Original Coverage & Source Attribution: astanatimes.com
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s international technology cluster, Astana Hub, is marking its eighth anniversary, with ecosystem participants generating $6.7 billion in total revenue, $2.4 billion in IT services exports, and attracting more than $2 billion in startup investment since 2019.
Photo credit: Astana Hub
Today, the ecosystem brings together 2,700 companies, including 560 with foreign participation, positioning Astana Hub as a key center for technology entrepreneurship, investment, and innovation in Central Eurasia, Astana Hub reported on Nov. 6.
“Today, Astana Hub is a fully fledged technology ecosystem bringing together 2,700 companies, including 560 with foreign participation. It provides an environment where ideas become products, startups grow into international businesses, and talented people find opportunities to fulfill their potential,” said Astana Hub CEO Magzhan Madiyev.
He noted that the ecosystem’s achievements reflect sustained efforts to develop entrepreneurship, technology and human capital, adding that its greatest accomplishments are measured not only by economic performance but also by the people, companies and technologies shaping Kazakhstan’s digital economy.
Expanding regional and international presence
Astana Hub’s network now includes 20 regional IT hubs, which serve as centers for IT education, startup development and local technology communities. Since their launch, they have hosted more than 5,200 events, attracting 80,000 participants and showcasing 700 startups.
Kazakhstan’s technology profile has also been strengthened through major international events, including the Digital Qazaqstan forum in Shymkent, AI & Digital Bridge 2026 in Astana and the first GITEX AI Kazakhstan.
Another milestone was HackAlem AI, which brought together 2,415 participants and set a Guinness World Record with the participation of NVIDIA and OpenAI.
Astana Hub is also expanding its international presence through innovation hubs in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, China, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. Its international programs help Kazakhstan startups access foreign markets, investment and expertise.
Developing AI and technology talent
Education and workforce development remain central to the ecosystem. TUMO Astana currently serves 2,430 teenagers aged 12 to 18, offering training in 11 digital and creative disciplines, including programming, robotics, game development and generative AI.
The Tech Orda program has trained 11,410 people through 133 IT schools, with 90% of graduates reportedly employed. Meanwhile, Tomorrow School, Kazakhstan’s first peer-to-peer artificial intelligence school, has expanded to 14 cities and currently has 481 students. More than 80 participants have secured IT positions before completing the program.
Another initiative, ML School Kazakhstan, launched with academic support from the Yandex School of Data Analysis, received 822 applications for its first intake, with 32 participants enrolled in the two-year program.
The ecosystem also supports early-stage entrepreneurs through incubation and acceleration programs. Startup Garage has supported more than 1,400 projects, while Silkway Accelerator has graduated 83 startups. The AI’preneurs program has produced 125 graduates and 51 startup projects, generating more than $618,000 in combined sales and attracting $400,000 in investment.
Supporting startups and investment
Astana Hub Ventures provides investment support to technology companies, with a portfolio covering more than 90 startups. Its 2026 portfolio includes Higgsfield, Mirai Tech, Perceptis, PanDev Metrics, Luwo, Admyra, Resti and Scano.
A fund of funds managed by Alem Capital Management has also been established to support venture capital markets in Kazakhstan, Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Startups seeking international expansion can access programs such as Hero Training with Draper University, Alchemist Silkroad – Silicon Valley Residency and Globalpreneurs, which provides financial support to companies accepted into leading international accelerators.
Astana Hub also connects businesses and government agencies with technology developers through its technology challenges platform. This year, it received 385 challenges and more than 3,000 proposed solutions. The initiatives cover sectors including healthcare, agriculture, gaming, robotics and cybersecurity.
Over eight years, Astana Hub has grown from an initiative into an extensive technology ecosystem bringing together companies, entrepreneurs, investors and professionals. Its development reflects Kazakhstan’s efforts to strengthen its digital economy, expand international cooperation and establish itself as a regional center for technology and artificial intelligence.
