This year, 49 startups from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan applied for the program. After an initial screening and online evaluation by an expert committee, the 10 best projects were selected. The finalists included Kazakhstani startups Outpeer, Beksar, BULT, BeyimTech, AMAN, Oqylyq, Ecodata, Pwron.ai, Q-send, as well as Onbir.app from Kyrgyzstan.

"Hero Training continues to prove its effectiveness, providing startups with unique opportunities for scaling. During previous cohorts, 37 finalists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey collectively raised $2.7 million in investments. We are proud to provide a platform that opens new horizons for startups and helps them reach a global level," said Magzhan Madiev, CEO of Astana Hub.

The third cohort finalists also achieved outstanding results under the mentorship of leading Silicon Valley experts. They participated in a series of workshops and intense challenges, including the Survival Week, where they learned survival skills and decision-making in extreme conditions.

Notably, for the first time in Draper University’s history, a Kazakh participant—BeyimTech—was named the top team in the Hero Training program, earning the title "Best Draper University Team 2024" among 70 participants from 26 countries.

"This recognition of our startup as an innovative solution in the field of digital education opens new opportunities for our further development. Our nameplate will now adorn the Wall of Honor at Draper University," said Nursultan Dyusebaev, CEO of BeyimTech. "We also established a strategic partnership with Arizona State University to implement our platform, beyim.ai, and are now contenders for the prestigious GSV Cup 50 award in the U.S.," he added.

AMAN, Kazakhstan's first innovative service providing round-the-clock digital and physical security, tested several hypotheses and gained insights for entering the U.S. market. "Our team established connections with startup founders from 26 countries, opening up new opportunities for international scaling. The program helped us develop leadership skills and teamwork," emphasized Shyngys Yerbolat, co-founder and CPO of AMAN.

The Q-Send startup, a blockchain-based money transfer platform, established partnerships with companies in the U.S. and Kyrgyzstan, helping them expand their business in these markets. The Pwron.ai project, specializing in AI for business process automation and data analysis, conducted customer development on the U.S. target market and secured its first deal in Kazakhstan with an annual contract for the maximum subscription. Additionally, the startup reached an agreement for sales in the Miami market, opening prospects for expansion into other markets.

The Hero Training program, founded by venture capitalist Tim Draper, is aimed at technology startups with ready-to-market products at the MVP stage or higher. The program provides participants with unique opportunities for rapid scaling and entry into the U.S. market under the guidance of experienced technology entrepreneurs and experts from the Draper Ecosystem, while attracting attention from investors and partners worldwide.

For more information on the exclusive Hero Training accelerator program and participants from the first and second cohorts, visit the Astana Hub platform.

About Draper Ecosystem

Draper Ecosystem is a unique approach to uniting talents, experts, and investors by providing cutting-edge facilitators and an unprecedented network of mentors, industry experts, corporate partners, and investors to support the innovative ecosystem. Draper University was founded by Tim Draper, the largest venture investor in the U.S.