As part of the panel session "AI Startup Market: Growth Potential and Investment Strategies" held at the Digital Almaty-2025 forum, speakers discussed mechanisms for attracting venture capital and government subsidies, as well as the role of technology parks and accelerators in the development of AI startups.
The discussion focused on transforming the national AI ecosystem, which opens up new space for investments and creates an innovative infrastructure for startups. Participants discussed the importance of technology parks, accelerators and venture funds in creating a favorable environment for AI businesses, as well as issues of training highly qualified personnel and digital transformation of the economy of Kazakhstan.
Asset Abdualiev, founder and CEO of Silkroad Innovation Hub (USA), noted that his fund has invested in 19 startups that have attracted more than $40 million in investments. "We are proud that our compatriots are creating successful AI startups that are attracting the attention of American venture investors. For example, Alma is a startup that we are especially proud of. Its founders are two girls from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, Asel and Aizada. They raised $6 million in venture capital and are now earning about $700-800 thousand in less than a year. I am sure that the next unicorn startup will be created by girls. There are experienced and educated women in our region, and we are witnesses to this," she noted.
Nazgul Baytemirova, head of the Astana Hub Ventures Ltd. office, referred to research by Harvard Business School. According to her, only 0.5% of startups receive venture capital, while 50% of those that go to IPO raise funds from venture funds. In general, 89% of startups that have achieved significant success have received venture capital anyway. A venture capital fund with a target volume of $1 billion has been created in Kazakhstan to support AI startups, and its initial capital already amounts to $130 million. In 2024, the Astana Hub Ventures fund was launched, aimed at supporting startups from Kazakhstan, Central Asia and abroad.
"The fund of funds of the Qazaqstan Venture Group will become a powerful catalyst for innovation in Kazakhstan, diversifying strategies for investments in venture capital funds, AI startups and other promising areas. This will contribute to a new wave of venture innovation, the formation of a sustainable ecosystem and stimulating technological progress and economic growth throughout the country," Nazgul Baytemirova noted.
Fuze CEO Muhammad Ali Yusuf commented on the rapid growth of the AI ​​market: "The market has grown 20 times and new solutions are emerging every day. AI is penetrating all industries, and synergy with the blockchain and crypto industries has a multiplier effect. Today we are seeing a huge increase in investments in these technologies: more than $150 billion has already been invested in projects that combine AI, cryptocurrency and financial services," he said.
Also included in the discussion were White Hill Capital, Tumar VC and Al-Farabi Innovation Hub CEO Aslan Sultanov, Antler Venture Fund Partner Adam French, MOST Ventures CEO and Founder Alim Khamitov. Sanat Zholdykhan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of QazInnovations National Agency for Innovation Development, JSC, spoke as a moderator.
The Digital Almaty-2025 forum, which will be held in Almaty from January 31 to February 1 at the Atakent exhibition complex, has become the largest platform for discussing the role of AI in the new industrial era. The theme of the event is "Industrial AI: Technologies for a New Era". The organizers of the forum are: the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty Akimat and the State Enterprise "Innovative Technologies Park".

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mdai/press/news/details/929282