Kazakhstan launches first women’s venture fund at AI Week 2025

Kazakhstan has launched its first Women’s Venture Fund, announced during AI Week 2025 in Astana by Women in Tech Kazakhstan, a local organization promoting female participation in the technology sector. The fund represents a significant milestone for the country’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, offering women entrepreneurs access to capital, mentorship, and international opportunities while remaining open to investors of all contribution sizes.

What you should know: AI Week 2025 is transforming Astana into a regional hub for artificial intelligence and digital innovation through a comprehensive week-long program.

• The event runs from September 26 to October 4 as part of the Digital Bridge forum, featuring competitions, accelerator launches, and blockchain sessions.
• The Google Firebase Studio Championship on September 30 showcases Central Asia’s top developers presenting 10 projects built with Firebase Studio and the Gemini API.
• Winners receive cash prizes, Google Cloud Platform vouchers, and educational resources, while finalists gain certificates and Google credits worth up to $1,000.

Key programming highlights: Each day of AI Week focuses on different aspects of the regional tech ecosystem, building momentum toward cross-sector collaboration.

• October 1 marks the official opening of Astana Hub’s third AI’preneurs accelerator cohort, designed to nurture the next generation of AI startups.
• October 2 features a Web3 session led by Solana Foundation President Lily Liu and footballer Sol Campbell, connecting international blockchain experts with local entrepreneurs.
• October 3 expands into regional cooperation and cross-sector innovation through thematic sessions linking global tech experts with Central Asian entrepreneurs.

The big picture: Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a central player in Central Asia’s growing tech landscape, leveraging strategic partnerships with global technology leaders.

• The week concludes October 4 with a TON CIS Hub networking event focused on building the TON blockchain ecosystem across the Commonwealth of Independent States.
• Participants will engage with ecosystem developers and share project launch experiences, strengthening regional blockchain collaboration.