During a visit to Washington, D.C., on November 6, President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev convened with founders of more than twenty Kazakh IT startups whose combined valuation stands at approximately US$1.4 billion, underscoring his country’s ambition to become a digital-economy leader.

The meeting forms part of the president’s broader mission to accelerate Kazakhstan’s transition into a fully digital nation.

Mr Tokayev addressed the entrepreneurs directly, stating: “As President of the country, I support you.

Your work is vital for the future of our nation.

Digitalization and the development of the high-tech industry are of strategic importance.” Among the companies present were Kazakhstan’s first so-called “unicorn”, Higgsfield AI, which develops cinematic-quality video through artificial intelligence; Deep Infra, a machine-learning deployment service; biotech firm Valinor; and drone startup ARC Drones, specialising in autonomous aerial systems.

The session also included a briefing on the activities of the Silkroad Innovations Hub, a technology accelerator based in Silicon Valley that supports startups from nine Central Eurasian countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Georgia, and Mongolia.

Since its founding, the Hub has supported roughly eighty resident companies, which have collectively attracted over US$30 million in funding.

Analysts view the gathering as a clear marker of Kazakhstan’s strategic pivot toward the tech sector, aligning with Mr Tokayev’s goal of completing the nation’s digital transformation within three years.

By spotlighting home-grown ventures with international ambition, the president is signalling that Kazakhstan seeks not only to host startup ecosystems but to export talent and products globally.

While many Central Asian countries remain dependent on traditional industries, Kazakhstan is investing heavily in high-tech and innovation infrastructure—an approach that aims to diversify the economy and appeal to international capital.

The Washington meeting serves both as a motivational gesture for emerging Kazakh entrepreneurs and as a public demonstration of the country’s high-tech trajectory.

With a scale of startup valuations reaching over US$1 billion and the backing of the state’s highest office, Kazakhstan is increasingly presenting itself as an innovation hub bridging Europe and Asia.

The next steps likely include further support for R&D, incentivising foreign collaboration and scaling successful ventures beyond the region.