Kazakhstan unveils Women’s Venture Fund as Astana hosts AI Week 2025
Nation’s first gender-focused investment fund launched during week-long forum showcasing AI, blockchain, and digital entrepreneurship
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan has taken a step toward closing the gender gap in technology by launching its first Women’s Venture Fund. The initiative, revealed on Sept. 29, is designed to give female entrepreneurs better access to financing, mentorship, and international networks, while allowing contributions from investors of any size.
The announcement came as Astana welcomed AI Week 2025, a forum running from Sept. 26 to Oct. 4 that has drawn regional and global innovators. According to the Astana Times, the event is positioning Kazakhstan as a hub for artificial intelligence, digital startups, and cross-border technology partnerships.
The program features a mix of competitions, accelerators, and international panels. On Sept. 30, Central Asia’s top developers are showcasing projects built with Google’s Firebase Studio and Gemini API, competing for cash prizes, cloud credits, and professional recognition.
Momentum will continue on Oct. 1 with the opening of the third cohort of Astana Hub’s AI’preneurs accelerator, which has become a launchpad for startups aiming to scale globally.
Sessions later in the week will widen the focus: Oct. 2 will spotlight blockchain and Web3, with Solana Foundation President Lily Liu and former football star Sol Campbell among headline speakers, while Oct. 3 will center on regional cooperation and innovation across industries.
The forum will conclude on Oct. 4 with a networking session hosted by the TON CIS Hub, aimed at expanding the TON blockchain ecosystem across post-Soviet states.
Analysts say pairing the Women’s Venture Fund with a high-profile digital forum sends a signal that Kazakhstan is intent on using both gender equity and technological innovation as pillars of its economic strategy. By aligning with global trends in AI and Web3, the country is seeking to amplify its role in the wider digital economy.
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