Hackathon, accelerator program, and pitch session calendar for May 2025

Competitions, training programs, hackathons, and support initiatives provide a chance not only to secure funding but also to build valuable connections with experts and potential partners. This article highlights the most prominent opportunities for startups that could be the key to business success.

Global Transformation & Tech Sector Summit 2025
The leading online summit for discussing current trends in AI, FinTech, language models, and global product strategies. The summit will feature six speakers and two panel discussions, offering a unique opportunity to hear from industry leaders about innovations and technological solutions. The program includes expert presentations, discussions on systems thinking, the role of data in product creation, and networking with international professionals.

When: May 3 at 16:00
Where: Online

Build Pro Expo 2025
The main exhibition and forum for the construction industry in the region. Startups in fields such as PropTech, ConstructionTech, Smart Cities, AI, IoT, and others can receive a free booth at the exhibition, where they will have the opportunity to present their product to more than 10,000 professionals, including top managers, developers, investors, and regulators.

When: May 3-4
Where: Tashkent, Labzak, 12/1, AXELON

MOST C-Space Hub Demo Day
Startup founders with ready projects and confirmed traction can present their ideas to an expert jury, receive constructive feedback, improve their presentation skills, and expand their network. Participation is free but requires prior registration. 

Application deadline: May 5 at 14:00
When: May 7, 2025  
Where: Tashkent, C-Space Yunusabad

TON Mini Apps Build Contest
Registration is now open for the TON Mini Apps Build Contest. Participants can create a Telegram Mini App using TON technologies such as TON Connect, SBT, NFT, smart contracts, and others. The contest is open to developers, founders, designers, and anyone interested. The prize pool includes $1,000 for first place, $700 for second, and $500 for third, as well as a special Audience Choice Prize of $300. 

Application deadline: May 5

Online Pitch in The Tech Telegram Channel
A great opportunity to go live in front of investors and learn how to create and deliver the perfect pitch. You can join as a guest and listen to how other startups present. Registration is available via this link.

Lactalis Hackathon
Lactalis invites students and young professionals to participate in a grand hackathon. Participants will tackle real business challenges in logistics, marketing, sales, production, and HR. This event offers the chance to enter Lactalis’s talent pool or even join the team directly! Participants can look forward to a packed day, prizes for winners, and networking opportunities. 

When: May 8 at 08:00
Where: Tashkent

Plug and Play Uzbekistan Expo 2025
The event will bring together investors, corporations, startups, and experts to discuss technologies and open innovations in AI, Fintech, Smart Cities, and other sectors. The program includes panel discussions, startup pitches, a project exhibition, and networking.

When: May 15 at 14:00
Where: Tashkent, Bukhara St., 10, Palace of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan

MOST Accelerator Fund
MOST has announced the launch of a new early-stage investment fund, the MOST Accelerator Fund, with a volume of $10 million. The fund is focused on early-stage B2B startups in the field of artificial intelligence that create real products for real businesses. The program starts on June 1.

Application deadline: May 15

GameFest 2025
The largest gaming industry event in Central Asia. Attendees can look forward to the Game and Animation Forum—a forum on games and animation—panel discussions and masterclasses from professionals, the Game and Animation Expo—an exhibition of artists—and a Game Jam—a creative battle for developers.

When: May 16-17
Where: Tashkent, IT Park Complex

Angel Investor School Course
An opportunity for those who want to learn how to invest in startups and develop successful venture investment strategies. Over two days of training, participants will master key aspects of startup evaluation and investment in tech businesses, gain knowledge from experienced experts, and apply their new skills in practice. 

Date: May 21-22 
Where: Tashkent, C-Space Yunusabad

Pizza Pitch
If you have a project at the MVP stage or beyond, prepare a three-minute presentation in PDF format and participate in a startup pitch at Astana Hub. Impress the jury in three minutes and get a chance to win an iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, or AirPods 4. Audience members can look forward to quizzes, contests, gifts, and pizza.

Application deadline: May 7
When: May 22
Where: Astana, Astana Hub, Event Hall

Central Asian & Caucasus Pavilion
Astana Hub invites startups from Central Asia and the Caucasus to join the largest European technology and innovation forum, GITEX Europe 2025, offering a 50% discount on booth space. Participants will be able to present their product to the global community, gain access to more than 600 investors, compete for a €100,000 prize in the Supernova Challenge, and take advantage of PR and networking opportunities at an event that will bring together more than 40,000 participants, 2,000 IT companies, and 1,000 startups. Applications can be submitted via email to saule.Jefferies@dwtc.com.

Application deadline: April 30 
When: May 21–23
Where: Berlin, Germany 

Decentrathon 3.0 Hackathon
The largest multi-location hackathon in Kazakhstan, organized by Astana Hub and the Blockchain & AI Technology Center, returns in a new online format. This year, it will take place for the first time on the Decentra platform—the first Telegram Mini App created specifically for hackathons. Prize pool: 16,000,000 tenge. Tracks: AI, GameJam.

When: May 23-25
Where: Online 

DevOpsDays Tashkent 2025
Call for speakers is now open for DevOpsDays Tashkent 2025, which will take place in Uzbekistan for the first time, bringing together engineers, architects, and IT leaders to discuss automation, culture, and technologies. Participants can look forward to expert presentations, CI/CD case studies, networking, and practical workshops. 

When: May 24 at 08:00
Where: Tashkent, Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan

BeeTech Conf by QazCode
The annual IT conference for the dev community, organized by QazCode, DAR Tech, and Beeline Kazakhstan, will bring together developers, engineers, and managers for a deep dive into the world of technology, innovation, and live communication. Participants can look forward to discussions on LLMs and AI with leading experts, intimate sessions on the hottest topics, speed mentoring with professionals, practical workshops, and 20 talks from practitioners without unnecessary theory.

When: May 31
Where: Almaty, NARXOZ University

Yessenov Data Lab 2025
A four-week summer school for young Kazakh scientists and specialists, introducing participants to the basics of working with big data and artificial intelligence through lectures by international experts from Narxoz, AlmaU, Google DeepMind, and Meta. The training will take place in two stages—online from June 16 to 27 and offline in Almaty from June 30 to July 11. The Yessenov Foundation will fully cover travel, accommodation, and meal expenses.

Application deadline: May 31
When: June 16 – July 11
Where: Online, offline stage in Almaty, AlmaU

"Practical Fundamentals of Pentesting" Course by TSARKA Academy
This ethical hacking course will help developers, administrators, DevOps engineers, and information security specialists learn to see systems from the inside, identify vulnerabilities in practice, and immediately apply new skills. The eight-week online training includes real-world cases, practical pentesting, a final exam, and a certificate.

When: June 2 
Where: Online