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Exclusive acceleration program designed to JUMPSTART your startup into the Global Markets
Change the world as you live, learn and grow in Silicon Valley among the smartest minds and the most ambitious people from around the worldAstana Hub and Draper University are partnering to bridge the IT-communities of Turkic countries and California to open opportunities for local startups to step up in tech capital of the world – Silicon Valley.
We will help you to:
Exposure
Hero Training is an immersive learning experience in the Tech Capital – Silicon Valley, with an opportunity to attract Smart Money from the leading Venture Capitalists.
Created for ambitious entrepreneurs, looking to build on their existing skill sets, expand their network, and get ahead in launching a business. They can plug into the energy and excitement that permeates Silicon Valley, and learn to think like an entrepreneur.
Gain Expertise
The program is delivered by Silicon Valley experts, and aims to provide participants with the knowledge and skills they need to turn their ideas into successful startups. The program is divided into 12 modules, each focused on a different aspect of startup development and entrepreneurship.
Fundraise
Upon completion of the Hero Training, the graduates will be integrated in Silicon Valley and have the opportunity to Raise Global Funding.
Take your first steps into the IT community of Silicon Valley by leveraging the benefits of mentorship and community from Draper University.Push your limits
Our program is designed to challenge and inspire startups, pushing them beyond their limits and helping them to achieve their full potential. Through our eduactional workshops, networking sessions, and mentorship, we will help startups to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in the fast-paced world of tech.
Why Draper’s Ecosystem?
38
Years in Venture
11
Funds Managed
$7
Billion Deployed
34
Unicorn Companies
3300
Students Educated
700
Startups Accelerated
$950M
Raised
101
Countries with Alumni
The Program Consists of 3 Stages
01
Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship
Online Pre-Acceleration Program
• Num. of Participants: Up to 80
• Duration: 2 weeks
• Format: Virtual
Program consists of:
- Business Development
- Online Activities
- 1:1 Mentoring
- Aссess to Pre-Seed funding up to $100,000 from Draper University's dedicated alumni fund
• Sponsored by Astana Hub
• Decision Maker (CEO/Founder) participation: Obligatory participation of CEO or project founder, with a majority stake in the company
02
Hero Training
On-site acceleration in Silicon Valley
• Num. of Participants: 20
• Duration: 5 weeks
• Format: offline in Draper University Campus, Silicon Valley
Topics covered:
- Vision and Future
- Money and Resources
- Strenght and Speed
- Legal and Justice
- Creativity
- Special Power
- Evangelism
- Survival
- Ideal pitchdeck
• Participation Fee (see details below)
• Decision Maker (CEO/Founder) participation: Obligatory participation of CEO or project founder, with a majority stake in the company
03
Residency Program
Fundraising and Sales Period
• Num. of Participants: 20
• Duration: 20 weeks
• Format: offline in Draper University Campus, Silicon Valley
What's included:
- Co-working Space
- Co-living Space
- Networking
- Mentorship
- Community
- Fundraising opportunities
• Participation Fee (see details below)
* The CEO or founder of a company has the right to send an official representative to Silicon Valley to continue participation in the Residency Program
Hero Training | Past Speakers
Global game-changers
Important Dates
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April 7
Application Deadline
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April 17
Virtual pre-acceleration
(2-weeks, online)
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May 7
Selection of TOP-20 project to the Hero Training Program
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May 22
Hero Training in Silicon Valley
(5-weeks, on-site)
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June 24
Residency Program in Silicon Valley
(20-weeks, on-site)
Limited seats available!
Features of The Program
Infrastructure
• Co-living: Living Space designed for entrepreneurs in the birthplace of leading Tech Giants
• Co-working: Get access to a co-working community that promotes creativity, collaboration & entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley.
Education
• Expertise - Elevate your startup to the international level with the expertise provided by top Silicon Valley speakers like Elon Musk.
• Mentorship - Guidance from mentors that have facilitated the growth of a number of successful startups.
Networking
• Fundraising - Entering the Draper Ecosystem will put your startup on the spotlight of the top investors
• Networking - Leverage the extensive IT networking opportunities that are open to the members of Draper Ecosystem.
Requirements of Participation in each part of the Program
ONLINE
Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship
OFFLINE
Hero Training & Residency Program
• Stage: We accept startups at MVP (minimum viable product), PMF (product/market fit) and Scale stage (projects at scale and export stage) or IT-outsourcing companies ready to scale into new markets.
• CEO participation: Obligatory participation of CEO or project founder, with a majority stake in the company
• Tech startup or IT outsourcing company: A startup must include a Tech-component in its structure.
• The language of the program: Good understanding of English to master the material provided.
