On September 15, Astana Hub hosted the Welcome Day for Tech Incubator 2026, a program designed to support projects in smart devices, the Internet of Things, robotics, drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, defence tech, and cybersecurity.
The program received 151 applications. Following the selection process, 66 applicants joined the program: 35 in smart devices, IoT, and robotics; 20 in cybersecurity; and 11 in drones and unmanned aerial vehicles.
“Tech Incubator is Astana Hub’s first specialized program focused on advancing hardware projects, drones, robotics, and other technology solutions. Participants will have access to laboratory equipment, support from mentors and trackers, as well as Astana Hub’s international infrastructure to develop their projects and enter new markets,” said Tanat Uskembayev, Managing Director of Astana Hub.
The program will run for 14 weeks and consist of three stages. Participants will identify the problems their projects aim to solve and define their target audiences, build or strengthen their teams, develop prototypes, validate key hypotheses and business models, conduct initial pilot launches, and prepare their products for scaling. At each stage, the teams will undergo an interim progress assessment. The program will conclude with a final presentation of the projects to potential investors, corporate partners, and members of the technology community.
“Our goal is to help participants progress from an idea to a working product. Throughout the program, the teams will systematically explore market needs, develop prototypes, find their first customers, and validate the viability of their solutions. At the final stage, the most prepared projects will present their results to potential partners and investors,” said Anarbek Utegulov, Director of the Technology Centers Office at Astana Hub.
During the Welcome Day, participants were introduced to the program’s technical mentors and experts:
- Dmitry Ivanov, Director of DroneID, will advise teams on the development and application of unmanned solutions in the real economy, testing procedures, and the integration of technologies into production processes;
- Qazybek Batyr, Director of the Ashyq Aspan Foundation and an expert in unmanned aircraft systems, will help participants adapt their solutions to the needs of potential customers, test their technologies, and develop projects in the UAS sector;
- Azamat Karimov, an engineer at USTEM, will support projects in robotics, Physical AI, and reinforcement learning;
- Nurdaulet Zhuzbay, a robotics engineer, will advise teams on computer vision, robotic system control, and object manipulation;
- Asylbek Murzakhmetov, Head of the USTEM Foundation and Director of the Defence Tech Center under the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, will share his expertise in defence tech, robotics, and the practical implementation of technology solutions;
- Igor Senyushin, Head of R&D at TSARKA, will provide expertise in cybersecurity, system testing, digital forensics, artificial intelligence implementation, and the management of development projects involving external contractors;
- Rasul Rafikov, a software engineer, will advise participants on developing technology products ranging from hardware solutions to fintech services. His expertise covers system architecture and production deployment, cloud solutions, IoT firmware, mobile applications, billing and ERP systems, integrations with Kaspi, Halyk, and electronic invoicing systems, as well as the implementation of AI and large language models. He will also help teams establish effective engineering processes and build high-performing development teams;
- Nurlan Baktigaliyev, Head of Production and Technology Systems Engineer with more than 20 years of experience at Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary, the Gharysh joint venture, Connected Home, Kaztechinnovations, and STAR TIMES Group, will advise participants on radio electronics, satellite systems, manufacturing, and automation. He will support teams in developing hardware solutions, selecting equipment, organizing production, and establishing technical processes—from defining requirements to manufacturing and testing the final product.
The program’s lead tracker will guide the teams through customer research, product hypothesis validation, initial sales and pilot projects, and preparation for scaling. Participants will also receive access to specialized laboratories, testing and prototyping facilities, coworking areas, and other workspaces at Astana Hub.
Tech Incubator 2026 is designed to help technology teams shorten the journey from an idea to a market-validated solution and prepare their projects for cooperation with industry partners and investors.
On September 15, Astana Hub hosted the Welcome Day for Tech Incubator 2026, a program designed to support projects in smart devices, the Internet of Things, robotics, drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, defence tech, and cybersecurity.
The program received 151 applications. Following the selection process, 66 applicants joined the program: 35 in smart devices, IoT, and robotics; 20 in cybersecurity; and 11 in drones and unmanned aerial vehicles.
“Tech Incubator is Astana Hub’s first specialized program focused on advancing hardware projects, drones, robotics, and other technology solutions. Participants will have access to laboratory equipment, support from mentors and trackers, as well as Astana Hub’s international infrastructure to develop their projects and enter new markets,” said Tanat Uskembayev, Managing Director of Astana Hub.
The program will run for 14 weeks and consist of three stages. Participants will identify the problems their projects aim to solve and define their target audiences, build or strengthen their teams, develop prototypes, validate key hypotheses and business models, conduct initial pilot launches, and prepare their products for scaling. At each stage, the teams will undergo an interim progress assessment. The program will conclude with a final presentation of the projects to potential investors, corporate partners, and members of the technology community.
“Our goal is to help participants progress from an idea to a working product. Throughout the program, the teams will systematically explore market needs, develop prototypes, find their first customers, and validate the viability of their solutions. At the final stage, the most prepared projects will present their results to potential partners and investors,” said Anarbek Utegulov, Director of the Technology Centers Office at Astana Hub.
During the Welcome Day, participants were introduced to the program’s technical mentors and experts:
- Dmitry Ivanov, Director of DroneID, will advise teams on the development and application of unmanned solutions in the real economy, testing procedures, and the integration of technologies into production processes;
- Qazybek Batyr, Director of the Ashyq Aspan Foundation and an expert in unmanned aircraft systems, will help participants adapt their solutions to the needs of potential customers, test their technologies, and develop projects in the UAS sector;
- Azamat Karimov, an engineer at USTEM, will support projects in robotics, Physical AI, and reinforcement learning;
- Nurdaulet Zhuzbay, a robotics engineer, will advise teams on computer vision, robotic system control, and object manipulation;
- Asylbek Murzakhmetov, Head of the USTEM Foundation and Director of the Defence Tech Center under the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, will share his expertise in defence tech, robotics, and the practical implementation of technology solutions;
- Igor Senyushin, Head of R&D at TSARKA, will provide expertise in cybersecurity, system testing, digital forensics, artificial intelligence implementation, and the management of development projects involving external contractors;
- Rasul Rafikov, a software engineer, will advise participants on developing technology products ranging from hardware solutions to fintech services. His expertise covers system architecture and production deployment, cloud solutions, IoT firmware, mobile applications, billing and ERP systems, integrations with Kaspi, Halyk, and electronic invoicing systems, as well as the implementation of AI and large language models. He will also help teams establish effective engineering processes and build high-performing development teams;
- Nurlan Baktigaliyev, Head of Production and Technology Systems Engineer with more than 20 years of experience at Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary, the Gharysh joint venture, Connected Home, Kaztechinnovations, and STAR TIMES Group, will advise participants on radio electronics, satellite systems, manufacturing, and automation. He will support teams in developing hardware solutions, selecting equipment, organizing production, and establishing technical processes—from defining requirements to manufacturing and testing the final product.
The program’s lead tracker will guide the teams through customer research, product hypothesis validation, initial sales and pilot projects, and preparation for scaling. Participants will also receive access to specialized laboratories, testing and prototyping facilities, coworking areas, and other workspaces at Astana Hub.
Tech Incubator 2026 is designed to help technology teams shorten the journey from an idea to a market-validated solution and prepare their projects for cooperation with industry partners and investors.
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