StartX, Y Combinator, 500 Global: key accelerators and competitions for startups in February

StartX Accelerator
Astana Business Campus, the official StartX partner in Central Asia, invites tech startups to apply for the summer batch of one of Silicon Valley’s most prestigious accelerators — StartX at Stanford University. Participants undergo online interviews with experts and receive detailed feedback and assistance in preparing their StartX applications. The program is designed for startups with a ready-to-market product, aiming to enter the global market and become part of an international community of founders.

Application deadline: February 6
Location: Online / Silicon Valley

Women in Tech Accelerator 2026
This program is designed for those who want to scale their business, launch new products, increase revenue, prepare their company for investment, and enhance entrepreneurial skills through practical training. Training for 100 participants is free. Women entrepreneurs focused on business and product growth are invited to participate.

Application deadline: February 6

Roadshow
Roadshow, a series of offline events dedicated to artificial intelligence, IT careers, and startup launches, is starting in Uzbekistan. On the opening day in Tashkent, there will be talks on the role of AI in career growth, creating startups, developing a personal brand on LinkedIn, as well as networking and interactive formats.

When: February 7 at 10:00
Where: Tashkent, 28 Makhtumkuli Street

Entrepreneurs First
Entrepreneurs First is opening applications for its Spring and Summer 2026 programs in London, San Francisco, and Bangalore: a full immersion experience lasting 8–14 weeks, with the opportunity to relocate to Silicon Valley, mentorship support, and the chance to become a startup founder even without an idea or co-founder.

Application deadline: February 8

Y Combinator
Y Combinator is opening applications for the Spring 2026 Batch for startups. The program runs from April to June 2026 in San Francisco and involves in-person participation with a three-day kickoff, regular meetings, and support from experienced mentors. Participants have the opportunity to work with YC General Partners, participate in interviews, and culminate in a Demo Day to present their startup to investors. The program is designed for early-stage startups with a working prototype and potential for global market expansion.

Application deadline: February 9

When: April – June 2026
Where: San Francisco, USA

Investment Readiness Accelerator
MOST C-Space Hub, in collaboration with SQB Ventures and UNDP, is launching a 12-week acceleration program for Pre-Seed and Seed stage startups ready for growth and investment. Participants work in a hybrid format, receive individual support from trackers and investors, and have the chance to attract up to $200,000 in investments. The program is focused on B2B startups in FinTech, AI, EdTech, and MedTech sectors with a ready MVP, MRR of at least $1,000, and a team of at least two people.

Application deadline: February 9

When: February – April
Where: Online / Tashkent

Two-Day Bug Bounty by TUMO Labs
TUMO Labs is organizing a two-day Bug Bounty, where participants will test real company platforms, find vulnerabilities, and receive rewards for confirmed bugs. Specialists aged 18 and above with basic knowledge of QA, reverse engineering, or pentesting can participate. Individual or team registration is possible. For participants from other cities, organizers cover accommodation and transportation.

Deadline: February 10

When: February 21–22
Where: Yerevan, Armenia

Techstars Founder Catalyst Global Spring 2026 Program
A 10-week virtual pre-accelerator from Techstars for early-stage startups from partner communities. It runs in a part-time format and helps founders develop strategy, validate product-market fit, strengthen traction, and prepare for growth and investment through world-class masterclasses, mentorship, pitch coaching, and access to tools and bonuses from partners.

Application deadline: February 13
When: March 16 – June 3
Where: Online

Launch & Fund Your Own AI Startup
A global AI hackathon and startup challenge by lablab.ai in collaboration with Surge, Google DeepMind, Gemini, and Google AI Studio. Focus on AI and Robotics. Participants gain access to AI infrastructure, mentors, investor introductions, and the opportunity to launch a real startup. The total prize pool exceeds $1,000,000. The program is suitable for founders, developers, and ML/AI engineering teams who want to build a startup, not just participate in a hackathon.

Application deadline: February 14
When: February 6–14 / February 14–15
Where: Online / San Francisco

Red Bull Basement 2026
An international competition for students, where teams can present their startup ideas and gain a chance to enter Silicon Valley, USA. Participants compete for a prize pool of up to $100,000 and the opportunity to develop their projects with support from experts and mentors. The program is focused on innovative and technological ideas that can be implemented at an early stage.

Application deadline: February 15

Her Silicon Valley Pitch
Applications are now open for an international online competition for women founders of startups from Central Asia. Participants will be able to present their projects to a global audience, go through national pitch rounds, receive mentorship from Silicon Valley experts, and get feedback from international investors. Founders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan with startups at the idea or MVP stage can apply.

Application deadline: February 15

Central Asia Startup Bootcamp
A one-day offline intensive for founders and startup teams from Central Asia. The Bootcamp is suitable for those launching or scaling a startup at the idea or MVP stage, preparing for investment, and looking to strengthen their pitch. The program includes a practical Startup Sprint, a Pitch Battle for the top 10 startups in the region, and a presentation of Virtual Accelerate with opportunities for international scaling.

When: February 18 at 09:00
Where: Almaty, 280 Bayzakov Street, Smart Point

Globance Pilot Program
Globance is launching a pilot program for startups in Uzbekistan aimed at enhancing their investment readiness. Participants receive a comprehensive “Startup Genome Assessment” to identify strengths and weaknesses, access to AI-based analytics, personalized roadmaps, and the opportunity to interact directly with investors through AI-generated email campaigns.

Application deadline: February 22

Microsoft Imagine Cup 2026
An international competition for IT students, where teams of up to four people can win a prize pool of up to $100,000 and receive mentorship from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Participants receive $100 in MS Azure cloud credits to develop their projects. The competition is focused on startups integrating AI and technological solutions, providing an opportunity to develop ideas, test prototypes, and accelerate scaling.

500 Global Accelerator Program in Eurasia
An acceleration program for ambitious early-stage tech startups ready for growth, scaling, and investment. Participants undergo 12 weeks of training and mentorship: the first two weeks are in-person in Tbilisi, the next eight weeks are remote, and the final two weeks are in-person, preparing for Demo Day and the opportunity to present the project to investors. The program is suitable for startups with an MVP, early revenue, and potential for global market expansion.

When: April 6 – June 26
Where: Online / Tbilisi, Georgia