• For Organization of Turkic States (OTS) member countries only:- Azerbaijan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyz Republic
- Turkiye
- Uzbekistan
* For the citizens and startups from OTS Countries
Note: Alumni of Astana Hub Programs such as Silkway Accelerator and Scalerator programs will have an advantage in the selection process
Participation fee – Special Offer by Astana Hub
| Selected participant must pay participation fee to get access into Hero Training and Residency Program
Get an opportunity to raise funding from
Program Partner - My Ventures
FAQ
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What are the requirements for participation in the Program?
Requirements for participation in the online part of the program
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Stage: We accept startups at MVP(minimum viable product), PMF (product/market fit) and Scale stage (projects at scale and export stage) or IT-outsourcing companies ready to scale into new markets.
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CEO participation: Obligatory participation of CEO or project founder, with a majority stake in the company
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Tech startup or IT outsourcing company: A startup must include a Tech-component in its structure.
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The language of the program: Good understanding of English to master the material provided.
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For Organization of Turkic States (OTS) member countries only:
- Azerbaijan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyz Republic
- Turkiye
- Uzbekistan
* For the citizens and startups from OTS Countries
To pass on-site portion of the program in Silicon Valley, the following requirements must be met:
Successful completion of the ONLINE part of the program
Availability of Funds: to pay for all expenses not covered by the Program, such as travel, meal, visa, insurance, Participation fee and other expenses arising during the your stay in the United States.
Valid US Visa OR submitted Visa application
* Program participants are required to independently apply for a U.S. visa in case of selection in the Top 20 projects to travel to Silicon Valley.
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What is the duration of the Program?
Program consists of 2 stages:
Online
Pre-acceleration program
Duration: 2 weeks
On-site in Silicon Valley
- Hero Training
Duration: 5 weeks
Residency Program
Duration: 20 weeks - Hero Training
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What is the cost of participation in the Program?
The cost of participation in the online part of the program is subsidised by Astana Hub.
The subsequent cost of participation in the on-site part of the program in Silicon Valley, which includes the Hero Training and Residency Program (not including airfare, visa fees, insurance, and meals), is:
$5,000 for residents of Astana Hub
$25,000 for non-residents of Astana Hub
* If you are non-resident, but want to become a resident and get a Special Offer by Astana Hub, you have to apply and become a resident of Astana Hub by the end of August 2023.
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In what language will the program be conducted?
Language of the whole program is English.
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I am the Decision Maker (CEO/Founder) of a startup/company and my citizenship is not from an OTS country. Can I apply?
We only accept CEOs whose citizenship belongs to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
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Can I bring family members with me to Silicon Valley?
Astana Hub and/or Draper University do not cover any costs associated with bringing a family member or others.
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What is the timeline for the program?
Online pre-acceleration program dates:
April 17 - April 30
Hero Training:
May 22 - June 23
Residency Program:
June 24 - December 24 -
Do I get guaranteed investments/grants during the program?
No, there will not be guaranteed investments or grants during the programme.
However, the participants will be added to the Draper’s and Astana Hub’s alumni list, which will guarantee a spotlight of some of the biggest investors. -
Do I have to be physically present in Silicon Valley for the whole duration of the on-site program in Silicon Valley?
Participation of the CEO or project founder, with a majority stake in the company is obligatory in Hero Training.
Participation of the CEO or project founder, with a majority stake in the company is not obligatory in the Residency Program.* The CEO or founder of a company has the right to send an official representative to Silicon Valley to continue participation in the Residency Program
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How do I determine whether my startup is at MVP, PMF or Scale stages?
There is no clear guideline for defining what counts as the MVP, PMF or Scale stage of a startup.
Our definition is: MVP - a minimum viable productPMF - a working sales channel, a clear understanding of growth, positive unit economics.
Scale - startup is at the stage where the funds are allocated into the sales channels to increase.
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Can a co-founder participate in the program instead of a CEO?
Participation of a CEO or project founder, with a majority stake in the company is obligatory for the program.
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What is Draper University?
Draper University is a private, for-profit school located in San Mateo, California. It offers a leading pre-acceleration program in Silicon Valley, is proud to partner with diverse markets, institutions and organizations powered by various governments to fuel the growth of innovation hubs around the world.
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What’s covered in the Participation Fee?
By submitting the Participation Fee, participants of the program will have access to an intensive, immersive accelerator program in Silicon Valley. Access to co-living and co-working spaces, events, networking and mentorship support is covered by the Program.
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What do I get by being an Astana Hub resident?
By becoming an Astana Hub resident you get access to a variety of benefits, including tax exemptions, Partner resources, simplified working visa regime, A-class working spaces and other facilities. More about becoming an Astana Hub resident at this link
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By becoming the Astana Hub resident, which portion of the Participation fee will I get back?
For those participants, who already submitted a payment of $25,000 Participation Fee and later obtained Astana Hub residence, deposit of $20,000 will be refunded.
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Will the Silkway Accelerator, Scalerator or any other Astana Hub acceleration programs alumni get a preference in the selection process of Hero Training?
Yes, alumni of the Silkway Accelerator, Scalerator programs will get a preference in the selection of Hero Training.
Still have questions?
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