The final of the Industry 4.0 Pitch Battle, organized by Astana Hub, took place on October 2 in Astana as part of the international technolбogy forum AI & Digital Bridge 2026. Thirteen teams presented their technology solutions for the industrial sector to an expert jury and competed for a total prize pool of KZT 5 million.
The Industry 4.0 Pitch Battle received more than 50 applications from IT companies, startups, and project teams. Following the preliminary selection, 13 teams advanced to the final.
The finalists presented their solutions to experts, representatives of industrial companies, and potential customers, and answered questions from the jury.
The Industry 4.0 Pitch Battle focused on technologies designed to address specific production challenges, automate processes, and improve the efficiency of industrial enterprises.
“Today, industrial companies need more than just new technologies — they need solutions that can address specific production challenges and deliver measurable results. The Industry 4.0 Pitch Battle directly connects technology developers with industry, giving teams an opportunity to present their products to potential customers, receive expert feedback, and discuss opportunities for piloting and further implementation. It is important for us that promising technology solutions find practical applications at industrial enterprises in Kazakhstan,” said Dian Aibashpanov, Director of the Industry 4.0 Office at Astana Hub.
The key areas represented by the solutions included:
- industrial AI agents;
- computer vision;
- predictive equipment management;
- digital twins;
- industrial knowledge graphs;
- industrial data solutions;
- production and operational process optimization;
- digital solutions for the industrial workforce;
- autonomous industrial intelligence.
Expert Jury
The finalists’ solutions were evaluated by representatives of the industrial sector, technology companies, and the venture capital industry:
- Aibek Atanbekov — Digital Portfolio Management Advisor, Tengizchevroil LLP;
- Nassen Yerlan — Digital Program Architect, Tengizchevroil LLP;
- Nurasyl Dzharbasov — Chairman of the Board of Directors of DEM Group and Founder and Head of Astana Venture Club;
- Kemel Aitzhanov — Director of Business Development and Partnerships, Freedom AI;
- Meirzhan Yessimkhanov — Executive Director, Activat VC;
- Ruslan Raqymbay — Investment Director, Quest Ventures.
“For the industrial sector, technologies that address specific production challenges and can be integrated into real-world processes are particularly valuable. When evaluating the finalists, we looked not only at the technological component, but also at the solutions’ readiness for piloting, their practical value, and their potential for scaling. The Industry 4.0 Pitch Battle provides an opportunity to directly connect industry with technology developers and discover solutions that could potentially be implemented at industrial enterprises,” said Aibek Atanbekov, Digital Portfolio Management Advisor at Tengizchevroil LLP.
“From an investor’s perspective, the industrial sector is particularly interesting because technology solutions can create measurable value for businesses by reducing costs, increasing productivity, and optimizing processes. At the same time, scaling a startup requires more than strong technology — it also requires evidence of real market demand. Platforms like this help teams engage with potential customers, test their hypotheses, and identify opportunities for further growth,” said Ruslan Raqymbay, Investment Director at Quest Ventures.
The jury brought together expertise in industrial digitalization, technology business development, and venture investment, allowing the projects to be assessed in terms of their technological potential, practical implementation, and scalability.
Three winners were selected following the Industry 4.0 Pitch Battle:
1st place — Rock Rigid — a platform that reconstructs missing measurements, reconciles balances, and identifies losses.
2nd place — ROQED Mechanicum — VR/MR simulators for hands-on training of industrial personnel using digital twins of equipment and production facilities.
3rd place — Ecodata — a unified environmental data system for oil and gas companies that automates the calculation of emissions, discharges, and waste in accordance with the regulations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as the preparation of mandatory reports.
“For our team, this victory is first and foremost a confirmation that our solution is in demand within the industry and has strong potential for real-world application. It was particularly valuable to have the opportunity to present our product directly to representatives of the industrial sector, receive professional feedback, and discuss potential implementation scenarios. Our next step is to further develop the product, launch new pilot projects, and scale the solution,” said Salamat Kabdulov, CEO of Rock Rigid (Dereknet).
The Industry 4.0 Pitch Battle provided a platform for direct interaction between technology developers and industrial companies. Finalists had the opportunity to present their products to potential corporate customers, receive feedback from industry experts, and discuss prospects for implementing their technologies in real-world production processes.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 was held as part of Kazakhstan’s Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence and served as the central international event of AI MONTH — a month-long series of events bringing together initiatives in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, entrepreneurship, and human capital development.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 was organized by the Astana Hub International Innovation Cluster jointly with the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Akimat of Astana.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 was funded through sponsorship and supported by the forum’s partners.
Gold Partners: Freedom Bank, Kaspi Bank, Samruk-Kazyna JSC, Kazakhtelecom JSC.
Silver Partner: Halyk Bank.
Business Partner: Beeline Kazakhstan.
Bronze Partner: Yandex Qazaqstan.
Telecom Partner: Freedom Telecom Operations.
Technology Partner: Transtelecom JSC.
Official Airline Partner: Air Astana.
