AI'preneurs is a program designed for strategic thinkers and technology specialists from various countries to collaborate, form teams, and build scalable AI startups. The initiative facilitates the entire startup creation cycle, from idea development and team formation to building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), launching pilot projects, and attracting investment. The program's mission is to connect highly skilled professionals, create the necessary conditions for AI startup development, and provide comprehensive support for the continued scaling of alumni projects.
Program Stages
• Founder Lab (4 weeks): An initial stage for individual participants focused on developing a founder mindset and entrepreneurial skills. The structured program involves hands-on practical work, intensive challenges, and hackathons, fostering a strong community to facilitate organic team formation.
• Core Accelerator (10 weeks): The core stage for formed teams to build their technology product. The focus is on validating hypotheses, developing an MVP, working with initial customers, and achieving the first market traction.
• Demo Day: The final event where the top teams present their projects to an audience of venture funds, business angels, and corporate partners to secure capital and pilot agreements.
Participant Profile
• Target Audience: The program is open to professionals involved in building, developing, and scaling products and businesses. This includes developers, engineers, AI specialists, product managers, current and former entrepreneurs, and startup founders.
• Selection Criteria: Participation is competitive. Candidates are evaluated on their depth of expertise, strategic thinking, decision-making speed, and readiness to move toward the market. The key criterion is the ability to build a product, rapidly test hypotheses, and demonstrate tangible progress.
Program Support and Resources
• Expert Support: Each team is assigned a mentor for close guidance and weekly board meetings. Participants also have access to workshops, guest lectures from leading experts, and individual consultations with specialized advisors.
• Infrastructure: for non-residents, accommodation is provided during the Core Accelerator stage.
• Technological Access: Participants gain access to AlemPlus, a digital platform for AI development that provides cloud infrastructure, GPU capacity, and tools for rapid prototyping and MVP launch.
• Funding Opportunities: The best teams will be offered pre-seed investments under a SAFE model contract from the Astana Hub Ventures venture fund.
• International Expansion: Graduates receive access to international markets through Astana Hub’s global network in Dubai, Shanghai, and the United States, including soft-landing support and consultations.
• Additional Perks: Participants can leverage benefits from over 30 tech companies partnered with Astana Hub, providing resources such as clouds and marketplaces.
Application and Program Details
• Application Deadline: March 27, 2026.
• How to Apply: Applications can be submitted through the platform at astanahub.com.
• Program Format: The program is held in an offline format in Astana, Kazakhstan.
• Program Duration: The total duration is 14 weeks.
• Cost: Participation in the program is free of charge.
• Eligibility for Non-Residents: Non-resident participants are eligible and will be provided with accommodation during the Core Accelerator stage.
• Team Requirement: Individuals are encouraged to apply; having a pre-formed team is not a prerequisite.
• Idea Requirement: An existing startup idea is not necessary to apply. Professional expertise and active involvement are key criteria.
• Product Focus: Projects must be based on AI technologies.
• Selection Process: Applicants must complete an application form, pass a screening process, and successfully complete a diagnostics session conducted as an interview.
With a track record of over 960 applications leading to 79 alumni and 35 startups that have collectively raised over $400,000, AI'preneurs aims to cultivate a strong community of AI entrepreneurs. The program brings together talented specialists from diverse fields to foster an environment where new ideas can emerge and teams capable of building globally competitive AI startups can be formed. For more information about the program and to submit an application, please visit the official website.