How startups from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan can enter the Chinese market: details of the Digital Scale Up Program: Shanghai

Lazzat Borankulova, CEO & Founder Khan Tengri Innovation Hub, LinkedIn

Maral Shashkenova, Partner Khan Tengri Innovation Hub, LinkedIn

About Us

Lazzat. I am the founder and CEO of Khan Tengri Innovation Hub in Shanghai, as well as the company Growth Vision Pro. These projects were created as a platform to support technology and IT startups from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and other countries in Central Eurasia, helping them enter the Chinese market and scale. Additionally, we assist Chinese startups and IT companies planning to expand into Central Eurasia.

I spent the majority of my career in the corporate sector, primarily within quasi-state structures—starting at an oil and gas company, then working at the sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna. In recent years, I focused on investments within private equity, but over time my interest shifted toward innovation and technology. I realized that Kazakhstan must be part of the global technological movement.

After working in the corporate sector, I moved to the private sector—joining one of the largest private equity funds, Verny Capital, and the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). It was then that the idea was born to create a private initiative that would serve as a bridge between the Kazakh market and international platforms, facilitating technology and capital transfer. Thus, in early 2024, the company Growth Vision Pro was established.

Maral. I am a partner at Khan Tengri Innovation Hub in Shanghai and Growth Vision Pro. My professional path is linked to investments, strategic management, asset management, and business analytics. For over 20 years, I worked at a sovereign fund and private companies in the banking sector, engaging in financial modeling, strategy building, and project evaluation.

I completed my master’s degree under the Bolashak program in the United Kingdom, earning a Master of Science in International Accounting and Finance.

About Khan Tengri Innovation Hub

Lazzat. In mid-2024, together with my partner Maral Shashkenova, we began studying the Chinese market and were impressed by the scale of technological development. After visiting key centers for AI and IT innovation, we recognized the potential for collaboration and decided to open Khan Tengri Innovation Hub in Shanghai—a platform for startups from Central Asia to enter the Chinese market.

At present, we have already launched our hub and are preparing the first acceleration program, the Scale-up Program for Digital Startups Shanghai, which aims to support technology companies from Central Asia in their entry into the Chinese market.

Our advantage lies in the strong expertise Maral and I possess in finance, investments, and international relations. We understand well the difficulties faced by startups founded by technical specialists—finding partners, establishing financial structures, and entering new markets. Our mission is to help overcome these barriers and become the connecting link between Central Eurasia and China.

We see our task as connecting technology, people, and capital—and we are confident that this is where our added value lies.

About the Program

The Digital Scale Up Program Shanghai is the first acceleration program initiated by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in China. To date, there are no similar initiatives between our countries and China.

Our goal is to give our participants the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of China’s innovation ecosystem, identify their key competitors and potential partners, and familiarize themselves with acceleration and science-technology parks where they can receive support from the Chinese government. It is also important to help startups adapt or enhance their products so they become competitive in the Chinese market.

This program is not generic—unlike large accelerators such as Plug and Play or Antler, where startups go through a general track, we have focused on an individualized approach.

In the first cohort, we will select only eight startups—four from Kazakhstan and four from Uzbekistan. This format will allow us to pay attention to each project and tailor the program to its level and specifics. The program lasts two months and will take place offline in Shanghai from November 3 to December 28, 2025.

Main objectives of the program:

1. Familiarization with the Chinese market and innovation ecosystem.
2. Identification of competitors and key stakeholders.
3. Establishing partnerships with Chinese companies and institutions.
4. Attracting investments and concluding partnership agreements with potential clients in China.

The Chinese market is unique, and many startups avoid it due to high competition. We want to break this stereotype and show that with proper preparation, success is achievable here.

Each startup will receive:
— individual mentoring and expert support
— personalized investor evaluation, including business and market validation
— assistance in marketing analysis and identifying strengths and weaknesses
— access to a community of investors interested in early-stage and growth-stage startups.

