Kazakh startup breaks into Silicon Valley’s top 10

TrustMe, a digital contract platform using SMS and biometrics, eyes $1 billion valuation as it expands globally

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — A Kazakh startup is making waves in Silicon Valley, securing a spot among the top ten emerging companies.

TrustMe, an IT platform that enables instant contract signing via SMS, messaging apps, and biometric verification, is gaining global recognition for its blockchain-secured digital agreements.

According to Silk Way TV, TrustMe has already attracted over 850,000 users, with one million contracts signed on its platform.

The company’s rapid growth has drawn the attention of prominent venture capitalist Tim Draper—an early investor in Tesla and Skype—who backed the startup with a $1 million investment in November 2024.

TrustMe earned its spot in the top ten at the Hero Training Program Demo Day at Astana Hub in Silicon Valley, standing out among more than 100 startups from 35 countries.

This milestone has positioned the company as a key player in digital contract automation.

Now setting its sights on expansion, TrustMe plans to enter Russia, Türkiye, the United States, and Gulf markets, with a long-term goal of becoming Kazakhstan’s first unicorn—a privately held startup valued at over $1 billion.

“Our system is one of a kind. We automate contract terms using smart contracts, and our electronic digital signature (EDS) is recognized in over 150 countries,” said project manager Chingiz Dauletbayev.

“With our growth trajectory, we are confident in achieving unicorn status within a few years.”

Kazakhstan is aggressively fostering its tech industry, aiming to create five unicorn companies by 2029, increase IT exports to $5 billion, and roll out at least 25 AI-powered products annually, according to its AI Development Concept.