- Kazakhstan will provide $50,000 funding to digital marketing startups in 2025.
- Astana powers Central Asia’s tech hub ambitions.
- Start your business journey by applying between April 1 and June 30, 2025.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why the Kazakhstan Fund Excels
- Program Specifics
- A Founder’s Rise
- How to Apply
- Winning Tips
- Life in Kazakhstan
- Conclusion
Introduction
Through its official portal digital.gov.kz (March 11, 2025), the Ministry of Digital Development in Kazakhstan announced the creation of the Kazakhstan Digital Marketing Startup Fund 2025 which provides $50,000 to support innovative digital marketing businesses. Applications for Kazakhstan’s 19 million citizens (Bureau of National Statistics, stat.gov.kz, 2024) will be accepted by this fund from April 1 through June 30 in 2025. The Digital Kazakhstan Strategy’s $100 million framework establishes this initiative as its foundation through a collaboration with Astana Hub (astanahub.com, 2024) to cultivate Central Asia’s technology sector.
Kazakhstan demonstrates strong potential for economic expansion due to its digital economy being worth $10 billion and having achieved 75% internet penetration (International Telecommunication Union, ITU, itu.int, 2024). Since March 11, 2025 this fund has evolved from a successful pilot in 2024 to empower startups with resources to enter the growing digital advertising space while supporting Kazakhstan’s goal to build a $50 billion digital economy by 2030. Entrepreneurs now have an excellent chance to start businesses in a region that wants to become a digital marketing innovation leader.
Why the Kazakhstan Fund Excels
Building a Tech Hub
Kazakhstan has demonstrated economic progress through its 8% GDP growth in 2024 according to the World Bank and is making significant strides with a $500 million investment in Astana Hub to establish a $50 billion digital economy by 2030. The Kazakhstan Digital Marketing Startup Fund funds 50 startups every year after a successful 2024 pilot which launched 40 ventures and created 200 jobs (stat.gov.kz, 2024). The digital marketing strategy for 2025 intends to strengthen Kazakhstan’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which serve as the economic foundation of the country.
The combination of 50 Mbps 5G trials and a low-cost coder workforce in Astana generates an ideal setting for startup development. Kazakhstan’s dedication to leading Central Asia’s $5 billion digital market establishes its position as the regional frontrunner ahead of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan and creates a tech hub that stands alongside established competitors.
Digital Marketing Growth
The digital advertising market in Kazakhstan reached $200 million in 2024 with a growth rate of 20%, propelled by platforms including VKontakte with 5 million users and Instagram according to We Are Social and datareportal.com data from 2024. The Kazakhstan Digital Marketing Startup Fund takes advantage of this growth by working with 2024 startups which helped SMEs grow their revenue by 30% and contributed $5 million to the economy (stat.gov.kz, 2024). The Kazakhstan Digital Marketing Startup Fund plans to increase ad spending by 100% in 2025 because e-commerce grew by 30% to reach $1 billion (stat.gov.kz, 2024).
Startups can use Kazakhstan as a platform to reach Central Asia’s 70 million people because of its 75% internet penetration rate and 80% Google search market dominance (ITU, 2024; StatCounter, statcounter.com, 2024). The fund’s backing enables Kazakhstan to reach into an untapped digital marketing area that reveals numerous possibilities thereby boosting its economic power.
Program Specifics
Fund Details
The Kazakhstan Digital Marketing Startup Fund disbursements $50,000 to each startup which includes 70% allocated as initial seed funding and 30% given after reaching specific milestones according to digital.gov.kz (2024). The program will run from July 2025 through June 2026 for Kazakh individuals or teams and aims to select 50 winners from 300 applicants in 2025, which is an increase from the 40 winners chosen from 2024 (Astana Hub, astanahub.com, 2024). The fund provides support for development and marketing campaign activities along with scaling efforts that focus specifically on digital platforms.
The year 2024 saw successful ventures maximize their reach through effective use of Instagram and Google Ads (stat.gov.kz, 2024). SEO and social media strategies will lead the 2025 program following a 25% increase in ad growth (Astana Hub, 2024). Startups receive essential support from Astana Hub mentorship programs which help them navigate Kazakhstan’s digital advertising market worth $200 million.
A Founder’s Rise
The 2024 Astana founding team member Aigerim Tolegen demonstrates the fund’s success by building a digital marketing platform that achieved $500,000 in revenue (Astana Hub, 2024). The $50,000 grant she received enabled her to run Instagram campaigns that boosted her SME client base by 40% according to stat.gov.kz data from 2024. Aigerim turned her startup into an influential regional business during one year which demonstrated the effectiveness of the fund.
Aigerim initially focused on local markets before expanding her business to meet the demands of Kazakhstan’s SME sector which provides work for 70% of employees (stat.gov.kz, 2024). Her journey serves as a guideline for future applicants in 2025 who want to benefit from Kazakhstan’s digital expansion by showing how targeted financial support leads to substantial business growth.
How to Apply
Application Steps
Digital.gov.kz (2024) presents an application process designed to ensure clarity and competitive standards.
Register: As of April 1, 2025 applicants must register at digital.gov.kz through their identification process.
Submit: Your business plan, CV and 750-word marketing vision pitch must be ready for submission by June 30, 2025.
Pitch: During July 2025 candidates who made the shortlist will present their pitches in Astana and the results will be published on July 15.
The procedure establishes viable digital marketing plans enabling startups to put their ideas into action. Applicants receive three months starting March 11, 2025 to polish their proposals for a pool of 300 candidates.
Winning Tips
A local-centered approach such as “50% SME ad growth” led to successful outcomes for 70% of Astana Hub’s 2024 program participants. Digital.gov.kz (2024) reported that technical skills such as SEO were crucial for 80% of winners and submissions submitted in early April yielded better results according to analysis. Compliance with Astana Hub priorities (astanahub.com, 2024) improves applicants’ likelihood of success.
Applicants need to examine digital developments in Kazakhstan according to Astana Hub (2024) and develop scalable solutions. Performing data-supported expertise in VKontakte or Google Ads platforms helps candidates differentiate themselves in this competitive process.
Life in Kazakhstan
Entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan encounter a combination of fast-paced city life and relaxing countryside environments. The average rent in Astana stands at $300 per month according to stat.gov.kz (2024) while Kazakhtelecom (2024) reports beshbarmak costs $1 and 30 Mbps Wi-Fi service is available (Kazakhtelecom, 2024). Despite winter temperatures reaching -20°C (Kazhydromet, kazhydromet.kz, 2024) people find comfort through modern amenities.
Residents of Rural Almaty can rent for $200 monthly (Almaty.gov.kz, almaty.gov.kz, 2024) which creates a perfect setting for concentrated preparation. According to Expat.com (expat.com, 2024) Kazakhstan’s extensive natural environments and friendly atmosphere support digital marketing business launches.
Conclusion
The Kazakhstan Digital Marketing Startup Fund 2025 advances Central Asia’s technological development through digital marketing initiatives. Digital entrepreneurs can submit their applications on Kazakhstan Digital Startup Fund Platform from April 1 to June 30 and discover Astana Hub’s strategies by visiting astanahub.com. Start your enterprise in Astana to help define Kazakhstan’s digital future.
FAQs
Who can apply for the fund?
Individuals who live in Kazakhstan and teams who develop digital marketing businesses meet the qualifications for the program.
What does the fund provide?
The fund provides $50,000 in initial funding with additional support.
When is the application deadline?
Applications close on June 30, 2025.