Central Asian startup ecosystem: weekly insights & news, June 9-14

For investors, founders, and anyone interested in the Central Asian startup scene — here is a quick look at the top news from this week. We have gathered the key updates, from new launches to funding deals and industry moves across the region.

Applications are now open for the Digital Startups Scale-Up Program in the UAE. The program will run from mid-September to mid-November 2025. Application deadline: June 20.

Kazakh startup Shart Rate has raised $150 000 in funding at a $1 million valuation. Shart Rate is the first platform in Kazakhstan that enables individuals and businesses to make financial and commodity transactions secured by a mediation agreement.

Applications are also open for the new cohort of the AlchemistX & Silicon Valley Residency Program. Participants will undergo a four-month immersion into one of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems.

Over 3000 rural settlements in Kazakhstan will be connected to high-speed internet. The total investment in the project will exceed 239 billion tenge and will be funded from non-budgetary sources.

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development and Meta discussed an AI partnership and measures to protect children from harmful online content. Meta presented a new Instagram feature — “Teen Accounts” — designed for users under the age of 16.

Investbanq, an AI-driven capital management platform for family offices, asset managers, and banks, has announced the closure of its $3 million Pre-Series A round. Earlier this year, Investbanq won the international startup reality show Meet The Drapers.

Kazakhstan has signed an agreement to launch Starlink satellite internet. The document outlines the official start of Starlink terminal sales to the general public, expected in the third quarter of 2025. The project will be a major step toward providing high-speed satellite internet access to the country’s remote and hard-to-reach regions.