The main news of the venture market in Central Asia — August 2026

In August, startups attracted new investments, venture funds and acceleration programs were launched, and countries in the region created conditions for startup development. We have collected the key deals, new funds, and other important events of the venture market for August.

Silkroad Angels invested in the Kazakh AI startup Perceptis

The Kazakh fund Silkroad Angels invested in Perceptis, an AI platform for automating the work of consulting companies. The startup creates working documents with charts and tables that can be edited in Excel and formatted in the company's corporate style. Among the project's clients are international consulting firms, including Dalberg.

In the new round, investors from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan participated alongside Silkroad Angels. Previously, the project was supported by The House Fund, Tekton Ventures, MOST Ventures, FEBE Ventures, and Silkroad Innovation Hub.

The Tech and Caucasus Ventures signed a memorandum on strategic cooperation

The Tech and the Azerbaijani venture fund Caucasus Ventures signed a cooperation memorandum in Baku. The agreement aims to develop ties between the technological ecosystems of Azerbaijan and Central Asia, support startups and technology companies, and facilitate their entry into new markets.

Under the agreement, the parties agreed to exchange information on international opportunities, hold joint events, and develop ties with the technological diaspora. Caucasus Ventures supports technology companies and founders associated with Azerbaijan and the Caucasus.

CEO of Intel invested in the Kazakh startup Nace.AI

AI startup Nace.AI, operating between Astana and Silicon Valley, attracted investment from Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan. The company is developing artificial intelligence solutions while simultaneously building its presence in the markets of Kazakhstan and the United States.

Asel Seitova launches Sisters Capital VC

Asel Seitova, founder of Sisters — Female Founders Initiative, is launching Sisters Capital VC, a venture fund focused on startups founded by women. The fund will invest at the Pre-Seed and Seed stages, and approximately half of the portfolio is expected to consist of founders from Central Asia who are scaling their projects in the United States.

It is planned to form a portfolio of approximately 40 companies. The fund was created on the Start Fund platform by Decile Group, which specializes in launching and developing new venture managers.

Kyrgyzstan adopted a law on venture financing

In August, Kyrgyzstan established the legal framework for the development of venture financing. The legislation introduces the concepts of a venture fund, business angel, and convertible loan.

The emergence of a separate legal base creates conditions for further development of the country's venture ecosystem and attracting private capital to technology projects.

Uzbekistan will create a venture fund with a volume of $50 million

As part of the strategy for developing the FinTech ecosystem, the Central Bank of Uzbekistan is forming a specialized venture fund with a volume of $50 million. The initiative aims to develop technology companies and attract investment into financial innovations.

By 2030, the country also plans to attract $1 billion in foreign investment, license more than 200 market participants, and launch more than 100 startups from incubation programs.

RS Bootcamp launches a new generation of acceleration programs based on the AI tracker Rozie

Venture studio RS Bootcamp launched a new acceleration format built around the AI tracker Rozie. The program is designed for scaling through venture funds and technology hubs in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The first pilot will take place in Uzbekistan.

The new format combines AI tools for working with startups, training in vibe coding, and prompt engineering for founders. The project demonstrates how acceleration programs in the region are beginning to integrate AI into their work with startups and the venture ecosystem.

a16z invested in the Turkish startup founded by Kolektif House

The startup DRS, developing consumer mobile applications based on artificial intelligence, received investment from a16z and entered the a16z Speedrun acceleration program of the Andreessen Horowitz venture fund in San Francisco.

DRS was founded in 2026 and has already released two AI applications — Glow and Make AI. The company focuses on creating and monetizing consumer AI products. The team includes specialists with experience in the gaming industry, artificial intelligence, product development, and entrepreneurship.