The Kazakh delegation at Dubai AI Week was led by Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Under the Central Asian Innovation Hubs banner, startups Qalan, Arlan Biotech, Dereknet, Growz, and Unitlab showcased their cutting-edge AI solutions at the exhibition area, attracting the attention of investors and international corporations.

During Dubai AI Week, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Astana Hub, IT Park Uzbekistan, DIFC Innovation Hub, and Al-Farabi Innovation Hub, outlining plans to launch an international hub and acceleration program in Dubai by fall 2025. These initiatives will provide startups from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with access to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets, including capital, workspaces, and mentorship networks.

"Four innovation hubs, launched in partnership with Uzbekistan, are already successfully operating in the U.S., Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. These hubs have become key gateways for Central Asian startups to enter global markets. Now, we are establishing a presence in the UAE, one of the world’s most dynamic digital economies. Dubai offers unique opportunities for scaling businesses, attracting investment, and forging strategic partnerships, making it an ideal growth platform for Kazakh tech companies," said Magzhan Madiyev, CEO of Astana Hub.

The memorandum also outlines joint initiatives to develop innovation programs, educational tracks for founders, and events aimed at expanding public-private cooperation, fostering knowledge exchange, and promoting collaborative opportunities across the participating ecosystems.

"The opening of a hub in Dubai is a strategic step towards strengthening Central Asia’s position in the global tech market. Together with our partners from Kazakhstan and the UAE, we are building a bridge that will provide startups from Uzbekistan and the broader region with access to the MENA region’s advanced resources, investment opportunities, and expertise. This initiative will not only broaden horizons for our tech specialists but also facilitate the integration of Central Asian innovation into the global digital economy," said Jamila Khalibaeva, Global Marketing Director of IT Park Uzbekistan.

The signing in Dubai follows an earlier agreement between Astana Hub, IT Park Uzbekistan, and Growth Vision Pro Ltd. at the AlmatyFair.ai exhibition, which paves the way for startups from the region to expand into China through the future Shanghai hub. This new agreement further strengthens the international expansion strategy of the Central Asian Innovation Hubs alliance, forming a unified, globally integrated innovation ecosystem for Central Asia.

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Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is a leading global financial center for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. For over 20 years, DIFC has been advancing trade and investment flows between 77 countries with a combined population of around 3.7 billion and a GDP of approximately USD 10.5 trillion. The center connects the rapidly growing MEASA markets with economies in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Al-Farabi Innovation Hub is an innovation platform designed to attract talented entrepreneurs and innovative startups from Central Asia to the MENA region, supporting their entry and business scaling efforts across these markets.