Silkway Accelerator 2026

Silkway Accelerator 7.0

First time in Almaty.

A flagship intensive growth acceleration program for technology startups at PMF and Scale stages from Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Mongolia.

🇰🇿 Kazakhstan

🇺🇿 Uzbekistan

🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan

🇹🇯 Tajikistan

🇹🇲 Turkmenistan

🇦🇿 Azerbaijan

🇬🇪 Georgia

🇲🇳 Mongolia

Applications open until April 30 → Submit Application

About the Program

A program for startups with global ambitions

The only program in Central Asia run in partnership with Google for Startups.

Over 12 intensive weeks, founders focus entirely on business growth alongside experienced leads, trackers, international mentors, and industry experts.

The program has successfully completed 6 batches and provides not just expertise, but a full-fledged growth environment: accommodation, workspace, international expertise, and a strong founder community.

Silkway Accelerator alumni are startups with big ambitions and a focus on international expansion. Ready for global growth? Apply for Batch 7.

Apply Now →

Results of 6 Batches

6 batches since 2022.

Alumni from 8+ countries in the region

$48M+

Investments raised by alumni

$500M+

Combined valuation of alumni companies

2.5–3x

Average MRR growth over 12 weeks

Finalists of Silkway Accelerator

73 startups made it
to the finals across 6 batches

What You Get

Everything You Need to Grow

A joint program by Astana Hub and Google for Startups

Intensive Tracking

In 12 weeks, you will cover a journey that usually takes a year. Working with trackers will help you quickly test hypotheses and accelerate growth.

Free Office & Co-living

We provide office space and accommodation in Almaty for 2 team members from another city or country — full focus on growth without distractions.

Google Cloud Support

All participants receive up to $100,000 in Google Cloud credits, technical consultations, Google Workspace, training materials, and support from a personal growth manager.

Astana Hub Support

PR promotion, access to exclusive events, post-program support, and priority in international forums and initiatives.

Investment from Astana Hub Ventures

Upon program completion, startups are shortlisted by Astana Hub Ventures. The fund considers investments of $100,000 to $500,000 for the most promising teams.

Exclusive Demo Day with Investors

Final pitch to a curated audience — venture funds, angel investors, and strategic partners specifically invited to meet graduates. Only the right people, no noise.

Program Stages

Program Timeline

27.03 – 30.04

Participant Selection

Stage 1. Application review.
Stage 2. Online interviews with trackers.

09.05

Semi-Finalists Announced

11.05 – 24.05

Pre-Accelerator

2 weeks online for a shortlist of 20 teams, selection of program finalists. Metrics diagnostics and execution assessment.

01.06 – 23.08

Silkway Accelerator

Offline in Almaty. 12 weeks of intensive tracking and working on your business growth.

01.09.2026

Demo Day

Final pitch to investors, post-program support, and alumni network.

Who Can Apply

Silkway Accelerator —
only for those ready to grow.

We only work with startups that already have revenue, customers, and validated demand. If you are looking for an idea — this is not your program. If you are stuck after PMF — this is exactly for you.

✓
Tech startup — any industry
✓
PMF or Scale stage — has revenue and paying customers
✓
Stable MRR and measurable growth
✓
12-week presence in Almaty
✗
Idea stage or no working product

Participant Industries

FinTech AI / ML RetailTech SaaS EdTech HRTech HealthTech Logistics

Participation Terms

Participation fee — $20,000

Program participation is valued at $20,000. This amount can be covered via a SAFE agreement (uncapped + MFN) — meaning you sign an investment agreement instead of paying cash. Payment is made at the start of the accelerator and covers the full suite of services: mentorship, tracking, infrastructure, and support.

💡 What is SAFE? Simple Agreement for Future Equity — an agreement where the startup does not give up equity immediately. Conversion happens in the future when raising investment. Example: if your startup raises a round at a $4,000,000 valuation — a $20,000 SAFE converts to ~0.5% of your company.

Jurisdiction

To sign a SAFE, the company must be registered in one of the following jurisdictions: AIFC, USA, or Singapore.

Follow-on Investment Opportunity

Astana Hub Ventures as a venture fund always considers follow-on investment in startups that demonstrate traction and progress during the program. For the best — this is not the end, but the start of the next round.

Format

Offline in Almaty. Full immersion — 12 weeks.

Apply by April 30 →

Press About Us

Silkway Accelerator in the Media

Kapital.kz · 2025

Batch 6 alumni raised $550K in investments and secured $1.4M in additional commitments

Read →

The Astana Times · 2025

77 Silkway startups raised over $28M — Astana Hub entered global top-75 ecosystems

Read →

Digital Business · 2026

Astana Hub residents earned $1.7B — Silkway 2025 alumni raised $550K

Read →

Kapital.kz · 2023

After 4 Silkway batches: 49 startups in international markets, $8.1M investments

Read →

Digital Business · 2025

Revenue growth and new markets: how Silkway Accelerator helps Central Asian startups scale

Read →

Digital Business · 2024

Batch 5 completed: MRR grew 3.5x, reaching $1M combined among alumni

Read →

Astana Hub · 2023

Silkway participants raised $7.5M combined — MRR tripled, 37 startups expanded internationally

Read →

Medium · Astana Hub · 2022

Zypl.ai raised valuation from $6M to $10M, Citix expanded to UAE and Turkey — Batch 1 results

Read →

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Key Questions

Who can apply?

Technology startups with a working product at PMF or Scale stage can apply. Participation is open to teams from Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Mongolia.

Do I need to be in Almaty during the program?

Yes. The program is held offline, and participants must be in Almaty for all 12 weeks. Accommodation for 2 founders is provided free of charge.

How much does it cost to participate?

Program participation is valued at $20,000. You can cover this amount in two ways:

1) Sign a SAFE agreement for $20,000
2) Pay the amount directly

SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) is an uncapped agreement with MFN terms that allows you to provide equity in the future during the next investment round. To sign a SAFE, the company must be registered in AIFC, USA, or Singapore.

What is SAFE and why sign it?

SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) is a simple agreement where the startup does not give up equity immediately but provides it in the future when raising investment.

This amount can be covered via a SAFE — by signing an investment agreement instead of paying cash. It covers the full suite of accelerator services: mentorship, tracking, infrastructure, and support.

Example: if your startup raises investment at a $4,000,000 valuation, a $20,000 SAFE converts to ~0.5% equity in your company.

Astana Hub Ventures considers follow-on investment in successful startups that demonstrate traction during the program.

What is included in the program?

Tracking, mentorship, free office and accommodation, partnerships, networking, PR, Demo Day, and investment support. All participants receive up to $100,000 in Google Cloud credits, technical consultations, and support from Google.

Can we participate if we have just started scaling?

Yes. If you already have a working product and a stable customer base, you qualify. The program is designed for startups at PMF and Scale stages — not for ideas.

We are from another country — can we apply?

Yes, the program is open to startups from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Mongolia.

When is the application deadline?

The deadline is April 30, 2026, 23:59. We recommend applying early to go through the thorough selection process.

Application deadline: April 30, 23:59

Secure your spot
in Silkway Accelerator Batch 7

Apply Now →

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