Startup Weekend and IT Ladies Hackathon: Educational Programs and Other Opportunities for Startups

In our review: new hackathons, competitions, and programs for IT professionals and startups from Central Asia. Details in the description.

Hackathon "Best Business Project"

The hackathon will help women and youth create modern business projects and bring their ideas to life. Participants will work in teams to develop and implement innovative business plans, contributing to the development of entrepreneurial potential.

When: February 14-16
Where: Tajikistan, Norak

Hackathon IT Ladies

Participants will need to implement a project concept set by the organizers. Teams must consist of at least two people. The most talented participants will receive participation prizes, while winners will have the opportunity to become co-founders of the project, with full funding from implementation to launch.

Registration deadline: February 15
Format: online
Registration is available via this link.

Hackathon Computer Vision

This is the second Computer Vision hackathon within the Accelerate Prosperity incubation program.

Hackathon participants will create startups in the field of AI using computer vision. Teams can consist of two to four people. If you don't have a team, you will be helped to find one at the event.

When: February 21-29
Where: Bishkek, High Technologies Park

Short-term loans for startups from MOST Ventures

MOST Ventures announces the launch of a new financial product for startups and IT companies — Venture Debt. If you have a mature IT business or a startup that lacks working capital, this is a great opportunity for you. Venture Debt offers convertible loans starting from 15,000,000 tenge.

A convertible loan is a form of short-term debt that converts into equity under pre-defined conditions. Essentially, investors provide funds to the startup within a pre-seed or seed investment round.

Startup PITCH for the Cyber League of Kazakhstan

Student Cyber League of Kazakhstan. Registration is open for the largest cyber event. This is a great opportunity for startups to pitch and present their solutions to the Cyber League of Kazakhstan. You can also present your project to the audience directly on stage and build your user base.

When: February 24, from 12:00 to 20:00
Where: Almaty, 71/27 Al-Farabi Avenue, Al-Farabi Library at KazNU
Registration is available via this link.

Tech Girls Program

The Tech Girls program, lasting two months, offers over 3,000 girls from all regions of the country free training in No Code, Low Code, and Beta Career tracks. The educational process includes webinars, workshops, live streams, as well as sessions with experts and mentors from Techno Women and Astana Hub. As part of the training, participants will have the opportunity to create their own IT product and complete an internship at leading IT companies.

Registration deadline: March 1

Startup Weekend: Central Asia

This program aims to develop the startup ecosystem in Central Asia. The event is ideal for those interested in understanding the process of turning ideas into action, communicating with ambitious entrepreneurs from across Central Asia. Form a top-notch team and acquire new skills.

When: March 1-3
Where: Tashkent, New Uzbekistan University

Startup Garage Incubation Program

Astana Hub presents the third cohort of the Startup Garage incubation program, where you will:
— learn how to avoid common mistakes when launching a startup
— assess the viability of your idea
— create your first prototype or improve your product
— make your first sales or increase current volume
— understand how to attract investors and pitch successfully.

The program is open to startups from all over Kazakhstan and neighboring countries. The program duration is three months.

Registration deadline: March 5