Astana Hub and IT Park Uzbekistan have announced the opening of applications for the fifth cohort of the Hero Training acceleration programme, implemented in partnership with Draper University. This year, the programme will include 11 startups from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia and Azerbaijan.

Applications for participation are open until 7 March 2026.

Hero Training is a five-week course for entrepreneurs that provides intensive training in Silicon Valley. Participants gain access to markets in 25–30 countries, attend workshops, strategic sessions and AMA meetings with investors, receive mentorship from leading entrepreneurs, and take part in networking events. One of the key elements of the programme is the “Navy SEAL Survival Week”, a practical training designed to develop resilience, leadership and team effectiveness.

“Over the years, Hero Training has become one of the key international acceleration programmes for technology startups in Central Eurasia. During this period, the programme has attracted more than 260 applications, of which 41 startups successfully completed the offline acceleration at the campus of Draper University in Silicon Valley. Programme alumni have already raised more than $3 million in investments, established partnerships and launched sales in international markets. The geography of participants and project expansion covers the countries of Central Asia, the Caucasus and Turkey, as well as the United States, including entry into the Miami market and cooperation with American universities and companies. This confirms the practical value of the programme for startups aiming for global growth,” said Managing Director of Astana Hub, Tanat Uskembayev.

Technology startups with a working product at the MVP stage or above are eligible to apply for Hero Training. The programme offers participants the opportunity to accelerate the growth of their projects and prepare for entry into the U.S. market under the guidance of entrepreneurs and experts from the Draper Ecosystem, while also attracting the attention of international investors and partners.

More information about the Hero Training acceleration programme and the participants of the first, second, third and fourth cohorts is available on the platform astanahub.com.

Background

Draper Ecosystem represents a unique approach to bringing together talent, experts and investors by providing advanced facilitators and an extensive network of mentors, industry specialists, corporate partners and investors to support the innovation ecosystem. The founder of Draper University is Tim Draper, one of the leading venture capital investors in the United States.