For Central Asian AI startups to enter the global market, technology alone is not enough. Investors and major companies also look for real customers, the results of pilot projects, and economic impact. This was discussed at the AI & Digital Bridge Forum in Astana, where participants highlighted Kazakhstan’s role as a bridge and a platform for regional projects to access global markets. Kazakhstan’s startup ecosystem is growing, while partnerships with international accelerators are giving tech companies from Central Asia access to foreign investors, customers, and expertise. More than 100 startups from the region have already participated in such programmes. Among them are Kazakh companies Cybernet AI and Armeta, which have had the opportunity to develop their projects in the U.S. market. Cybernet AI has already tested its solution in Mexico. Its AI technology for business and call-centre automation was 20% more effective than the client’s team, while costs were around five times lower. Another Kazakh startup, Armeta, began working with Mitsubishi Power after winning an international competition in Houston. The company has also joined the U.S.-based Alchemist Accelerator. Experts say programmes like these help startups from the region connect with international partners and investors and gain access to global markets.
«We’ve had a number of startups at Alchemist from Central Asian region. We’ve had a couple on stage with us here. We have companies that are building in San Francisco, they have engineering here, with companies with headquarters here scaling around the world. I think the Central Asian region is clearly a firehose of talent. I think we’ve seen lots of interest, and I want to see more. We see thousands of applications from around the world every year. I want to see more from the Central Asian region,» said Ian Bergman, CEO of Alchemist Accelerator.
«We held a large session with representatives of leading accelerators, including Alchemist, StartX and Draper University. Our founders have a unique opportunity to enter international markets through these accelerators. The programme is run by Silkroad Innovation Hub with the support of IT Park Uzbekistan and other partners. Every year, we bring founders from our region to Silicon Valley and help them enter the U.S. market. The programme has been running for more than three years. More than 100 startups have participated in these programmes, and many of them are already expanding into the U.S. market,» said Asset Abdualiyev, Founder & CEO of Silkroad Innovation Hub.
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