We adapt each module to the development level and potential of each startup to achieve maximum results.

Why China

China invests approximately $500 billion annually in R&D development, and its science-technology parks actively invite foreign startups to jointly create and scale products. This is an excellent opportunity to leverage China’s infrastructure and resources to accelerate growth and test your ideas.

Another important aspect is interaction between startups. Chinese companies often develop AI solutions applicable across multiple industries. Kazakh startups, on the other hand, typically focus on a single vertical. We see potential in combining these strengths: a Kazakh team can complement a Chinese solution, creating a joint product for entering the Chinese market.

The same principle works in reverse: Chinese startups can localize their solutions in Kazakhstan and Central Eurasia. This is a win-win strategy where both sides benefit: Chinese companies gain access to talent and understanding of the local market, while our startups gain access to China’s technologies, capital, and infrastructure.

For Startups

We focus on industries that are currently considered key drivers of technological development: DeepTech, MedTech, HealthTech, Life Science, BioTech, CleanTech, Smart Industry/Smart City, and everything related to AI and its application across various verticals.

We understand that the number of DeepTech startups in our region is currently small, so we are open to considering other projects—as long as they have the potential to integrate AI components and evolve into more advanced technological solutions.

Applications for the Digital Scale Up Program Shanghai are now open. The program starts on November 3, 2025, and you can apply now on the official website of Khan Tengri Innovation Hub.

Startup selection is conducted jointly with Astana Hub and IT Park Uzbekistan. We invite companies with a ready product, confirmed growth in the local market, a customer base, and stable revenue or high user engagement. Proficiency in English and company registration in Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan are required.

Program participants are provided with accommodation and workspace in Shanghai at the expense of our partners. The program includes practical training, mentoring, and study of the Chinese market. Startups will gain access to investors, venture funds, and corporations, as well as a personalized network tailored to their sector.

A registration fee—commitment fee of $5,000—is required for participation. These funds cover the organizational costs of the program. Travel and personal expenses in Shanghai are covered by the participants themselves.

In the future, Khan Tengri Innovation Hub plans to launch separate programs for early-stage startups, particularly in DeepTech, MedTech, CleanTech, and other technology-driven fields.

Practical Component

The program is adapted to the level and direction of participating startups. Each week features practical sessions with experts—company founders, investors, and representatives of Chinese accelerators and tech parks. These are not lectures, but live masterclasses where real cases, growth strategies, and common mistakes are discussed. Startups can communicate directly with experts, ask questions, and build valuable connections.

The program includes three thematic blocks: market and competitive environment analysis, specifics of promotion in Chinese social networks, including WeChat, and working with investors and preparing pitches. Participants learn to adapt their presentations for the Chinese market, as the format and approach to pitching in China differ significantly from familiar standards.

Weekly track sessions are held to monitor progress and adjust strategies. Teams test hypotheses, receive feedback, and prepare for scaling. Midway through the course, there will be a “startup roast”—an intensive session with experts who evaluate the weaknesses of projects before investor meetings. The finale will be a Demo Day—presentations to Chinese funds and corporations.

A cultural program is also included: participants will learn about Chinese business etiquette, communication styles, and nuances of business behavior—from self-presentation to the proper way of handing a business card to an investor.

The current cohort includes startups from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, funded by Astana Hub and IT Park Uzbekistan. However, companies from other countries in the region, registered in these countries, may also apply. In the future, Khan Tengri Innovation Hub plans to expand its geography and accept participants from all of Central Asia.

Recommendations

Lazzat. Do not be afraid to enter the Chinese market. Yes, it is huge and competitive, but there is room for solutions from Kazakhstan. Our specialists are strong in software, while China excels in hardware, and combining these competencies can yield impressive results.

Go, study the market, get inspired. Seeing the scale and pace of development of Chinese startups, you will understand how vast the potential of your product is.

The main advice is: dare to act and utilize the opportunities provided by our partners—Astana Hub and IT Park Uzbekistan.