Contest calendar, acceleration programs, and events for July 2025

In July, dozens of international programs for startups opened — from accelerators with investments and mentoring to intensives. We selected the most interesting offers with deadlines, conditions, and participation formats.

Incubation Program for Spin-offs and Startups
The incubation program aims to support innovative projects from idea to scaling. Participants will gain access to workspaces, service offices, conference rooms, expert support, subsidized funding, SEZ residency opportunities, and off-take contracts.

Application deadline: June 27
When: July 1
Where: Almaty, K.I. Satbayev KazNU

Digital Startups Scale Up Program
An eight-week scaling program for digital startups from Central Asia looking to enter the MENA market. Participants are provided with residency in the DIFC innovation hub, mentoring, training, and housing for two months.

Application deadline: June 30
Where: Dubai

NSF SBIR/STTR Program
Startups from the US can apply to participate in the program to receive up to $305,000 without giving up equity. To participate, you need to pass Project Pitch, register on government portals SAM.gov, sbir.gov, and Research.gov, and prepare a complete package of documents, including a project description, budget, commercialization plan, and team resumes.

Application deadline: July 2

FinTech|X Accelerator by Tampa Bay Wave
An accelerator for early-stage FinTech startups. Participants gain access to 500+ investors, 220+ mentors, strategic partners, and over $100,000 in resources and discounts.

Application deadline: July 7

Social Startup 2025 Program
The seventh wave of the program — a grant accelerator for projects solving social tasks using technology. Teams of at least two people, including a student or graduate of Nazarbayev University in a key role, can participate, and the project stage must be at least MVP.

Application deadline: July 10 at 14:00

Women in Tech® Caucasus and Central Asia Awards
Women from Central Asian countries working in IT or implementing technological initiatives can apply. Winners will be shortlisted for the Women in Tech® Global Awards and will have the opportunity to represent the region on the global stage.

Application deadline: July 10

AWS Generative AI Accelerator 2025
An international accelerator for startups creating solutions based on generative AI. Participants will receive up to $1 million in AWS credits, access to industry experts, mentoring support, extensive marketing assistance, and networking with investors and customers.

Application deadline: July 10

Plug and Play Tech Center Acceleration Program
The program is focused on technology startups from Central Asia and other countries planning to scale, enter the regional market, and attract investments. Participants will receive mentoring support, access to the global Plug and Play network, a chance to present their project at the final Expo before investors and corporations, and the opportunity to join the international GOAL program and travel to Silicon Valley.

Application deadline: July 15

Road to Battlefield Competition
A regional competition for startups from Central Eurasia, which will give three winners the chance to present their project at the world's main stage — TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 in San Francisco. Winners will receive paid flights and accommodation, access to investors, media support, a free booth, and a two-month mentoring program.

Application deadline: July 15

Berkeley SkyDeck
The program offers investments of up to $200,000 from the Berkeley SkyDeck Fund, access to over 600 mentors, workshops, events, and $750,000 in non-financial support. Startups are divided into two categories: Cohort, with guaranteed funding and a place on campus, and Pad-13, without investments but with the possibility of receiving them later.

Applications accepted: July 15 to August 22

Alchemist Accelerator
A program for startups monetizing the B2B sector. Participants receive Pre-Seed investments, access to a global network of mentors and investors, training, and support in market entry. The program is suitable for startups from various fields — from Industrial IoT and ClimateTech to Digital Health and FinTech, as well as for teams that do not fit into standard categories.

Application deadline: July 18

Startup Weekend
A hybrid event for those who want to launch a startup from scratch in three days. Participants will attend workshops, network, work with experienced mentors, and pitch to investors at the pitch session. The best teams will receive cash prizes — $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second, and $1,000 for third.

When: July 18–20
Where: Chicago

Central Asia+ Accelerator
Startups and digital small and medium-sized enterprises from Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan can apply to participate in a three-month scaling and international market entry program. The program is held in a hybrid format with an in-person bootcamp in Baku, online masterclasses, and the opportunity for a business trip to Hong Kong for the best projects.

Application deadline: to be confirmed on the website
When: August 14–15
Where: online / Baku, SABAH.HUB Innovation Center

Start.coop Online Incubator
The program lasts eight weeks and helps turn an idea into a cooperative business with a sustainable management and sales model. Participants will gain access to weekly workshops, individual mentoring, training modules, and platform services, and will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The incubator is focused on rural entrepreneurs from the US.

Application deadline: July 14
When: September 10 – October 29