Astana continues to solidify its reputation as the region’s leading innovation hub, thanks to significant progress in developing its startup ecosystem. A key factor behind this success is the contribution of Astana Hub, which has been honored with the prestigious Best Startup Ecosystem in Central Asia award for its achievements in the regional ranking.

The results of StartupBlink’s research highlight Kazakhstan’s competitiveness on the global stage and its potential as a hub for innovation and technological advancement.

"StartupBlink evaluates over 1,300 startup ecosystems across more than 100 countries annually, analyzing 40 key metrics, including the number of startups, accelerators, coworking spaces, job creation, and international success stories," said Tanat Uskembayev, Managing Director of Astana Hub. "For the past three years, Kazakhstan has demonstrated consistent growth in the rankings, further establishing itself within the global startup community. The country also remains a leader among the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program countries."

In 2024, Astana Hub made significant strides in developing Kazakhstan’s startup ecosystem. One of its key initiatives, the Silkway Accelerator, developed in partnership with Google for Startups, successfully graduated 62 startups from over 1,300 applicants across Central Eurasia. These startups collectively reached a market valuation of approximately $500 million, attracting $28.6 million in investments. The Hero Training program, run in collaboration with Draper University, is another key initiative providing startups with opportunities to enter the U.S. market. Since 2023, 37 startups from three Central Asian countries have participated, including CITIX, which secured a $1 million investment from renowned venture capitalist Tim Draper. Additionally, the AI’preneurs program, designed to support AI-driven projects, has successfully launched 21 startups, of which 7 received funding through the Seed Money program.

A pivotal initiative for the regional startup ecosystem was the AlchemistX & Silicon Valley Residency Program, launched in partnership with Alchemist Accelerator and Silkroad Innovation Hub. Through this program, 22 startups from Central Eurasia gained access to the U.S. market, with three securing $1.4 million in investments and eight signing commercial deals totaling $379,000.

Meanwhile, the Global Outsourcer 2.0 program enabled 15 Kazakhstani IT companies to secure 98 export contracts worth over $355,000 with clients from 24 countries, including the U.S., UK, Germany, Canada, UAE, and Australia.

The dynamic growth of Kazakhstan’s IT sector reflects the country’s commitment to innovation and support for technology startups. These initiatives not only enhance Kazakhstan’s attractiveness to international investors but also reinforce its status as a key player in the global startup ecosystem.

About StartupBlink

StartupBlink is a global startup ecosystem mapping and research center, dedicated to tracking the growth dynamics of startup ecosystems and accelerating their development worldwide. Their annual rankings and awards recognize impactful innovations and contributions within startup communities across the globe.

About Astana Hub

Astana Hub is the largest technology park in Central Asia, focused on building and supporting the IT business ecosystem, developing IT talent, and accelerating startup projects. Currently, the tech park hosts around 1,600 IT companies, including over 400 international participants. Residents benefit from comprehensive support, including business scaling programs, special tax and visa incentives, educational resources, and infrastructure for IT innovation.