mobile-centric design, built to serve Uzbekistan’s increasingly digital population. The platform features a clean, user-friendly interface that supports local languages, making it easy for users to list or discover items across a wide range of categories—from electronics and household goods to vehicles and property.

Automotive Listings Power Early Growth

One of the standout areas of success for BirBir has been its focus on vehicles. In 2024 alone, over 450,000 new cars were sold in Uzbekistan, with an even more active used car market. BirBir has filled a key gap by providing a secure, organized alternative to informal vehicle sales, helping users buy and sell cars with confidence.

“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,” said Alexander Pekin, Co-Founder of BirBir. “The investment will allow us to improve our infrastructure, introduce AI-powered features, and enhance the user experience.”

Positioned to Ride E-Commerce Boom

Uzbekistan’s e-commerce market is growing rapidly, with forecasts predicting it will surpass $1 billion by 2027. In 2023, online sales made up just 4% of total retail activity, but that share is expected to climb to 15% within four years. With this momentum, BirBir is well-placed to become a dominant force in the digital economy.

“Uzbekistan’s digital economy is in the early stages of a major transformation,” said Alexander Bayzarov, Co-Founder of BirBir. “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.”

Future Plans: AI, Trust, and Regional Reach

The newly raised capital will be used to strengthen BirBir’s platform with AI-powered features, improved product offerings, and heightened security measures to enhance user trust. The company also has its sights set on regional expansion, aiming to become Central Asia’s premier P2P marketplace.