Contest calendar, acceleration programs, and opportunities for September 2025

September opens new opportunities for Central Asian startups. From investments to large-scale networking events. Choose formats that will help you accelerate growth, test ideas, and enter the international market.

DEMO DAY by MOST Accelerator Fund
Graduation of 10 selected B2B startups using AI, which will present their projects to investors, corporations, and partners. Guests will receive insights into new markets and the future of AI, live networking with venture funds, a festive atmosphere, and a party celebrating the birthday of MOST IT Hub.

When: September 3
Where: Almaty, MOST Hub Almaty

Quick Start 17
An acceleration program for founders ready to accelerate the growth of their projects: participants will have the chance to attract investments from Jas Ventures Limited, receive weekly mentoring from experts, acquire practical knowledge about sales and scaling, and present their product to investors at the Demo Day.

Deadline: September 5

Digital Startup Awards
An international competition for startups from Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Mongolia with a total prize fund of $1,000,000, uniting over 30,000 participants and providing founders with access to investments, expert support, and a global partnership community. 

Application deadline: September 5

SolanaDay
The country's largest blockchain hackathon, an event that will bring together developers and entrepreneurs to create projects based on the Solana ecosystem, award a prize fund of $20,000, and give winners the opportunity to present their solutions at Digital Bridge 2025 and international platforms.

When: September 12

Decentrathon 4.0 Hackathon
This is a chance to immerse yourself in the world of innovation for two days, assemble a team, create a solution based on artificial intelligence, and compete for a share of the prize fund of 15,000,000 tenge.

Application deadline: September 12
When: September 13-14

PizzaPitch Women — Women's Startups Competition
The women's startups competition will bring together over 100 projects and provide the opportunity to present them to investors and experts. The top five will go on an internship in Amsterdam. Registration until September 7. 

When: September 13 at 09:00
Where: Tashkent, U-Enter

Founders Weekend
A two-day intensive work on ideas, meetings with entrepreneurs and experts, networking with investors, and a chance to win the grand prize — a trip to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco, where participants will be able to present their startups to a global audience.

When: September 13-14
Where: Astana, Nazarbayev University

Astana Innovations Accelerator 2025
Selected projects will have the opportunity to pilot their products at Astana facilities, receive support from experts and trackers, and the best teams will receive funding of at least 5 million tenge, a SAFE agreement, and the prospect of scaling solutions to other cities and countries.

Application deadline: September 15

Startup Alley at Digital Bridge 2025
A platform for the best startups in the region in the fields of AI, FinTech, EdTech, GovTech, Big Data, AR/VR, sustainable development, and cybersecurity. Participants will be able to present projects to an international audience, establish contacts with venture investors and corporations, and exchange experience with industry leaders.

Application deadline: September 15
When: October 2-4
Where: Astana

A to U Accelerator
An investment program for early-stage startups. Participants will receive individual mentoring, consultations from international specialists, support in scaling and exporting, access to a partner network, and the opportunity to present their project to an investment committee, funds, and business angels, as well as a chance to attract investments of up to 25,000,000 tenge. 

When: September 15
Where: online/ Karaganda, 12 Alalykina St., Terricon Valley

GrowthHack Incubator
A program for those who want to build their business from scratch: participants will acquire practical skills in initial sales, precise target market selection, and effective communication with customers, will be able to work with experienced trackers and experts, attend workshops and consultations, and compete for a grant of 400,000 tenge.

When: September 15 — December 7
Where: online/ Karaganda, 12 Alalykina St., Terricon Valley

Startup Nation Hackathon
The anniversary fifth hackathon in a new format. Participants will spend a week fully immersed in IT and artificial intelligence: from forming teams and refining business ideas to mentoring from experienced startuppers and practitioners. This is a chance to launch your project, strengthen your team, and reach a new level in the world of technology.

Application deadline: September 15
When: September 22-28
Where: Bishkek
 
Global Startup Awards: Central Asia Regional Finale
This is a unique opportunity for the region to make itself known on the global innovation stage and enter the history of the global movement. The event will unite startups, investors, and ecosystem leaders from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, and Mongolia, and the winners will go to the finals of the competition in the USA.

When: September 23-26
Where: Tashkent

Silkroad Pavilion at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
A chance for startups from Central Asia and the USA to present projects at the world's largest conference, where over 10,000 investors, venture leaders, and founders gather. Participants will receive a booth with a branded banner, a pitch slot, access to the TechCrunch Disrupt mobile app, and two all-access passes, as well as the opportunity to make valuable contacts and attract investments on the global stage.

Application deadline: October 1  

GITEX Global 2025
GITEX Global 2025 will become a key platform for demonstrating advanced developments in the field of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing, cloud technologies, and 5G. Participants will be able to get acquainted with new solutions, establish contacts with top managers of leading companies, and discuss the future of the digital economy.

When: October 13-17
Where: Dubai