There were 197 applications from startups across 7 countries for the fourth batch of Silkway Accelerator. Out of these, 15 projects were selected, with participants from Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. They successfully completed a 12-week intensive program.

"The President has set a goal to achieve $1 billion in export revenue by 2026. Similar to the platform already established in Silicon Valley (USA), we plan to set up a similar center in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. We fully support our startups' expansion into these markets, including through the Silkway Accelerator program. As a result of the fourth batch of Silkway Accelerator, 49 startups have entered international markets. The cumulative valuation of these companies is $250 million, with an MRR of $2.2 million, and they have attracted $8.1 million during the acceleration," said Magzhan Madiyev, CEO of Astana Hub.

For example, the Zebra Eye startup, which developed AI-based software for diagnosing eye pathologies using medical imaging analysis, received a $200,000 commitment from private investors during the accelerator.

"Participating in the program helped us solve problems not only in our business but also in our team. This is a significant transformation that will become more evident in the long term. Already, we have established partnerships with government bodies, found ways to enter the market of private clinics, and interested the country's largest multi-profile clinic networks," shared Yana Ten, CEO of Zebra Eye.

On Demo Day, program graduates presented their startups. Kazakhstani startups included: Aqyl Battle with its mobile game boasting over 600,000 registrations and 30 million played games. The OILA mobile app helps children overcome gadget addiction using a gadget. Python RPA developed a platform for automating repetitive tasks for system integrators and managed service providers. Arlan Biotech possesses a revolutionary technology for generating and producing nanobodies based on AI technology, which is faster and cheaper than any existing technologies. Tastamat offers a network of self-service parcel storage lockers.

Mongolian startups included: Carepay, offering a fintech solution aimed at providing equal, accessible, and affordable medical services for all. Metacog Metrics develops a system for indirectly assessing soft skills using game mechanics to enhance personnel selection efficiency and reduce staff turnover in companies. Metaland Metaverse integrates all real communications and services.

The Uzbek startup Dalatek invented an "Amazon" for vegetables and fruits. The Kyrgyz startup Mystory creates fairy tales generated by artificial intelligence, where the customer is the protagonist.

Kazakhstan is the first and only country in Central Asia to have launched an accelerator in collaboration with the global company Google for Startups. The training is conducted in an offline format in Astana and lasts three months. Participants are provided with free accommodation, visa support for international participants, and training and mentoring from Google for Startups and Astana Hub.

More information about the participants of the first, second, and third batch can be found on the astanahub.com platform.

Google for Startups is a startup program launched by Google Corporation in 2011. It comprises over 50 coworking spaces and accelerators in 125 countries, providing practical lessons for tech entrepreneurs.