This steady increase demonstrates that women are not only making their mark in the tech industry but are also taking the lead in building successful and innovative companies. Astana Hub actively supports female entrepreneurship in tech by providing access to educational programs, accelerators, and investment opportunities.

“The industry of technology is rapidly shaping the future of the economy, science, and society. However, women still represent only about 30% of the workforce in this sector, highlighting the importance of bridging this gap. Astana Hub, together with its partners, is working to increase female participation in tech. Initiatives like IT Aiel and Tech Girls, launched in collaboration with the National Commission on Women’s Affairs and Family-Demographic Policy under the President of Kazakhstan and TechnoWomen, have already opened doors for thousands of women to enter the digital workforce. The Level Up Program, run jointly with UNICEF and GameLab KBTU, trained over 200 women in GameDev. Additionally, AI Skills Accelerator for Girls—an initiative launched with ITU, the leading UN agency for technology—helped young women aged 18–25 develop AI-related skills,” said Daniya Akhmetova, Managing Director of Astana Hub.

Women-led startups at Astana Hub are achieving remarkable success. For example, Laura Yeraliyeva’s YAYA platform, which facilitates bookings for children’s activities, secured $210,000 in investments, expanded to Uzbekistan, and reached the semifinals of the Startup World Cup. Tota Smatova’s CheckDoc, a digital lab for on-site medical diagnostics, raised $300,000 in funding within a year, enhanced its technological capabilities, expanded its development team, and partnered with over 300 clinics.

Asylzat Issatayeva’s AIDENTIS, an AI-powered dental diagnostics startup, secured $200,000 in funding, bringing its total investment to $500,000. Yana Ten’s ZebraEye received a $40,000 grant, was invited to present at Qatar Science & Technology Park under the Qatar Foundation, signed an option deal with venture fund New Native, Inc., became a partner at Web Summit Qatar 2025, and joined the Global Innovation Link program in Qatar.

Aidana Aituarova’s Porte Tech developed a SaaS solution for the hospitality industry and won $100,000 in the Taqadam competition in Saudi Arabia. Meruert Alpieva’s Algapay helps employees access their wages before payday, reducing staff turnover at partner companies by 15–20%. Makpal Ikramova’s Inventivo, a rehabilitation platform using computer vision, was longlisted for the Aurora Tech Award 2025, a prestigious prize recognizing female-led tech startups with global impact.

Astana Hub continues to expand initiatives that create new opportunities for women in tech. Gender diversity not only drives innovation but also strengthens the digital economy, making it more resilient and competitive. The growing number of women-led startups is a testament to Kazakhstan’s increasingly inclusive innovation ecosystem and the vital role of female entrepreneurs in the country’s digital transformation.