The final of the Industry 4.0 Pitch Battle, organized by Astana Hub, took place on October 2 in Astana as part of the international technolбogy forum AI & Digital Bridge 2026. Thirteen teams presented their technology solutions for the industrial sector to an expert jury and competed for a total prize pool of KZT 5 million.
The Industry 4.0 Pitch Battle received more than 50 applications from IT companies, startups, and project teams. Following the preliminary selection, 13 teams advanced to the final.
The finalists presented their solutions to experts, representatives of industrial companies, and potential customers, and answered questions from the jury.
The Industry 4.0 Pitch Battle focused on technologies designed to address specific production challenges, automate processes, and improve the efficiency of industrial enterprises.
“Today, industrial companies need more than just new technologies — they need solutions that can address specific production challenges and deliver measurable results. The Industry 4.0 Pitch Battle directly connects technology developers with industry, giving teams an opportunity to present their products to potential customers, receive expert feedback, and discuss opportunities for piloting and further implementation. It is important for us that promising technology solutions find practical applications at industrial enterprises in Kazakhstan,” said Dian Aibashpanov, Director of the Industry 4.0 Office at Astana Hub.
The key areas represented by the solutions included:
- industrial AI agents;
- computer vision;
- predictive equipment management;
- digital twins;
- industrial knowledge graphs;
- industrial data solutions;
- production and operational process optimization;
- digital solutions for the industrial workforce;
- autonomous industrial intelligence.
Expert Jury
The finalists’ solutions were evaluated by representatives of the industrial sector, technology companies, and the venture capital industry:
- Aibek Atanbekov — Digital Portfolio Management Advisor, Tengizchevroil LLP;
- Nassen Yerlan — Digital Program Architect, Tengizchevroil LLP;
- Nurasyl Dzharbasov — Chairman of the Board of Directors of DEM Group and Founder and Head of Astana Venture Club;
- Kemel Aitzhanov — Director of Business Development and Partnerships, Freedom AI;
- Meirzhan Yessimkhanov — Executive Director, Activat VC;
- Ruslan Raqymbay — Investment Director, Quest Ventures.
“For the industrial sector, technologies that address specific production challenges and can be integrated into real-world processes are particularly valuable. When evaluating the finalists, we looked not only at the technological component, but also at the solutions’ readiness for piloting, their practical value, and their potential for scaling. The Industry 4.0 Pitch Battle provides an opportunity to directly connect industry with technology developers and discover solutions that could potentially be implemented at industrial enterprises,” said Aibek Atanbekov, Digital Portfolio Management Advisor at Tengizchevroil LLP.
“From an investor’s perspective, the industrial sector is particularly interesting because technology solutions can create measurable value for businesses by reducing costs, increasing productivity, and optimizing processes. At the same time, scaling a startup requires more than strong technology — it also requires evidence of real market demand. Platforms like this help teams engage with potential customers, test their hypotheses, and identify opportunities for further growth,” said Ruslan Raqymbay, Investment Director at Quest Ventures.
The jury brought together expertise in industrial digitalization, technology business development, and venture investment, allowing the projects to be assessed in terms of their technological potential, practical implementation, and scalability.
Three winners were selected following the Industry 4.0 Pitch Battle:
1st place — Rock Rigid — a platform that reconstructs missing measurements, reconciles balances, and identifies losses.
2nd place — ROQED Mechanicum — VR/MR simulators for hands-on training of industrial personnel using digital twins of equipment and production facilities.
3rd place — Ecodata — a unified environmental data system for oil and gas companies that automates the calculation of emissions, discharges, and waste in accordance with the regulations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as the preparation of mandatory reports.
“For our team, this victory is first and foremost a confirmation that our solution is in demand within the industry and has strong potential for real-world application. It was particularly valuable to have the opportunity to present our product directly to representatives of the industrial sector, receive professional feedback, and discuss potential implementation scenarios. Our next step is to further develop the product, launch new pilot projects, and scale the solution,” said Salamat Kabdulov, CEO of Rock Rigid (Dereknet).
The Industry 4.0 Pitch Battle provided a platform for direct interaction between technology developers and industrial companies. Finalists had the opportunity to present their products to potential corporate customers, receive feedback from industry experts, and discuss prospects for implementing their technologies in real-world production processes.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 was held as part of Kazakhstan’s Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence and served as the central international event of AI MONTH — a month-long series of events bringing together initiatives in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, entrepreneurship, and human capital development.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 was organized by the Astana Hub International Innovation Cluster jointly with the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Akimat of Astana.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 was funded through sponsorship and supported by the forum’s partners.
Gold Partners: Freedom Bank, Kaspi Bank, Samruk-Kazyna JSC, Kazakhtelecom JSC.
Silver Partner: Halyk Bank.
Business Partner: Beeline Kazakhstan.
Bronze Partner: Yandex Qazaqstan.
Telecom Partner: Freedom Telecom Operations.
Technology Partner: Transtelecom JSC.
Official Airline Partner: Air Astana.
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