Every person dreams of achieving great things, but not everyone dares to take the challenging path filled with trials, disappointments, and victories. This is the story of Shukhrat Safarov, a young man from Dushanbe, Tajikistan, who, despite all the difficulties, managed to reach significant heights in education, business, and innovation.

Birth and Childhood in Dushanbe

Shukhrat was born in 1991 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to a family where his mother, Nargis Azizkulova, was a medical professional, and his father, Azizmurod Safarov, was an entrepreneur. Life in the country at that time was tough, and the future seemed uncertain. Despite these challenges, his parents always believed in the power of education and sought to provide their son with the best opportunities. After the 6th grade, his parents made the pivotal decision to transfer him from Public School No. 92 to the Presidential Lyceum for Gifted Children. Surrounded by talented peers and high academic standards, his journey toward knowledge truly began.

"In childhood, a child needs two things: unconditional love from his mother and proper guidance from his father. A mother’s love makes him strong inside, and advice from his father makes him strong on the outside. If a child has these two supports, he will grow up happy and will strive for the best."

Education and First Successes

During his school years, Shukhrat became fascinated with computer science, winning prizes at both City and National Olympiads. Later, he pursued economics and enrolled in the Russian-Tajik (Slavic) University, earning his bachelor’s degree. At the same time, he interned and worked at the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan, gaining his first experience in public service.

His thirst for knowledge and desire to reach new heights led him to Moscow. In 2015, he enrolled in the Master's program at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation. After completing his Master’s with honors in 2017, and under the guidance of his academic advisor, he decided to continue his academic career and entered the PhD program, focusing on Public-Private Partnerships. His research led to the publication of five scientific articles in journals listed in the Higher Attestation Commission (HAC) and indexed in SCOPUS. He also presented at conferences at Moscow State University (MSU), the Higher School of Economics (HSE), and MGIMO, which bolstered his confidence as a speaker and prepared him for future business negotiations.

Trials of the Pandemic and Returning Home

Everything seemed to be progressing as planned until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began. During this challenging time, Shukhrat decided to return to Dushanbe to be with his family and support his country.

Returning home wasn’t a pause for him — it marked a new phase. Helping his father with his business, he witnessed firsthand how the pandemic was affecting society. The summer of 2020 became a turning point when Shukhrat lost his older sister, Farangis, to COVID-19 at the age of 30. This devastating loss altered his perspective and fueled his desire to help society in meaningful ways during this difficult period.

At that time, Tajikistan faced a shortage of medical staff. Observing how healthcare workers had to manually disinfect the hands of visitors at medical facilities, Shukhrat saw an opportunity to ease their burden and optimize the process. He came up with the idea of an automated sensor dispenser for hands-free sanitizing. After presenting the idea to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan, it received support, and equipment was supplied to medical institutions, significantly reducing the strain on staff.

While this was a modest contribution, Shukhrat recognized the importance of helping society during a crisis.

The Birth of an IT Startup Idea and a New Beginning in the USA

During his time in Dushanbe, Shukhrat often reflected on his long-held dream of creating a project in the IT sector—something impactful that would help many people and simplify their lives. This dream had been with him since his school days when he delved deeply into Information Technology. As he observed the growing connectivity in Tajikistan and the increasing travel between cities, he realized the potential for a platform that would allow travelers to find companions for their journeys. Such a platform could help drivers offset fuel costs and provide passengers with a more comfortable travel option—a win-win situation for both.

However, Shukhrat was unable to implement this idea in Tajikistan. In the summer of 2022, due to family and business considerations, he made the life-changing decision to move to the United States. This decision was a bold step, one requiring courage and determination. Upon arriving in Philadelphia, like many immigrants, Shukhrat initially worked in food delivery after obtaining work authorization. This experience, although humbling, was an invaluable lesson that helped him adapt quickly to a new environment.

During his time in Philadelphia, Shukhrat observed the daily struggles of people traveling to major cities like New York or Washington D.C., who often had to travel alone or use public transportation, which did not always meet their comfort or budget expectations. This reminded him of his long-cherished idea for a ride-sharing app.

