On November 8, the Al-Farabi ScaleUp Program — the first accelerator for startups from Kazakhstan aimed at entering the Saudi Arabian and Middle Eastern markets — was launched at Astana Hub. The event was attended by representatives of the Kazakhstani startup ecosystem, Al-Farabi Innovation Hub, as well as the Executive Director of the QAZTECH Alliance, Zhanbolat Kakishev, and the program's main sponsor, Plug and Play. The program's opening was a significant event for startup entrepreneurs interested in international development and scaling their projects.
As part of the program presentation, a panel session was held where the Executive Director of the QAZTECH Alliance, Zhanbolat Kakishev, emphasized the importance of supporting Kazakhstani startups and technologies. He noted that QAZTECH was created to unite technology companies and stimulate the development of new businesses capable of following the path of successful technology companies in Kazakhstan.
"We created QAZTECH to help Kazakhstani technology companies grow and strengthen their positions in the market, as well as enter the international level," said Mr. Kakishev.
He also shared QAZTECH's plans to support startups and organize meetings with representatives of large private and public companies to establish valuable contacts and present innovative solutions.
Mr. Kakishev added: "We are ready to support technology companies at all stages of their development. The doors of QAZTECH are always open to new initiatives, and we invite startups to collaborate with us for mutual success."
Aslan Sultanov, the founder and CEO of Al-Farabi Innovation Hub, noted that the program is ready to support not only the startups that joined the accelerator but also other companies within QAZTECH that aim to expand into the Saudi Arabian market.
"We offer a personalized approach and all the necessary resources for a successful entry into the MENA market," added Mr. Sultanov.
The Al-Farabi ScaleUp Program provides Kazakhstani startups with a unique opportunity to enter international markets, as well as access to mentorship, educational sessions, and partnership resources. The second phase of the program will take place in Riyadh, where participants will be able to strengthen their positions in the Middle Eastern market.
As part of the program presentation, a panel session was held where the Executive Director of the QAZTECH Alliance, Zhanbolat Kakishev, emphasized the importance of supporting Kazakhstani startups and technologies. He noted that QAZTECH was created to unite technology companies and stimulate the development of new businesses capable of following the path of successful technology companies in Kazakhstan.
"We created QAZTECH to help Kazakhstani technology companies grow and strengthen their positions in the market, as well as enter the international level," said Mr. Kakishev.
He also shared QAZTECH's plans to support startups and organize meetings with representatives of large private and public companies to establish valuable contacts and present innovative solutions.
Mr. Kakishev added: "We are ready to support technology companies at all stages of their development. The doors of QAZTECH are always open to new initiatives, and we invite startups to collaborate with us for mutual success."
Aslan Sultanov, the founder and CEO of Al-Farabi Innovation Hub, noted that the program is ready to support not only the startups that joined the accelerator but also other companies within QAZTECH that aim to expand into the Saudi Arabian market.
"We offer a personalized approach and all the necessary resources for a successful entry into the MENA market," added Mr. Sultanov.
The Al-Farabi ScaleUp Program provides Kazakhstani startups with a unique opportunity to enter international markets, as well as access to mentorship, educational sessions, and partnership resources. The second phase of the program will take place in Riyadh, where participants will be able to strengthen their positions in the Middle Eastern market.