The AlchemistX and Silicon Valley Residency (SVR) programs, which ran for four months in Silicon Valley, have successfully concluded, marking an important milestone for startups from Central Eurasia, the MENA region, and Singapore. In total, 23 startups took part in the programs, focusing on adapting their products to the demanding requirements of the U.S. market, DKNews.kz reports.
The results speak for themselves. Nine startups raised a combined $1.3 million in investment, while 12 companies launched 108 pilot projects with corporate and commercial partners in the United States. Based on the outcomes of these pilots, the projected total revenue of the program’s graduate portfolio for 2026 is estimated at $22 million.
“A Clear Signal of Global Readiness”
According to Tanat Uskembayev, Managing Director of Astana Hub, the programs proved that startups from the region are ready to scale internationally.
“AlchemistX and Silicon Valley Residency have opened real access to global markets and Silicon Valley’s expert ecosystem for Central Eurasian startups. The investments raised and the number of pilot projects achieved in such a short time clearly demonstrate the startups’ readiness to scale and compete globally,” he said.
Rather than focusing on theory, the programs emphasized hands-on execution. Participants took part in workshops, sales training, mentoring sessions, and meetings with industry leaders, while actively building sales funnels, adapting products for the U.S. market, and engaging with potential customers.
From Acceleration to an International Community
Asset Abdualiyev, Founder and CEO of Silkroad Innovation Hub, highlighted the rapid growth of the initiative and the emergence of a true international startup community.
“This year we received 225 applications and selected 23 strong teams. The program’s geography expanded from four to seven countries, including Qatar, Singapore, and Georgia. What matters most is that a real international community has formed around the program,” he noted.
According to Abdualiyev, startups are not only accelerating their products but also forming partnerships with one another. One example is the collaboration between Mongolia-based Open Spot and Kazakhstan’s HANDYMATY, which joined forces to develop an integrated solution for parking infrastructure.
He also pointed to young founders as a major source of inspiration. Student-led teams such as ALEEM from Kazakhstan and Makon AI from Uzbekistan are already building in-demand EdTech products while still studying at university.
Demo Day: From EdTech to Aviation Technologies
During the final Demo Day, startups presented solutions across a wide range of sectors, including EdTech, HealthTech, B2B SaaS, industrial automation, creative industries, aviation technologies, and more.
Participating startups included Aleem, GrowyAI, QazTWIN, Makon AI, HANDYMATY, Virtual Story, Viral Video, among others. Many teams demonstrated significant progress in product development, business models, and overall readiness for entry into the U.S. market.
QazTWIN: Digital Twins for Industrial Enterprises
One of the standout startups was QazTWIN, a digital twin platform designed for industrial enterprises. The team develops 3D models of factories and infrastructure facilities, integrating them with SCADA, IoT, and ERP data to enable real-time equipment monitoring and predictive failure analysis.
According to Anuar Zhaxylyq, co-founder of QazTWIN, participation in the programs became a turning point for the company.
“Placing fifth at Demo Day attracted strong interest from international partners and opened the door to launching our first pilots. We are now focused on adapting QazTWIN for international clients, opening a U.S. entity, and developing the platform as a global SaaS solution,” he said.
What Comes Next
AlchemistX is a specialized program developed by Alchemist Accelerator, one of the leading B2B accelerators in the United States, designed to help Central Eurasian startups move from product-market fit to scalable business models and effective go-to-market strategies.
Silicon Valley Residency is a flagship initiative of Silkroad Innovation Hub, aimed at systematically integrating startups from Central Eurasia into the Silicon Valley ecosystem through mentoring, residency, and long-term collaboration.
The programs are implemented with the support of government and innovation institutions in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and were first launched in 2024, when 22 startups completed the initial cohort.
The third cohort of AlchemistX and Silicon Valley Residency will open for applications in spring 2026. Updated information on participation requirements and selection timelines will be published on the Astana Hub platform.
