The fourth cohort of the Hero Training international acceleration program, implemented at Astana Hub in partnership with Draper University, has officially come to an end. During the program, startup teams focused on adapting their products to the requirements of the U.S. market and preparing for international scaling, DKNews.kz reports.
This year, the program attracted strong interest, receiving 85 applications from startups across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, and Russia. Following an initial selection and online diagnostics, an expert panel selected four top projects: Health Balance, Sale Scout, ZEEP, and Hemo.Labs.
$3.3 million raised across four cohorts
According to Tangat Uskembayev, Managing Director of Astana Hub, Hero Training continues to deliver increasingly strong results with each new cohort.
“With every cohort, Hero Training accelerates startup growth. Teams rethink their strategies, strengthen their products, and gain confidence when entering international markets. Across four cohorts, 41 startups have participated in the program, collectively raising around $3.3 million in investment. These results prove that startups from our region can compete on a global level,” he said.
Health Balance: health tech with global ambitions
Among the participants of the fourth cohort was Health Balance, a startup operating in the health and well-being sector. The project develops data-driven and technology-based solutions designed to help users improve their quality of life and better manage their health.
According to Zhaksybek Nurtlesov, CEO of Health Balance, Hero Training became a key milestone in the company’s development.
“We revisited our product strategy and refined our value proposition based on feedback from international mentors and the market. The program expanded our network and gave us the opportunity to participate in major international events, including TechCrunch Disrupt, which increased our visibility and opened new opportunities for partnerships and scaling,” he noted.
The team is now focused on further product development and entering foreign markets.
ZEEP: digital beverage stations built for scale
Another participant, ZEEP, is a FoodTech startup developing a network of digital beverage vending stations powered by its own SaaS platform and a franchise-ready, scalable business model.
Founder of ZEEP Dauren Kozybayev said the program helped the team strengthen its business fundamentals.
“Hero Training helped us refine ZEEP’s business model and operational strategy, as well as better understand scalable formats for digital coffee concepts and key factors for entering new markets. We validated our hypotheses, strengthened our investment pitch, and built valuable connections with mentors and potential partners, particularly in technology and payment solutions,” he said.
ZEEP is now identifying priority markets and preparing pilot projects for further expansion.
What Hero Training offers startups
Hero Training, founded by renowned venture capitalist Tim Draper, is designed for technology startups with ready products at the MVP stage or beyond. The program provides founders with the opportunity to accelerate growth, prepare for entry into the U.S. market, and receive hands-on support from entrepreneurs and experts within the Draper Ecosystem.
In addition to mentorship, the program helps startups gain exposure to international investors and strategic partners, positioning them for global expansion.
Draper Ecosystem: a global network of opportunity
The Draper Ecosystem brings together talent, experts, and investors through a powerful network of mentors, industry specialists, corporate partners, and venture capital firms. Draper University was founded by Tim Draper, one of the most prominent venture investors in the United States.
What’s next
The results of the fourth Hero Training cohort once again demonstrate that startups from Central Asia are ready to compete on the global stage. Through its partnership with Draper University, Astana Hub continues to serve as a gateway for regional startups seeking access to international markets, capital, and expertise.
More information about the Hero Training accelerator and participants from previous cohorts is available on the Astana Hub platform.
