Nur-Sultan’s Startup Ecosystem’s Many Opportunities
Kazakhstan
Nur-Sultan
MEMBERS:
JSC “Zerde” National infocommunication holding
With the emergence of GovTech in the world, Kazakhstan’s high ranking in this field allows our startups and IT-companies to leverage their expertise for expansion into Asian, African and subsequently global markets.
Ecosystem by the Numbers
EARLY-STAGE FUNDING
<$50 m
GLOBAL AVG.
$687 m
ECOSYSTEM VALUE
<$100 m
GLOBAL AVG.
$28.6 bn
Fintech
In 2018, the Astana International Financial Center introduced the Fintech Regulatory Sandbox and visa-free entry for citizens of 57 countries, including all OECD countries. Invest Online, launched by the National Bank of Kazakhstan, is a blockchain-based mobile securities trading application that allows people to buy discount bank notes. Senim, a smart wallet provider, raised $120,000 in a Series A round in 2018.
Govtech
Kazakhstan’s E-Gov is ranked 39th in the world and is among the top 10 in Asia according to the UN's E-Government Survey 2018. More than 80 percent of public services are available for more than 10.7 million users annually, saving more than $21.5 million. In 2020, the country’s E-Gov Portal initiated Smart Bridge, a platform-simplifying integration process between state information systems and the private sector. In 2019 Korkem Telecom deployed nationwide solutions in IoT, ITS and AMR. Korkem’s solution SERGEK in Nur-Sultan reduced lethal traffic accidents by half.
Reasons to Move Your Startup to Nur-Sultan
COVID-19 Policy
Monthly payments for those who are unemployed as a result of COVID-19 are being processed through the E-Gov Portal. Both the accrual and payment of taxes and payroll social payments have been canceled for 6 months for SMEs in the IT industry and other affected sectors. Other measures include deferred payments on loans, reducing and unifying the loan rates, and an increase in the volume of state guarantees.
Ease of doing business
Kazakhstan has improved business regulations over the past two years, and is ranked among the top 25 economies in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report.
Support to startups
Nur-Sultan offers tax preferences, grant financing, and a unique visa regime that allows foreign partners to get a work visa for up to 5 years.
Selected Startup Organizations
Startup Genome Members
MEMBER
JSC “Zerde” National infocommunication holding
AIFC
Arkley VC
Astana Business Campus
Astana Hub - International Technopark of IT-startups
Astana IT University
Astana Medical University
Bridge Group
I2BF Global Ventures
MOST Business Incubator
Mua Incubator
Nazarbayev University
QazTechVentures
Verny Capital
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