Applications are open to teams from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Mongolia. Startups can apply through the Astana Hub platform until April 30.
Kazakhstan remains the first and only country in Central Asia to run an acceleration program in partnership with Google for Startups. This year, the program will be held in Almaty for the first time, hosted at Almaty Hub. Relocating the accelerator to Kazakhstan’s southern capital reflects the city’s growing role as a major business center with a vibrant entrepreneurial environment and rapidly expanding IT community, while also broadening the geographical reach of the ecosystem.
Over the past four years, Silkway Accelerator has established itself as one of the region’s most effective startup scaling programs. During this period, the program received 1,470 applications, with only 73 startups successfully completing the acceleration process. Collectively, alumni have raised more than $48 million in investment, while their combined valuation has surpassed $500 million. Graduates have successfully expanded into markets including the UAE, Türkiye, the United States, and beyond. Notable alumni include zypl.ai, Arlan Biotech, NB Fit, UvU, ApartX, Biometric Vision, TrustMe, Mirai Tech, Grand Mobile, and Alaqan.
“Silkway Accelerator taught us how to focus on priorities and target markets while conducting deeper and more effective analysis of international opportunities. Thanks to this experience, Biometric.Vision accelerated its growth, strengthened its team, and refined its product strategy. Silkway Accelerator is a truly powerful international community, and it is great that Kazakhstani startups have the opportunity to be part of it. Today, we have established a strong presence in Kazakhstan, operate in Kyrgyzstan and Malaysia, and are running pilot projects in Mexico, Azerbaijan, Singapore, and the UAE—and this is only the beginning. Silkway Accelerator played a crucial role in this journey and became one of the key drivers of our growth. In my opinion, it is one of the most valuable accelerators we have ever participated in,” said Alibek Narimbay, CEO and Founder of Biometric.Vision and a graduate of the program.
The accelerator runs for 12 weeks and is designed for teams with a market-ready product that are focused on improving key business metrics, entering new markets, and scaling operations.
Participants receive comprehensive support, including free accommodation and office space in Almaty for teams from other cities and countries, access to up to $100,000 in Google Cloud credits and Google Workspace services, as well as guidance from a dedicated growth manager. Throughout the program, startups work closely with experienced mentors and experts who help refine products and accelerate business growth.
“Kazakhstan is one of the few markets in the region where the startup ecosystem has been developing systematically for several years. The infrastructure is in place, acceleration programs are operating, and startups have access to financing and international initiatives. Today, the key challenge is not creating new support instruments but improving startup quality and helping teams scale effectively. In our experience, the main gap is not a lack of ideas or resources, but the ability to successfully navigate market entry and build scalable business models. Silkway Accelerator focuses precisely on this stage—when a startup already has a product, and growth becomes the primary objective,” said Yevgeniy Frolov, one of the lead mentors of the Silkway Accelerator program.
The program concludes with Demo Day, where participating startups present their solutions to a targeted audience of investors, including venture capital funds, angel investors, and strategic partners. The most promising teams may also be shortlisted by Astana Hub Ventures for potential investment opportunities.
Additional information about the program and the application process is available through the Silkway Accelerator 2026 application page.
About the Organizations
Google for Startups is a global entrepreneurship support initiative launched by Google in 2011. The program connects more than 50 startup campuses and accelerators across 125 countries, providing founders with practical tools and resources to grow their businesses.
Astana Hub is the largest international innovation cluster for IT startups in Central Eurasia. Its ecosystem includes more than 2,000 technology companies, including nearly 500 with foreign participation.
Almaty Hub is Astana Hub’s regional branch in Almaty. It supports the development of the local IT community, startup ecosystem, and entrepreneurial environment by providing access to Astana Hub’s programs, expertise, and resources.
Applications are open to teams from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Mongolia. Startups can apply through the Astana Hub platform until April 30.
Kazakhstan remains the first and only country in Central Asia to run an acceleration program in partnership with Google for Startups. This year, the program will be held in Almaty for the first time, hosted at Almaty Hub. Relocating the accelerator to Kazakhstan’s southern capital reflects the city’s growing role as a major business center with a vibrant entrepreneurial environment and rapidly expanding IT community, while also broadening the geographical reach of the ecosystem.
Over the past four years, Silkway Accelerator has established itself as one of the region’s most effective startup scaling programs. During this period, the program received 1,470 applications, with only 73 startups successfully completing the acceleration process. Collectively, alumni have raised more than $48 million in investment, while their combined valuation has surpassed $500 million. Graduates have successfully expanded into markets including the UAE, Türkiye, the United States, and beyond. Notable alumni include zypl.ai, Arlan Biotech, NB Fit, UvU, ApartX, Biometric Vision, TrustMe, Mirai Tech, Grand Mobile, and Alaqan.
“Silkway Accelerator taught us how to focus on priorities and target markets while conducting deeper and more effective analysis of international opportunities. Thanks to this experience, Biometric.Vision accelerated its growth, strengthened its team, and refined its product strategy. Silkway Accelerator is a truly powerful international community, and it is great that Kazakhstani startups have the opportunity to be part of it. Today, we have established a strong presence in Kazakhstan, operate in Kyrgyzstan and Malaysia, and are running pilot projects in Mexico, Azerbaijan, Singapore, and the UAE—and this is only the beginning. Silkway Accelerator played a crucial role in this journey and became one of the key drivers of our growth. In my opinion, it is one of the most valuable accelerators we have ever participated in,” said Alibek Narimbay, CEO and Founder of Biometric.Vision and a graduate of the program.
The accelerator runs for 12 weeks and is designed for teams with a market-ready product that are focused on improving key business metrics, entering new markets, and scaling operations.
Participants receive comprehensive support, including free accommodation and office space in Almaty for teams from other cities and countries, access to up to $100,000 in Google Cloud credits and Google Workspace services, as well as guidance from a dedicated growth manager. Throughout the program, startups work closely with experienced mentors and experts who help refine products and accelerate business growth.
“Kazakhstan is one of the few markets in the region where the startup ecosystem has been developing systematically for several years. The infrastructure is in place, acceleration programs are operating, and startups have access to financing and international initiatives. Today, the key challenge is not creating new support instruments but improving startup quality and helping teams scale effectively. In our experience, the main gap is not a lack of ideas or resources, but the ability to successfully navigate market entry and build scalable business models. Silkway Accelerator focuses precisely on this stage—when a startup already has a product, and growth becomes the primary objective,” said Yevgeniy Frolov, one of the lead mentors of the Silkway Accelerator program.
The program concludes with Demo Day, where participating startups present their solutions to a targeted audience of investors, including venture capital funds, angel investors, and strategic partners. The most promising teams may also be shortlisted by Astana Hub Ventures for potential investment opportunities.
Additional information about the program and the application process is available through the Silkway Accelerator 2026 application page.
About the Organizations
Google for Startups is a global entrepreneurship support initiative launched by Google in 2011. The program connects more than 50 startup campuses and accelerators across 125 countries, providing founders with practical tools and resources to grow their businesses.
Astana Hub is the largest international innovation cluster for IT startups in Central Eurasia. Its ecosystem includes more than 2,000 technology companies, including nearly 500 with foreign participation.
Almaty Hub is Astana Hub’s regional branch in Almaty. It supports the development of the local IT community, startup ecosystem, and entrepreneurial environment by providing access to Astana Hub’s programs, expertise, and resources.
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