Current opportunities for women founders in March 2026

From free online IT and AI training to offline pitches before investors and international startup programs — March offers women across the region several strong entry points into technology, entrepreneurship, and science. See in the selection initiatives suitable for you.

AqylTech and IT-Aiel
A free opportunity to master modern skills in IT and AI from scratch in an online format across Kazakhstan, including regions and villages: more than 5,500 participants have already achieved practical results, a certificate is issued upon completion, and the program is implemented with state support and the participation of Astana Hub — do not delay what can already change your future today.

Application start date: March 3

Invest in Woman
An event for women-led startups. Participants will hear real success stories and valuable insights from experts and coaches, gain practical tools for business development and scaling, as well as networking and communication with women entrepreneurs who share similar goals and values.

When: March 5 at 14:00
Where: Tashkent, UEnter

Yulduz Tech Awards — 2025
A national competition in Uzbekistan, organized by the Ministry of Digital Technologies and the GAP Women's IT Club, aimed at supporting and recognizing women in the IT sector. The competition highlights innovative ideas, professional achievements, and participants' contributions to technology development, encouraging startups, AI projects, digital transformation, IT education, and social impact initiatives. Winners are awarded in 15 categories.

When: March 5 at 15:30
Where: Tashkent, 4 Ibrohim Muminov Street

PizzaPitch Women
An offline pitch event for women entrepreneurs, where participants present their projects in five minutes to experienced entrepreneurs and investors, receive expert feedback, networking opportunities, and a chance to scale: selection takes place in two stages, and five winners will travel to Spain to immerse themselves in the European startup ecosystem as part of a project by the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan and UNDP.

Application deadline: March 7

When: March 14
Where: Tashkent, C-Space Yunusabad

Free courses for girls in Data Analytics and Backend Go
An opportunity to start a career in IT from scratch and reach a junior level from Alif Academy Uzbekistan: participants can choose online or offline format, study in the evenings, work with real tasks and projects under the guidance of practicing engineers. Training is conducted in Russian, and girls aged 17 and above can apply.

Application deadline: March 8

Femtech Force Jam 2026
An online conference about technologies, science, and products in the field of women's health. The event brings together researchers, doctors, data scientists, founders, investors, and media professionals to discuss key trends in the FemTech industry: AI and data, biotechnology, diagnostics, reproductive health, marketing, and investment. The goal of the conference is to bridge the gap between what is already possible from a technological and scientific perspective and how medicine, regulations, and the market actually operate, turning knowledge and dialogue into concrete products, research, and deals.

When: March 13-14
Where: Online

STARTUP WOMEN 2026
A competition dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Association of Business Women of Kazakhstan, aimed at supporting innovative business ideas and startups by young women. It supports innovative ideas and scalable startups in the fields of technology, AI, education, health, ESG, and future industries, offering a prize fund of 2 million tenge, a grant for study at Arizona State University, mentorship from the ABWK and relevant ministries, and the award ceremony for winners will take place on April 29, 2026, at the ASTANA WOMEN SUMMIT.

Application deadline: March 15