On August 29, Nazarbayev University (NU) hosted the Kazakhstan regional final of Startup World Cup 2026, an international competition that connects technology startups with investors and the global venture capital community. Mirai Tech, a SportTech startup, took the top spot, earning a place at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco. The team will represent Kazakhstan at the global competition this fall and compete for the US$1 million grand prize.
The Kazakhstan final brought together more than 300 guests, including international investors, venture capital firms, business leaders, and members of the IT community. Ten of the country’s most promising startups competed in the final after being selected from more than 140 applications.
Along with a spot at the global finale, Mirai Tech received US$20,000 from event partner JAS Ventures to help cover travel expenses. The other nine finalists also received tickets to attend the global Startup World Cup in the United States, where they will have the opportunity to connect with leading American venture capital firms and major corporations.
Hosting Startup World Cup in Kazakhstan reflects Nazarbayev University’s growing role as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. Sayat Nyussupov, Chairman of the Board of NU Impact Foundation, said bringing the competition to Kazakhstan gives local startups a direct pathway to the global venture capital ecosystem.
“Bringing the Startup World Cup to Kazakhstan for the first time is a major achievement for our ecosystem. It is one of the world’s largest startup competitions, and today Kazakhstani teams have the opportunity to showcase their technologies directly to the global venture capital community and demonstrate that they can compete at this level. Our partnership with Pegasus Tech Ventures makes this access tangible — from engaging directly with international investors here in Kazakhstan to having the opportunity to take the stage at the global finale in San Francisco,” said Sayat Nyussupov.
Askar Aryngazin, Chief Executive Officer of the Sustainable Innovation and Technology Foundation (SITF), said the competition gives Kazakhstani startups a gateway to international markets, leading industries, and global investors. The event also builds on the track record of the NU innovation ecosystem: 17 startups from the university community have previously been accepted into StartX, the prestigious accelerator affiliated with Stanford University.
For Gulnur Kalimuldina, founder of Mirai Tech, the trip to San Francisco marks another step in the startup’s international expansion. Mirai Tech’s technology is already being used in the US and European markets, and the team is now preparing to showcase its solution to the global venture capital community in California this fall.
