Deadline: 17-Feb-23
The Silkway Accelerator Program is now open for applications that is designed for startups at the PMF (product/market fit) and Scale (projects at the scale and export stage) stage , during which participants will be assisted in creating effective business processes, scaling, meeting like-minded people, and preparing for investments in partnership with Google for Startups.
On the Silkway Accelerator program from Google for startups and Astana Hub , you will not only upgrade your startup with the best experts and mentors, but you will be able to convert your spent resource into results.
This program will be held offline in Astana, and is intended for startups at the Product Market fit and Scale stage from the countries of Central Asia, Mongolia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
What does the program includes?
The program includes:
- Tracking: Each project is assigned an individual tracker – a specialist who helps teams: implement management methods, monitor the dynamics of business indicators, facilitate meetings with partner companies, etc.
- Individual Meetings: Mentoring and individual consultations are available every day from Google for Startups and Astana Hub experts in various fields such as marketing, finance, business model development, pitching, etc.
- Group Meetings: Board meetings, sales meetings, mastermind will be held to share results, experience, cross-sell, collaborate, form horizontal connections between participants, etc.
- Workshops: Online and offline workshops from Google for Startups and Astana Hub, as well as guest lectures with investors, expert founders of IT companies, etc.
Program Priviledges
- Accommodation: Accommodation for 2 team members is provided free of charge for 3 months, within walking distance from Astana Hub
- coworking: Free jobs on the territory of Astana Hub along with many other IT start-ups/companies
- Tax preferences: All residents of Astana Hub receive tax preferences and are exempted from paying basic income taxes
- PR support: Successful startups will be published on the official pages of Google for Startups and Astana Hub and will be able to become the heroes of interviews and live broadcasts
- Networking: Great opportunities for networking in the center of the innovation cluster of Astana
- Demo day: Projects that have passed the accelerator will have access to a circle of investors and business angels
Selection Criteria
- For startups at the PMF stage (product / market compliance) and Scale (projects at the scaling and export stage) with the Mandatory participation of the CEO of the company , who makes decisions in it (offline participation)
- IT component: A startup must include an IT component in its structure
- Electronic digital signature (EDS): All participants must have an electronic digital signature (EDS) to participate in the program. If you do not have a digital signature, it can be done during the program.
- Offline format: Physical attendance required at events in Astana, Kazakhstan for the duration of the program (3 months)
- Program language: Fluency in English and Russian is required to master the material provided
- Only for Central Asia and neighboring countries: The program is intended for founders of startups whose citizenship belongs to the following countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Mongolia and Georgia.
Information for Foreign Applicants
- Kyrgyzstan
- For stay in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan up to 90 days – a visa is not required
- Companies from the Kyrgyz Republic can apply for a temporary residence permit for up to 1 or 2 years after receiving an IIN (individual identification number) and an EDS (electronic digital signature).
- The basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit is the signed Agreement for participation in the Silkway Accelerator program.
- Uzbekistan
- For stay in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan up to 30 days – a visa is not required
- Companies from the Republic of Uzbekistan can apply for a temporary residence permit for up to 1 or 2 years after receiving an IIN (individual identification number) and an EDS (electronic digital signature).
- The basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit is the signed Agreement for participation in the Silkway Accelerator program.
- Tajikistan
- For stay in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan up to 90 days – a visa is not required
- Companies from the Republic of Tajikistan can apply for a temporary residence permit for up to 1 or 2 years after receiving an IIN (individual identification number) and an EDS (electronic digital signature).
- The basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit is the signed Agreement for participation in the Silkway Accelerator program.
- Turkmenistan
- Citizens of the Republic of Turkmenistan must obtain a visa to enter the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
- In case of taking part in the Silkway Accelerator program, the company must apply to the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Turkmenistan to obtain a B7 visa. You must have an invitation from Astana Hub, a signed Agreement for participation in the Silkway Accelerator program, a passport and payment of the state duty for an exit visa/invitation (paid by the inviting party, amount 1,531.5 tenge). B7 visa is issued for a period of 90 to 180 days.
- Azerbaijan
- For stay in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan up to 90 days – a visa is not required
- Companies from the Republic of Azerbaijan can apply for a temporary residence permit for up to 1 or 2 years after receiving an IIN (individual identification number) and an EDS (electronic digital signature).
- The basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit is the signed Agreement on participation in the Silkway Accelerator program.
- Mongolia
- For stay in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan up to 90 days – a visa is not required
- Companies from Mongolia can apply for a temporary residence permit for up to 1 or 2 years after receiving an IIN (individual identification number) and an EDS (electronic digital signature).
- The basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit is the signed Agreement on participation in the Silkway Accelerator program.
- Georgia
- For stay in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan up to 90 days – a visa is not required
- Companies from Georgia can apply for a temporary residence permit for up to 1 or 2 years after receiving an IIN (individual identification number) and an EDS (electronic digital signature).
- The basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit is the signed Agreement on participation in the Silkway Accelerator program.
For more information, visit Astana Hub.