Nazarbayev University (NU) plays a key role in Kazakhstan’s effort to invest in student startups and take them global. NU is an international, English-language research university located in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, and ranks among the top 23% of research universities worldwide, according to the Times Higher Education ranking.
For many teams, participation in business acceleration programs provides more than access to an international accelerator, offering an opportunity to enter a new professional environment, gain international expertise, build partnerships, and continue expanding into foreign markets.
Supporting Student Startups
Aslan Sarinzhipov, executive vice president of NU, stated that startups from Kazakhstan are gaining international recognition. They will continue to provide institutional and financial support to innovative projects aimed at the social and technological development of Kazakhstan.
NU’s innovation ecosystem includes startup support and development programs, business incubation, acceleration, technological infrastructure, and opportunities to attract investment, with particular attention paid to student entrepreneurship. The university creates an environment where young people’s ideas receive not only expert and organizational support but also a real opportunity to attract investors.
NU also helps technology projects expand beyond Kazakhstan through its strategic partnership with StartX, a non-profit accelerator affiliated with Stanford University. This partnership provides startups with access to a wider range of resources and expertise.
Partnership with StartX
Since 2022, NU STeP has been a platinum partner of the Stanford business incubator, enabling startups from Kazakhstan and Central Asia to apply without direct Stanford affiliation. Over the course of the partnership, 18 projects represented by NU STeP have gone through StartX programs.
Annually, the Nazarbayev University & NIS Foundation invests $1 million in startup development, and three million dollars have already been allocated over the past three years. Key opportunities for participants include access to mentors and employee benefits. Startups participate in the programs on equal terms with US companies and gain access to educational programs, Demo Days, and industry events.
In addition, participants may use office space in Palo Alto while taking part in the program. This provides them with a unique opportunity to network and learn from other startups and industry experts.
Success Stories
The first Kazakhstani project to go through NU STeP was the HealthTech/DeepTech AI company Cerebra AI, which is developing Cerebra software that uses artificial intelligence to enable the early diagnosis of stroke. Its AI modules analyze non-contrast CT scans in real time and can identify signs of ischemic stroke in less than five minutes.
Cerebra AI’s solutions are already being used in 46 medical institutions. Other notable projects to have gone through StartX include Arlan Biotech, a company developing generative artificial intelligence for biotechnology, and Defect AI, also known as Rette, a medical AI startup that automates Revenue Cycle Management for small specialized clinics.
NU alumni also form the core of the team behind Higgsfield, the first Kazakhstani unicorn, founded in 2023 and now valued at more than $5.4 billion. The experience of the NU STeP – StartX partnership demonstrates how the university’s international connections can create new opportunities for the development of technology entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan.
Expanding Global Presence
The journey from the first startup, Cerebra AI, to the new participants of 2026 demonstrates the gradual expansion of Kazakhstani startups’ presence in the global technology ecosystem. Nazarbayev University’s innovation cluster in Kazakhstan is creating an environment where scientific research, entrepreneurial initiatives, investment, and international partnerships come together.
In this environment, startups like Mirai Tech, a DeepTech project working in biomechanics, and WeGlobal AI, which operates in the EdTech and Mental Health sectors, can develop and grow. The university’s support and partnerships are helping these startups to go global and gain international recognition.
The Nazarbayev University & NIS Foundation’s investment in startup development is a significant contribution to the growth of the technology sector in Kazakhstan. With its strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, the university is playing a key role in shaping the country’s future economy. They are committed to continuing their support for student startups and helping them achieve success on a global scale.
Nazarbayev University’s efforts are having a positive impact on the technology sector in Kazakhstan. The university’s innovation ecosystem and partnerships with international organizations are providing startups with the resources and expertise they need to succeed.
The future of technology entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan looks promising, with many startups already achieving success and gaining international recognition. Nazarbayev University will continue to play a key role in supporting and developing the technology sector in Kazakhstan.
