Contests, grants, and IT events for women: what you can manage to participate in during August 2026

In August, new opportunities in technology, entrepreneurship, and AI are available for women from Central Asia. We have compiled current competitions, educational programs, and events for which you can still register or submit an application.

BeWoman Asia Pitch Competition

A pitch competition for technology startups with a female founder, implemented in partnership with Women in Tech, Astana Hub, and Silkroad Angels. Founders and co-founders with a share of more than 25% whose companies operate in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan can participate. The startup must have a working product and paying customers. The finals will take place on the main stage of BeWoman Asia, and finalists will receive pitch coaching, PR support, and the opportunity to network with investors and VC fund representatives.

Application deadline: August 11

Summer Tea by Women In Tech

An intimate morning brunch with Love Charmaine Uychoco — CEO and Chairwoman of The Prodigy, founder of the Global Women Empowerment Summit and Women of the Future, and publisher of Titanium Magazine. Participants will discuss female leadership, international opportunities, personal brand development, and creating projects that can change communities. The meeting will be held in English and will serve as a platform for networking, live communication, and sharing experiences.

When: August 14 at 10:00
Where: Almaty, Ami Restaurant

Girls in IT — Project Launch in Tashkent

The IT Community of Uzbekistan invites schoolgirls, female students, and beginners to the official launch of the Girls in IT project. The project aims to support girls interested in IT and technology, helping them gain practical knowledge, meet industry professionals, and find like-minded peers. The launch program includes coffee and networking, interactive games, educational sessions, a Tech Fashion Show, gifts, a Pinky Party, and a Photo Booth.

When: August 16 at 15:00
Where: Tashkent, School 21

Astana AI Film Festival

An international competition for authors, teams, and studios creating films using generative artificial intelligence. The total prize fund is $1 million. The competition has two sections: Thematic Competition with the theme The Future Worth Living In, and Open Competition for films on any topic. The film must be at least three minutes long, and generative AI must be a significant part of its creation. Works are accepted in any language provided they have English subtitles.

Application deadline: August 31

AI for Her Business

The AI for Her Business course is a free educational program from Women in Tech on the practical application of artificial intelligence in business. Participants will learn to create content, websites, presentations, and videos using AI tools, conduct marketing research, manage tasks and projects, and set up chatbots, AI assistants, and business process automation, including n8n.

AI for Her

AI for Her is an online course from Women in Tech Kazakhstan for women who want to master modern artificial intelligence tools and apply them in work, business, and everyday tasks. As part of the course, participants will learn the basics of AI and large language models, learn to work with ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, DeepSeek, and Grok, and use AI to create presentations, videos, and posts, as well as for planning and analysis.