Astana Smart City encompasses a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, water management, landscaping, waste management, education, transport, and utilities. Projects from around the globe at the MVP stage and beyond are welcome to apply for participation until July 7 of this year.

The program aims to address several key challenges. First and foremost, startups are given a unique opportunity to pilot their innovative solutions in real urban conditions. Special emphasis is placed on the development of artificial intelligence technologies to optimize urban processes. Additionally, a crucial aspect of the program is to provide cutting-edge solutions that enhance urban infrastructure and services.

To support Astana Smart City participants, seed funding is available through the Seed Money program from Astana Hub. The 10 best projects will each receive up to 5 million tenge. This initiative is expected to bolster Astana’s status as an information technology hub, create opportunities for scaling and exporting developed solutions to international markets, enhance the city’s competitiveness, and contribute to the development of an innovative economy.

The selection process involves several stages: online applications, initial screening, interviews with experts, and a final selection of 20 startups. The program kicks off on August 5 and will be conducted offline over three months. During the training, participants will have access to industry experts, group seminars, and individual consultations. They will also engage in traction meetings with line trackers and receive weekly consultations with a lead tracker. Startups will have the opportunity to pilot their solutions in real institutions, allowing them to refine their IT solutions and adapt them to the needs of residents.

The final stage of the program will be Demo Day, where participants will present the results of their pilot projects to representatives of the Akimat and ecosystem experts. The best IT solutions will be selected for further implementation.

For more details about the Astana Smart City program and to apply for participation, please visit the astanahub.com platform.