The event served as a dynamic platform for female founders to showcase their innovative projects to Big Sky Capital VC, a leading venture capital (VC) firm known for its commitment to inclusive investment and supporting women in Tech.

The Invest Day aimed to create meaningful opportunities for women founders, particularly those leading early-stage tech ventures, to connect with investors and drive innovation in the region. Within a week, the event received 46 applications from across the region, of which 16 startups were selected to pitch. These startups demonstrated key criteria valued by Big Sky Capital, including a working MVP (minimum viable product), a tested business model (preferable B2B), and a strong team. The diversity of startups showcased was impressive, with women founders presenting innovative solutions across a wide range of sectors, including Cybersecurity, FemTech, FinTech, Game Development, HealthTech, Industrial Tech, Green Tech, and HRTech.

Although the primary pitch was directed at Big Sky Capital VC, the event attracted interest from other prominent venture capital firms, eager to explore the innovative opportunities presented by women founders. Esteemed investors who provided invaluable feedback to the participants included Adil Nurgozhin, Founding Partner of Big Sky Capital VC, and Jenny Jenish Kyzy (Ensi T.), its Venture Partner. They were joined by Inkar Ospanova of MOST Ventures, Nazerke Kalidolda from Sturgeon Capital, and Daniel Abdyldaev of Accelerate Prosperity, ADVentures. This collective engagement reflects a shared commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs and driving innovation across the region.

As a result of the event, many participating startups are anticipated to gain increased attention and attract potential investment opportunities from VC firms and investors.

Since its launch in 2023, Big Sky Capital VC has raised $20 million USD and continues to expand its funding efforts. Among its portfolio of over 30 startups, three are led by women founders, underscoring the significant gender gap in the venture capital industry—where Globally, women-led startups receive less than 2% of total venture capital funding. In 2024, Jenny Jenish Kyzy joined Big Sky Capital as a Venture Partner, with a mission to accelerate access to VC funding for women founders. Drawing on her extensive experience in social entrepreneurship in Central Asia and her work with the United Nations advancing STEM initiatives, Jenny played a pivotal role in shaping the empowering community of Women Founders in Central Asia. 

As Big Sky Capital enters its second fundraising round, the firm aims to expand its focus to include the sustainable development agenda, with gender equality as a key priority. This strategic direction reinforces Big Sky Capital’s dedication to fostering diversity and creating impactful opportunities in the venture capital ecosystem.

"We are thrilled to see the quality and diversity of startups from Central Asia," said Adil Nurgozhin, co-founder of Big Sky Capital. "This event highlights the incredible potential of women entrepreneurs in the region and reinforces our commitment to helping bridge the gender gap in venture capital funding."

Jenny Jenish Kyzy highlighted the importance of the event, stating, “It’s time to shatter the myth that less than 2% of VC funding goes to women-led startups. We recognize that this is a societal challenge requiring a systemic approach, and I’m excited to see other VC partners, academic institutions, and IT hubs joining us in this mission. Today’s event is a testament to our collective commitment, and I look forward to driving even greater impact together as we move into 2025.”

Astana Hub, the driving force behind the event, is dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and diverse startup ecosystem in Central Asia. The Invest Day provided valuable exposure and networking opportunities for startups that have the potential to transform industries and create positive social impact.

“We are excited about the future of women entrepreneurship in Central Asia and look forward to seeing many of these startups succeed and secure funding in the future,” said Almagul Tapayeva, chief manager of the international relations and investments office at Astana Hub. “This is just the beginning, and we are committed to continuing to support women-led ventures and initiatives like this one."

Big Sky Capital is deepening its commitment to gender equity by nurturing a growing community of Central Asian Women Founders and Investors. This Telegram platform will provide regular insights from the venture capital industry, foster idea exchange among women founders, and serve as a catalyst for collaboration. In partnership with the region’s leading IT Hubs, this initiative will continue to expand in 2025 through dedicated women-focused activities and ongoing support for this vibrant community.

This collaborative effort reflects the rising momentum for women founders in Central Asia’s tech ecosystem and underscores the importance of creating platforms to amplify their impact. Events like Invest Day are vital in bridging the gap between women-led startups and venture capital, driving inclusive innovation and empowering the next wave of entrepreneurial leaders in the region.

About Astana Hub

Astana Hub is the largest technology park in Central Asia, dedicated to fostering a robust tech ecosystem by supporting startup development and training tech professionals. With over 1,500 registered tech companies, including nearly 400 international members, Astana Hub offers comprehensive support through business scaling programs, tax and visa benefits, educational resources, and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

About Big Sky Capital VC

Big Sky Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm with a focus on supporting underrepresented founders. With offices in Miami, Kazakhstan, and Singapore, the firm’s portfolio includes over 30 startups. Big Sky Capital’s $20 million USD fund, launched in 2023, is dedicated to supporting immigrant and women-led businesses, particularly in the tech sector.

About IT Park Uzbekistan

IT Park Uzbekistan is a government initiative aimed at fostering the development of the IT and tech startup ecosystem in Uzbekistan. The park provides support and resources to entrepreneurs looking to scale their technology-driven ideas.

About High Technology Park of the Kyrgyz Republic

The High Technology Park of the Kyrgyz Republic is an initiative designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in Kyrgyzstan. It provides resources and support to startups and emerging businesses in the tech sector.