How does the Astana Innovations Accelerator program work and who can become its participant

In the Telegram channel The Tech, a live stream took place where the Astana Innovations team explained how the Astana Innovations Accelerator program works, what city challenges startups are solving, and who can become a participant this year.

Aibek Akhmetbekov, Director of Technological Cooperation and Project Support, JSC “Astana Innovations”

Asimbek Abilgazinov, Head Manager of the Business Programs Office at Astana Hub

About Us

Aibek. I am the Director of the Department of Technological Cooperation and Project Support at Astana Innovations. This is a subordinate organization of the Astana City Akimat, specifically the Department of Management and Digitalization of Public Services. In short, our primary focus is developing cameras in the Smart City sector using artificial intelligence tools. We also automate business processes in the service sector, with a particular emphasis on socially vulnerable populations. We develop various platforms, implement them, conduct pilots, support acceleration programs, STEM olympiads, and other formats.

Asimbek. I am the Head Manager of the Business Programs Office. Our office traditionally handles incubation and acceleration programs, as well as various initiatives we conduct jointly with the Akimat and other agencies. This year, as in the past, we are launching a new stream of the Astana Innovation Accelerator program with a different format. 

About the Program

Aibek. Astana Innovations Accelerator is the flagship project of our department. Its goal is to solve real challenges for the Akimat. Startups receive specific technological requests that we bring to the market. For example, the problem of snowplows: columns of vehicles exit and obstruct traffic. We provide integration, access to city data held exclusively by the Akimat, and offer startups the opportunity to find solutions. After implementation, projects either continue pilot cooperation with the Akimat or enter into collaborations with third parties.

Last year, we conducted such acceleration for the first time jointly with Astana Hub. Many applications were received, and many interesting projects emerged. Akimat employees from various departments and sectors showed interest in meetings with startups themselves—this is rare, especially for non-core departments. Startups, in turn, gained access to unique challenges and city data: analytics on road infrastructure, transport, flows, energy, and utility services.

For Startups

Asimbek. The main difference of the program is that it is narrowly focused, making it easier for startups to navigate within specific tasks. Another important distinction from other accelerators is the opportunity to pilot products directly where a real problem exists: testing, improving, and scaling the solution in practice.

This year, the directions have changed slightly. The main areas of interest are healthcare, education, security, urban development and infrastructure, transport, economy, business, ecology, and tourism. Startups operating in these and related fields are welcome to participate.

Projects can be at different stages—this is another important difference this year. We have allocated five special slots for teams focused solely on development. Such participants can create a product from scratch based on the Akimat’s tasks and later scale it to other cities. This year, we are testing this hypothesis—it is a new direction that we plan to develop further.

Aibek. First and foremost, we focus on socially vulnerable layers of the population. The Akimat often faces difficulties and misunderstandings regarding benefits and allowances, so it is important to digitalize and automate these processes. Solutions must be transparent and accessible: for example, through a platform or application adapted for the visually impaired and people with disabilities. The main goal is to help people.

Priority remains with healthcare and education. Projects in the fields of business, investment, and tourism are also supported through relevant departments and organizations.

Even if your solution does not directly fall into these areas, but it is unique or of interest to the city, it may be exactly what we are looking for.

Asimbek. Registration began on August 15 and has been extended until September 15. If you have not yet submitted an application, now is the time to try your hand. As last year, funding for the best startups is provided—up to 5 million tenge, as well as signing a SAFE contract, which strengthens trust in the project. This year, we expect 10 ready-made solutions and 5 teams that will develop a product from scratch based on the Akimat’s technical specifications for subsequent piloting and implementation.

Aibek. Currently, we are working on technological tasks for the Akimat in a routine manner. New requests will be published in the near future, and their number will gradually increase. Through Astana Hub, you can review priority tasks, which are often atypical, interesting, and even spark competitive interest among startups.

Last year, within the Smart City Accelerator, one of ten pilot projects reached the final and was implemented in the city. The company Icons, which participated in the accelerator, signed a contract with the Akimat this year to develop a platform for providing services in the field of construction and installation works. It includes full inventory, automation, and reengineering of business processes in the housing sector. Although work has just begun, the successful pilot has proven the effectiveness of the approach, and it is logical to continue cooperation with the team.

Asimbek. Participation in the acceleration is not considered unsuccessful, even if the startup did not sign a contract with the Akimat. Many teams from last year have successfully developed their businesses and scaled into other regions. Startups attract investments and rounds, and the program itself becomes a platform for testing, improving, and scaling the product.

The start date is October 2, and the duration is two months. Registration closes on September 15, after which screening and diagnostics will take place. It is important to prepare presentations in advance: during diagnostics, there will be one-to-one interviews with experts.

The program includes meetings with the Akimat working group, workshops, consultations, progress tracking, office hours, and separate sessions for piloting. Within two months, participants can achieve significant results.

The finale will be a Demo Day with investors, business angels, and corporations. The program is open to startups from all of Central Asia, including teams from Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Mongolia. For out-of-town participants, co-living and workspaces are provided. The main requirement is active participation, traction, and demonstration of strong results.

Aibek. Being accepted into the acceleration program is itself a victory, regardless of prize places. The opportunity to meet like-minded people, exchange experience, and expand your network is a valuable addition. It is precisely these opportunities that help develop the ecosystem and create potential for the growth of all of Kazakhstan.

Recommendations

Aibek. Determination, dedication, and regular attendance at seminars are important, but at the application stage, you must complete “homework.” In each department of the Akimat, internal regulatory documents are posted on the gov.kz website, where the functions of the department are clearly defined. Approximately 20-30% of processes are still performed manually—this needs to be taken into account. Study the relevant regulations and sectoral laws.

In Shanghai, for example, drones are used to record traffic accidents: a drone flies out from the base, records the accident, and returns, reducing the burden on the police. In our case, such initiatives often encounter legal restrictions. Therefore, it is important to step-by-step determine what data and procedures are required by law—for example, whether written consent from a citizen is required; if necessary, provide for an electronic signature mechanism. The approach should be practical, oriented towards execution, not just the idea.

There are many ideas, and we are constantly looking for ways to improve urban infrastructure. But in practice, projects often face either legal barriers or the fact that the solution formally does not fall within the competence of a specific department. Prepare: identify “manual” processes in the department of interest and think through options for their automation—this will significantly simplify further work.

Asimbek. In case of successful completion of the first screening stage, the next step will be diagnostics, including interviews. The meeting schedule will be sent separately. We ask you to adhere to the established time and prepare thoroughly.

Special attention should be paid to preparing the pitch deck. All presented information must be accurate, as it may be verified during the interview. We recommend avoiding excessive data and including only those details that truly reflect the startup’s potential and its readiness to participate in the program.