The investment fund Central Asia Capital and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic signed an agreement for the implementation of the Central Asia Startup program — the first large-scale project for the development of entrepreneurship and technology startups in Kyrgyzstan.

The program is aimed at supporting novice entrepreneurs, developing an innovative ecosystem, and forming a sustainable model of interaction between business and government. Details of the collaboration were presented at a meeting between the founder of the Central Asia Capital fund, Anton Sobin, and the Minister of Science and Innovations of the Kyrgyz Republic, Baktyar Orozov.

According to the agreement, the program is set to launch in early 2026. Participants will be able to receive financial subsidies, undergo a six-month acceleration, and access a guaranteed market through existing industrial enterprises in the country.

“The feature of many startups is that ideas can be grand, but not always relevant here and now. We are building the program on the real needs of the economy of Kyrgyzstan and pre-forming a competition with specific technical tasks based on the requests of enterprises. For example, if one of our factories, Muras, needs certain parts — seats, headlights, and other components — we announce a competition and select the best teams. We provide funding, six months of training, and a guaranteed market, as well as the opportunity for international expansion into Russia”, said Anton Sobin, founder of the Central Asia Capital investment fund.

As part of the program, a national startup competition Central Asia Startup will be held, in which entrepreneurs and students from all over the country can participate. The best teams will undergo acceleration based at the innovative center of the Ministry of Education and Central Asia Capital. Upon completion of the program, startups will be able to localize their production within the industrial park Central Asia Hub in Tokmok.

It is expected that the first localized productions will start operating by the end of 2026.
The program will be an important step in the development of small and medium-sized businesses, stimulating import substitution, and increasing the technological level of industry in Kyrgyzstan, uniting the efforts of the state and the private sector.