The international technology forum AI & Digital Bridge 2026 will host the finals of the Draper Founders Challenge, a pitch competition for promising Kazakhstani technology startups launched by Astana Hub in partnership with Draper University.
Following the preliminary selection, the top 10 teams will have the opportunity to present their technology solutions at AI & Digital Bridge 2026 before experts from the venture capital and startup ecosystem.
The jury will include Chris Joannou, VP of Venture Ecosystem at Draper University; Tanat Uskembayev, Managing Director of Astana Hub; and Aidana Bergazdenova, CEO of Astana Hub Ventures.
Three winning teams will be selected in the finals. One representative from each team will receive the opportunity to stay on the Draper University campus in San Mateo, California. This experience will enable participants to immerse themselves in the Silicon Valley environment and the international startup community, gain first-hand exposure to one of the world’s leading technology ecosystems, and acquire valuable international experience to support the further development of their projects.
In addition, Astana Hub will provide the winners with access to the Hero Training 2027 acceleration program.
The Draper Founders Challenge is open to technology startups from Kazakhstan that are developing their own product or solution and are ready to scale further.
Priority areas include Physical AI, robotics and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS), Biotech & Life Sciences, quantum computing, space, defence, aviation and aerospace technologies, FinTech, MedTech, HealthTech and SportTech, industrial manufacturing and biomanufacturing, as well as other technology-driven fields.
Eligible projects must be at the MVP stage or beyond, with a product that has already been developed, launched or is currently undergoing pilot testing. One of the selection criteria is evidence of market demand, such as initial users or customers, pilot projects, revenue, pre-orders, letters of intent (LOIs), partnerships or other proof of product demand.
Founders must be at least 18 years old. Teams must also be prepared to present their projects in English. Each finalist will have three minutes to pitch, followed by a two-minute Q&A session.
Hosting the Draper Founders Challenge finals at AI & Digital Bridge 2026 will contribute to the forum’s startup and venture capital agenda, creating an additional opportunity for Kazakhstani technology entrepreneurs to showcase their solutions to international experts and gain access to the global startup ecosystem.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 will take place on 1–3 October in Astana as part of Kazakhstan’s Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence.
A special high-level program will take place on 1 October, bringing together senior government officials, international delegations and technology industry leaders. Attendance at the events scheduled for this day will be by special invitation only.
The open program of AI & Digital Bridge 2026 will take place on 2 and 3 October. The forum will bring together representatives of global technology companies, international experts and speakers, startups, entrepreneurs and investors. Ticket holders will have access to the forum’s open program on both days.
Applications for the Draper Founders Challenge can be submitted via the following link: https://form.astanahub.com/form/view/246690
This year’s forum has been made possible through the support of its partners and sponsors, with all organizational expenses covered by sponsorship funding. Freedom Bank and Kaspi.kz are the forum’s Gold Partners, BI Group is the Digital Partner, and Air Astana is the Official Airline Partner.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 is organized by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana Hub and the Astana City Administration.
The international technology forum AI & Digital Bridge 2026 will host the finals of the Draper Founders Challenge, a pitch competition for promising Kazakhstani technology startups launched by Astana Hub in partnership with Draper University.
Following the preliminary selection, the top 10 teams will have the opportunity to present their technology solutions at AI & Digital Bridge 2026 before experts from the venture capital and startup ecosystem.
The jury will include Chris Joannou, VP of Venture Ecosystem at Draper University; Tanat Uskembayev, Managing Director of Astana Hub; and Aidana Bergazdenova, CEO of Astana Hub Ventures.
Three winning teams will be selected in the finals. One representative from each team will receive the opportunity to stay on the Draper University campus in San Mateo, California. This experience will enable participants to immerse themselves in the Silicon Valley environment and the international startup community, gain first-hand exposure to one of the world’s leading technology ecosystems, and acquire valuable international experience to support the further development of their projects.
In addition, Astana Hub will provide the winners with access to the Hero Training 2027 acceleration program.
The Draper Founders Challenge is open to technology startups from Kazakhstan that are developing their own product or solution and are ready to scale further.
Priority areas include Physical AI, robotics and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS), Biotech & Life Sciences, quantum computing, space, defence, aviation and aerospace technologies, FinTech, MedTech, HealthTech and SportTech, industrial manufacturing and biomanufacturing, as well as other technology-driven fields.
Eligible projects must be at the MVP stage or beyond, with a product that has already been developed, launched or is currently undergoing pilot testing. One of the selection criteria is evidence of market demand, such as initial users or customers, pilot projects, revenue, pre-orders, letters of intent (LOIs), partnerships or other proof of product demand.
Founders must be at least 18 years old. Teams must also be prepared to present their projects in English. Each finalist will have three minutes to pitch, followed by a two-minute Q&A session.
Hosting the Draper Founders Challenge finals at AI & Digital Bridge 2026 will contribute to the forum’s startup and venture capital agenda, creating an additional opportunity for Kazakhstani technology entrepreneurs to showcase their solutions to international experts and gain access to the global startup ecosystem.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 will take place on 1–3 October in Astana as part of Kazakhstan’s Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence.
A special high-level program will take place on 1 October, bringing together senior government officials, international delegations and technology industry leaders. Attendance at the events scheduled for this day will be by special invitation only.
The open program of AI & Digital Bridge 2026 will take place on 2 and 3 October. The forum will bring together representatives of global technology companies, international experts and speakers, startups, entrepreneurs and investors. Ticket holders will have access to the forum’s open program on both days.
Applications for the Draper Founders Challenge can be submitted via the following link: https://form.astanahub.com/form/view/246690
This year’s forum has been made possible through the support of its partners and sponsors, with all organizational expenses covered by sponsorship funding. Freedom Bank and Kaspi.kz are the forum’s Gold Partners, BI Group is the Digital Partner, and Air Astana is the Official Airline Partner.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 is organized by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana Hub and the Astana City Administration.
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