Following a thorough screening and diagnostics process, five projects from each country were invited to join the program. Kazakhstan was represented by FinFlow, an AI-powered financial assistant for SMEs; eXpace, a smart parking platform; ioka, an online payments ecosystem offering businesses in Kazakhstan and beyond a secure and seamless payment platform; AskAlem, a platform for instant and secure payments between AI agents; and Qulla AI innovates solutions for unmanned aerial systems and electronic warfare. Uzbekistan was represented by Fleetroot, a first-to-market, unified SaaS platform optimizing last-mile logistics; BRB-Tech, a Tashkent-based IT company delivering tailored digital solutions; GEOMOTIVE, a cutting-edge DOOH advertising marketplace; Gluon builds a white-label marketplace of digital solutions for banks; and LaCafe, an innovative restaurant SaaS platform designed to streamline the dining experience for both restaurants and customers.
“We see how startups from Central Asia are demonstrating increasingly confident growth and a high level of technological maturity. The program received 132 applications, including 56 from Kazakhstan and 52 from Uzbekistan. Such strong interest indicates that the region is forming its own sustainable pipeline of strong tech teams. The GCC market today shows a high demand for innovation, and our startups are entering it with competitive products and ambitions for global growth. We are confident they will find their place in this dynamic ecosystem,” said Tanat Uskembayev, Managing Director of Astana Hub.
Over the course of the 8-week program, the teams refined their products, tested hypotheses, adapted their solutions to local market specifics, developed localization strategies, and worked with experts from DIFC Innovation Hub, corporate partners, and regional investors.
“This program has demonstrated that Central Asian startups can confidently compete on a global level. Demo Day is not the conclusion but the beginning of a new stage for the teams. We will continue opening doors for them in the UAE and the wider region,” said Aslan Sultanov, Managing Partner and CEO of White Hill Capital.
The event was attended by representatives of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the UAE, regional venture funds, and corporate innovation centers. The teams shared their growth vision, strategic goals, and plans to establish a presence in Dubai, including company registration, team expansion, and partnership development. Following the program, the startups will continue receiving post-acceleration support to integrate into the UAE market infrastructure.
For reference
Scale Up Program is an initiative of the Central Asian Innovation Hubs brand aimed at supporting and scaling Central Asian startups in Middle Eastern markets. Tumar Innovation Hub serves as the program operator in the UAE.
Following a thorough screening and diagnostics process, five projects from each country were invited to join the program. Kazakhstan was represented by FinFlow, an AI-powered financial assistant for SMEs; eXpace, a smart parking platform; ioka, an online payments ecosystem offering businesses in Kazakhstan and beyond a secure and seamless payment platform; AskAlem, a platform for instant and secure payments between AI agents; and Qulla AI innovates solutions for unmanned aerial systems and electronic warfare. Uzbekistan was represented by Fleetroot, a first-to-market, unified SaaS platform optimizing last-mile logistics; BRB-Tech, a Tashkent-based IT company delivering tailored digital solutions; GEOMOTIVE, a cutting-edge DOOH advertising marketplace; Gluon builds a white-label marketplace of digital solutions for banks; and LaCafe, an innovative restaurant SaaS platform designed to streamline the dining experience for both restaurants and customers.
“We see how startups from Central Asia are demonstrating increasingly confident growth and a high level of technological maturity. The program received 132 applications, including 56 from Kazakhstan and 52 from Uzbekistan. Such strong interest indicates that the region is forming its own sustainable pipeline of strong tech teams. The GCC market today shows a high demand for innovation, and our startups are entering it with competitive products and ambitions for global growth. We are confident they will find their place in this dynamic ecosystem,” said Tanat Uskembayev, Managing Director of Astana Hub.
Over the course of the 8-week program, the teams refined their products, tested hypotheses, adapted their solutions to local market specifics, developed localization strategies, and worked with experts from DIFC Innovation Hub, corporate partners, and regional investors.
“This program has demonstrated that Central Asian startups can confidently compete on a global level. Demo Day is not the conclusion but the beginning of a new stage for the teams. We will continue opening doors for them in the UAE and the wider region,” said Aslan Sultanov, Managing Partner and CEO of White Hill Capital.
The event was attended by representatives of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the UAE, regional venture funds, and corporate innovation centers. The teams shared their growth vision, strategic goals, and plans to establish a presence in Dubai, including company registration, team expansion, and partnership development. Following the program, the startups will continue receiving post-acceleration support to integrate into the UAE market infrastructure.
For reference
Scale Up Program is an initiative of the Central Asian Innovation Hubs brand aimed at supporting and scaling Central Asian startups in Middle Eastern markets. Tumar Innovation Hub serves as the program operator in the UAE.
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