Startup Genome is collaborating with Astana Hub to highlight and celebrate Kazakhstan’s flourishing entrepreneurial ecosystem, proudly launching Kazakhstan’s inclusion in the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) by Startup Genome and the Global Entrepreneurship Network. This partnership further cements Kazakhstan’s role as a global and regional hub for startup innovation, supported by its dynamic IT ecosystem, personnel education and growth oriented community and its emergence in the international markets. The GSER 2024, powered by the world’s most quality-controlled dataset on startup ecosystems, analyzes data from over 4.5 million companies across 300+ ecosystems. It ranks the Top 40 global ecosystems and recognizes emerging and regional leaders.

Highlights of Kazakhstan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem -

• Top-Tier Support for Entrepreneurs Drives Astana’s Innovation Boom: Astana is a funding haven. The more than 1,500 companies currently registered at Astana Hub, for global founders looking for the perfect launching pad to become a unicorn, including over 400 foreign members, have generated $943,5 million in tech exports, attracted $665,5 million in investments, achieved a total income of $2.7 billion, and created over 28,000 jobs. In May 2024, Astana Hub launched Astana Hub Ventures, a venture capital fund aiming to create a unicorn by 2027, by forming a portfolio of 20 promising startups. The venture fund bolsters support for exports and the global expansion of Kazakhstani IT products through financing and access to international markets.

• Training Tech Specialists to Fuel Growth in Astana and Abroad: Astana Hub dedicates a significant portion of its efforts to training tech specialists and entrepreneurs. Kazakhstan is also committed to supporting women’s tech success. Programs such as IT Aiel and Tech Girls support women entrepreneurship, providing free IT training to more than 1,000 unemployed women in 2023 and over 2,200 women from 17 regions in Kazakhstan in 2024. Tech Orda, an initiative of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was developed with Astana Hub to enhance human capital in the tech sector. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) surges to become the most in-demand tech sector, Kazakhstan is poised to launch best-in-class startups led by leading specialists in the field. Tomorrow School is the first AI school in Kazakhstan, offering a unique opportunity to receive free on-campus education in the field of AI without requiring any prior programming experience.

• Astana Gains International Reach in Silicon Valley: The dynamic hub has already made gains in establishing itself as a reliable partner for the biggest players in the fields of IT and startup development. Astana Hub was the first partner of Google for Startups in Central Asia, launching the joint Silkway Accelerator in 2022. In partnership with California-based Draper University, Astana Hub launched the Hero Training Program to bridge Central Eurasia and California, which offered new opportunities to 30+ startups from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, and Georgia in Silicon Valley. The third cohort of the program started in October 2024. Astana Hub also introduced two acceleration programs in Silicon Valley in 2024 through partnerships with AlchemistX and the SilkRoad Innovation Hub. The initiatives have enabled 23 startups to accelerate their growth in the Bay Area and expand into the U.S. market.

"Astana Hub’s mission is to elevate Kazakhstan’s tech sector to a global stage, creating real opportunities for innovation and economic growth. We’re not just fostering startups; we’re establishing Kazakhstan as a bridge between Central Asia and the world, empowering local talent to compete internationally,” says Magzhan Madiyev, CEO of Astana Hub. “By supporting every phase of a startup’s journey — from training and funding to global acceleration programs — we’re opening doors for them in Silicon Valley and beyond.”

The Report is driven by a consortium of representatives from 40+ countries and looks at the current state of startup activity and related investment, providing insights and guidance to public and private leaders on how to foster thriving startup communities — the #1 engine of job creation and economic growth. Contributions from expert thought leaders and local key players further enrich the report's extensive, evidence-based findings, which are the product of over a decade of Startup Genome's independent research and policy work.

“Startup Genome is honored to collaborate with Kazakhstan to highlight the exceptional growth and potential of its dynamic startup ecosystem,” shares Marc Penzel, Founder & President of Startup Genome. “Kazakhstan’s burgeoning tech landscape, anchored by Astana Hub, is transforming the region and showcasing the country’s commitment to becoming a global leader in innovation and technology. We are excited to see the impact that Kazakhstan’s talented entrepreneurs will make as they expand into new markets and help redefine Central Asia’s future.”

View the full report here.