Programs, grants and venture funding for startups in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
Growth, profit, increased efficiency and secure business operations through sustainable innovation and technology — for founders, investors and partners.
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“A constant process of optimizing resources towards a favorable and stable future.”
Formulate, evaluate and promote solutions that accelerate innovation.
We improve productivity to drive growth, opportunity and progress. SITF is part of the Nazarbayev University ecosystem and is led by CEO Aryngazin Askar Kanapevich. We are committed to high standards of research integrity and an internal code of ethics based on analytical rigor, original thinking, and independence.
Meet the teamOur Ecosystem
GoAbroad Accelerator
From pitch deck to Silicon Valley for Central Asian founders.
02Startup World Cup Kazakhstan
The Kazakhstan stage of one of the world's largest startup championships.
03Incubation program
Twice a year program to find and support startup founders and talent.
04Grant activities
Grants to aspiring startups, established teams and early-stage startups.
05Venture activities
Venture capital funding to help early-stage startups scale.
06Investment activities
A managed fund helping investors, partners and sponsors grow capital.
07Coworking
Offices, conference rooms and workspaces for startups and IT companies.
08Digital Platform & JAS Academy
Connecting founders, talents, corporations and investors.
What we work towards
- 01
Competitiveness
Increasing the competitiveness of Kazakhstan through the formation of non-resource advantages of the country, active cooperation and experience in developed markets, networking and business at the early, venture and investment stages.
- 02
Ecosystem
Achieving high capabilities of the national technological and innovation ecosystem for the constant creation of new, fast-growing businesses and projects.
- 03
Structural change
Achieving structural changes in the economy by supporting the medium- and high-tech business sector.
Common questions
- What is SITF?
- SITF (Sustainable Innovation and Technology Foundation) is a foundation dedicated to developing technology entrepreneurship, supporting innovative startups and integrating them into the international ecosystem. It is part of the Nazarbayev University ecosystem.
- What is SITF's mission?
- Formulate, evaluate and promote solutions that accelerate innovation and improve productivity to drive growth, opportunity and progress.
- Where is SITF based?
- Astana, Kazakhstan — EXPO Multifunctional Complex, Block C2.1, Office 2.22.1.
- Who leads SITF?
- Aryngazin Askar Kanapevich, Chief Executive Officer, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.
Articles
From pitch deck to the TechCrunch Disrupt stage: 20 Central Asian startups make their way to Silicon Valley
GoAbroad 2026, the accelerator for Central Asian founders run by SITF and Silkroad Innovation Hub, has concluded.
Kazakhstani platform Bult.ai joins the MassChallenge Security & Resiliency program organized by SITF
SITF is the organizer and initiator of this specialized MassChallenge track in Kazakhstan.
Startup World Cup 2026 regional winner announced in Astana: who will represent Kazakhstan in Silicon Valley
Nazarbayev University hosted the Kazakhstan stage of Startup World Cup KAZAKHSTAN 2026. The winner: Mirai Tech.
Build the future of Kazakhstan with us.
Founders, investors and partners — contact the foundation.