Lacking sufficient experience in IT, he shared his idea with his cousin, Barzu Rustami, and together they decided to bring it to life. The app was named iZZi Ride, reflecting the desire to make travel easier and more convenient.

Inspiration from Visionary Entrepreneurs

Shukhrat drew profound inspiration from the stories of entrepreneurs like Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk —individuals who, as young people, dared to risk everything and bring unconventional ideas to life. They faced immense criticism and failure but remained unwavering because they believed their ideas had the potential to connect people and improve lives. As he read about these pioneers, Shukhrat often asked himself: Why are some people able to bring bold ideas to life while others are not? This question still lingers in his mind, and perhaps time will reveal the answer. But one thing he firmly believes is this: If you have a dream in your heart and an idea in your mind, it is always better to try—whether you succeed or fail—than never to try and never know what could have been.

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."

Stepping onto the Global Stage: Experience in Silicon Valley

Before launching iZZi Ride, Shukhrat decided to test his idea in the heart of the startup world—Silicon Valley. At the Startup Grind exhibition, his project impressed many, and he met like-minded individuals, including Harry Tan, the CEO of the Y Combinator startup accelerator, who offered invaluable advice on startup development. Shukhrat later returned to Silicon Valley to participate in the TechCrunch IT Startup exhibition. These experiences not only expanded his knowledge but also energized him, reinforcing the importance of surrounding oneself with ambitious individuals eager to create something extraordinary.

"If you want to change your life, start by changing your environment, your thoughts, and your goals."

Had Shukhrat been told as a child that one day he would present his IT Startup in Silicon Valley alongside tech giants, he would likely have smiled. But life’s challenges prepare us for great achievements, and, by God’s will, he did not abandon his dream of creating something meaningful for society.

"A person without a dream is like a ship without a compass. It is crucial to always know where you are headed. Your dream should be big, even if it initially seems unattainable. In time, you will find ways to make it a reality."

Results and Looking Ahead

Today, nearly 10,000 users rely on iZZi Ride to find ride-sharing partners, making intercity travel more convenient and affordable. While this may seem like a modest contribution, it is an important step toward improving people’s daily lives and supporting the community.

A crucial contribution to the early-stage promotion of the app on social media came from his good friend Parviz Niyozov, a blogger well-known among Tajiks as “Parviz America”. His support and active involvement helped attract the first users and created a foundation for the project's growth.

Around iZZi Ride, a team of like-minded individuals is forming, united by the desire to change the world for the better. Shukhrat says:

"In the beginning, it was difficult to find people who shared these ideas. Everyone has their own perspective and ambitions, and not everyone is willing to invest in the project with the same passion."

However, Shukhrat’s persistence paid off. Together with Barzu, they began searching for individuals who not only wanted to work but truly believed in the mission of iZZi Ride. Gradually, they found talented and motivated people who were eager to contribute their time and ideas to the project’s success. Now, the team is growing, attracting like-minded individuals who are driven not just by financial rewards but by a desire to make a meaningful difference.

One key principle the team has embraced is continuous feedback from users. The opinions of early users have become an essential guide for developing iZZi Ride. By carefully examining reviews and addressing areas for improvement, the team ensures the app remains relevant and valuable to its users.

The team’s ambitious plans include expanding to 1 million active users, launching in major U.S. cities like New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and San Francisco, and eventually going global, making convenient travel accessible to people worldwide.

For Shukhrat, this journey is about more than just business. It is about creating something that changes lives, unites people, and makes the world a better place. And he believes this is only the beginning.

In Summary

Reflecting on his journey, Shukhrat is convinced that every challenge strengthens character and opens new doors. His path—from a simple boy in Dushanbe to the founder of an IT startup in the U.S.—demonstrates that persistence, a constant drive for knowledge, and a desire to help others can overcome any obstacle and lead to new opportunities.

"Where your talent and the needs of the world intersect lies your calling, and success." — Aristotle

This story is a testament to how life’s challenges, belief in oneself, and the support of like-minded individuals and family can lead to the creation of projects that change people’s lives for the better.