July, 2024
Silkway Accelerator
Sustainability Edition
Joint program of Astana Hub and Google for Startups
The breakthrough traction-focused acceleration program
designed for startups from Central Asia,
Mongolia, Azerbaijan and Georgia
Achievements
6
Participant countries
49
Startups
$26 M
The total volume of attracted investments
$425.1 M
The cumulative valuation of graduates
Why should you apply to Silkway Accelerator?
Traction
- Main tracker
Main Tracker will build strategic path of your stratup where you will grow . Work with Main Tracker will be both on individual and group basis where you will track your progress and hit milestones. Main tracker is responsible for implementing management methods, track the dynamics of business performance, facilitate meetings with partner companies, etc.
- Line tracker
A line tracker helps a startup to achieve specific goals set within the gas pedal program. Startups can meet with their line trackers on a daily basis.
Workshops
- Workshops by Google for Startups and Astana Hub
Highly curated workshops run by experts from Google for Startups and Astana Hub, who share their vast experience on all aspects of growing a startup.
- Guest lectures
The Silkway Accelerator program also includes guest lectures with local and international VCs, successful funders and top managers of technology companies. These lectures provide startups with an opportunity to get valuable advice from experienced professionals and make useful contacts.
Mentors & Experts
- Mentorship and one-to-one sessions with field experts
Google for Startups and Astana Hub provide top-notch industry experts, who have built successful businesses, and will help to build yours. Our experts host one-on-one sessions to discuss challanges and get your company on new level by consulting on every business decision. Our community of mentors includes experts in functional areas such as marketing, finance, sales, MedTech, FinTech, etc.
Investment support
- Invest Days
An event with participation of investors, where a startup can attract investments, get financial support, sharpen presentation skills and get informational support.
- Investor Network
We have established relationships with venture capital funds that manage 200 million in venture capital, as well as business angel clubs with over 200 members. Our graduates are highly sought after by investors, as evidenced by the success of past graduates of the program.
- Investment Proposal
Everything you need as investment proposal will be developed during program, so at the end of the program you will have full package.
- Mock Pitching
Full feedback on investment proposals, pitching from highly advanced experts and VCs.
- Demo Day
Demo your product/service and pitch to a select, invite-only audience of business angels, VC funds and corporations.
Networking & Market entry
- Access to market-leading regional corporates
Connect with corporations and government agencies to have an opportunity of implementing your startups’ technology and get feedback.
- Access to international market (Silk Road Innovation Hub)
Astana Hub rents an office near Stanford, Sillicon Valley at California for about 300 square meters. Events, meetups, networking and studying there would be available for the top achievers .
- Access to exclusive meetings
As part of the ecosystem, you will meet like-minded people and make connections on a daily basis. Conferences, forums and business events in IT and entrepreneurship will open up networking opportunities for you.
-Teambuilding
Team building with startups from the gas pedal with different activities to increase motivation and also motivates them to work towards common goals.
- Alumni network
Get continuous advice and support from our active alumni network.
Infrastructure support
- Accommodation
Free accommodation for 2 team members for 3 months in Astana, within walking distance of the Astana Hub.
- Coworking
We give access to 23,000 square meters of 24/7 access coworking, conference rooms, event halls, in the heart of innovation centre.
- Full Visa support
Find full assistance for international companies with visas and electronic digital signatures.
Full media support
- Regional and global media publications
Top regional and global publishers such as Bloomberg, Forbes, Digital Business and TheTech write about us.
- Astana Hub official page and social networks
Interesting and successful startups will be given the opportunity to participate in interviews and live broadcasts, be published on the official page of Astana Hub, as well as in social networks with a total audience of more than 50 thousand users and a reach of more than 100 thousand views per publication.
Partner resources
- Perks from Google for Startups
Google for Startups partners and their startups receive up to $300,000 in cloud credits depending on startup stage and revenue.
- Perks from other partners
Yandex Could Boost, Github, GOhost.kz, Digital Ocean Hatch, Selzy, Notion, and etc. offer access to their services for our startups.
Criteria for participation
Join the Silkway Accelerator Telegram-chat and receive
• Prompt feedback from the program supervisors
• Networking and community with program participants
Selection Process
April 15
Application period
Applications are accepted until May 24th, 23:59 (+5 GMT, Astana time)
May 27
Initial Screening
Initial screening of applications will be done without your participation, early-stage startups won't proceed further
June 3
Interview with CEO
Comprehensive interview of your project with field experts
June 10
Commission Selection
Top 60 companies will be evaluated by comission
June 17
Announcement of participants
The final list of program participants will be announced on June 17 on all social media outlets
July 1
Orientation week
This is an important step in the accelerator program that helps participants get to know the program, its team and resources.
July 6
Program start
The program will officially begin on July 6, 2024
Results of program participants
.
Feedback from participants of the Silkway Accelerator
Information for foreign applicants (outside of Kazakhstan):
Azerbaijan
Georgia
Kyrgyzstan
Mongolia
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Azerbaijan
— No Visa needed - up to 90 days
— Companies from the Republic of Azerbaijan can apply for a temporary residence permit to stay for up to 1 or 2 years after receiving the IIN(Individual Identification Number) and EDS(electronic digital signature).
— The basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit is a signed Agreement for participation in Silkway Accelerator.
— More detailed information about obtaining an individual identification number and an electronic digital signature can be found here
FAQ
How long will the program last?
The program will last for 3 months, including the Demo Day.
What is the cost of participating in the program?
The program is fully free of charge for the participants.
Can I bring my team members/employees in Astana to participate in the program?
Yes, lodging will be provided for a maximum of 2 people per team.
Is it mandatory for the CEO of the company to participate in Saturday traction meetings?
Yes, the participation of the CEO of the company at Saturday traction meetings is mandatory, without exceptions.
Is it mandatory for a company CEO to attend Saturday track rallies?an I bring my team members/employees to Astana to participate in the program?
Yes, participation of the CEO of the company at Saturday track rallies is mandatory, no exceptions.
Our group has two ideas. Can we submit two applications?
We don‘t recommend it. You should pick your favorite idea and apply with that one.
As a CEO of my company, can I send someone else in my stead to participate in the program?
No, the participation of the CEO on the program is obligatory.
What is the language of the program?
The program will be held in a bilingual format both in English and Russian languages.
I am a founder of a startup/company and my citizenship is from outside of the Central Asian region. Can I apply?
We only accept CEOs whose citizenship is from either Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, and Georgia.
Will there be accomodation offered in the city of Astana?
Yes, for those participants that are in need of accomodation we will be able to provide solutions in Astana.
How do I determine if my startup/company is at PMF, Scale or higher stage?
There are no clear guidelines on what is considered as the PMF or Scale stage of the startup. Our definition is that PMF - working channel of sales, clear of understanding of growth, good unit economy.
Scale - putting funds into the channel of sales.
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