The results of the “OQ Startup” best project competition, organised by the Otandastar Qory NJSC, have been announced. The jury selected three prize-winners and ten recipients of incentive awards.

The grand prize went to ÜNDES.kz, a platform that converts Kazakh Sign Language into speech, developed by Bakhyt Rysbek from Mongolia.

Around 70 participants from Mongolia, Uzbekistan, China, Iran, Germany, the USA and Switzerland submitted their projects. They included young members of the Kazakh diaspora abroad, as well as students from more than 10 universities across Kazakhstan studying a range of disciplines and foundation-programme students.

The projects covered national heritage and language, support for kandas (ethnic Kazakh repatriates), education, business and digital services, ecology, inclusion and healthcare. Several projects were built on artificial intelligence technologies.

The jury assessed the projects on innovation, social impact and feasibility. It included representatives of Nazarbayev University, the non-profit organisation Technowomen and the company YerAI Education.

Competition winners
1st place: ÜNDES.kz, a platform that converts Kazakh Sign Language into speech. Author: Bakhyt Rysbek.
2nd place: ThermaWise AI, an artificial intelligence system that saves water and energy in data centres. Author: Mukhamedali Serikzhan.
3rd place: Hurim App, an app for planning a Kazakh toi (traditional celebration). Author: Aisha Beibitkhan.

Incentive award recipients
— Borrow Box: Chamani Pardis Rajab (Iran)
— EcoQadam: Azhikhan Tursynbayev (Uzbekistan)
— Köpir: Yerbol Yelkut (China), Toilat Azamat (Mongolia), Suleimen Kogershin (Mongolia)
— Altai Brothers: Berdikazhy Yessentai (Mongolia)
— PARAQ & JOY: Botakoz Makhsul (Mongolia)
— Qorgau Kids: Akhbota Bailau (Mongolia)
— Volu Hub: Nurmukhammed Khudaibergen (Mongolia)
— ISKE: Yerkezhan Tileukhan (Mongolia)
— SENIM Healthy Box: Akmaral Rakhmetkhan (Mongolia)

The “OQ Startup” competition aims to support initiatives by young members of the diaspora and Kazakhstani students and to align their projects with Kazakhstan’s development priorities.