Central Eurasian @ Silicon Valley offers an opportunity for tech leaders, startup founders, investors, and key ecosystem builders from Central Eurasia and Silicon Valley to connect.
Central Eurasian @ Silicon Valley offers an opportunity for tech leaders, startup founders, investors, and key ecosystem builders from Central Eurasia and Silicon Valley to connect.
BUY TICKETS
October 25, Friday
Yerba Buena center for the arts, San Francisco
Tech Conference offers an opportunity for tech leaders, startup founders, investors, and key ecosystem builders from Central Eurasia and Silicon Valley to connect.
Central Eurasia @ Silicon Valley
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
YBCA is a historic venue known for hosting:
  • Apple Product Launches: Steve Jobs famously launched the iPod and iPad on YBCA's stage.
  • Tech Conferences: AI, robotics, VR, and AR events.
  • Salesforce Dreamforce: Sessions and events during Salesforce's annual Dreamforce conference.
YBCA location:
701 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Central Eurasia

The birthplace of the new wave of global unicorns

50+
speakers
10+
panel sessions
startups
100+
1000+
participants
fun
100%
100+
investors
SPEAKERS
  • Zhaslan Madiyev
    Minister of Digital, Innovations & Aerospace of Kazakhstan
  • Jeff Maggioncalda
    CEO of Coursera
  • Nitin Pachisia
    Founding Partner of Unshackled Ventures
  • Arvind Jain
    CEO of Glean
  • Ilya Strebulayev
    Professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business
  • Alex Dang
    Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Company
  • Ben Nelson
    Founder & Chancellor of Minerva University
  • Gregory LaBlanc
    Lecturer at Berkeley & Stanford
  • Cora Lam
    Techwomen Mentor
  • Abdulakhad Kuchkarov
    Executive Director of IT PARK Uzbekistan
  • Temur Khisamutdinov
    TechnoPark of Dushabe city, Director
  • Kubra Boz
    Director of Growth at Yapay Zekâ Girişim Fabrikası @ İş Bank Group
  • Renat Bekturov
    Governor of Astana International Financial Centre
  • Nazira Nurbayeva
    General Consul of the Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Agahuseyn Ahmadov
    Head of Investments of Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA)
  • Farrukh Aliyev
    CEO of Pasha Innovation
  • Rauan Kenzhekhanuly
    CEO of Bilim Media Group, President of YPO Kazakhstan
  • Ismoilzod Hakim
    Agency For Innovation & Digital Technologies, Tajikistan
  • Ravi Belani
    CEO Alchemist Accelerator
  • Darsh Mann
    StartX, Head of Business Development
  • Galym Ussen
    CTO of Baiterek Holding
  • Renat Tukanov
    CTO of Freedom Holding
  • Kairat Akhmetov
    CEO of Freedom Telecom
  • Anna Fokina
    DCVC Bio, Investment Director
  • Pavel Koktyshev
    Managing Partner of Most Venture
  • Ella Shukho
    500 Global, Program Manager
  • Nikolay Seleznev
    Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer of Uzum
  • Malika Aubakirova
    Andreesseen Horowitz (a16z), Partner
  • Galym Imanbayev
    Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners
  • Sattar Utkelbayev
    JAS Ventures Limited, Managing Director
  • Meini Heuberger
    Cohere AI, VP of Growth
  • Aizada Marat
    Founder of Alma
  • Assel Tuleubayeva
    Co-founder of Alma
  • Alex Mashrabov

    CEO of Higgsfield AI
  • Georgi Koreli
    CEO and Co-Founder of Hinkal
  • Kevin Handa
    CTO of Uzum
  • Kanykei Omurzakova
    Co-founder of the Central Asian Ladies Initiative (CALI)
  • Suffiyan Malik
    DraperU Ventures, Investor
  • Kuralay Baimenova
    Office of International Relations and Investments, Senior Manager
  • Christy Canida
    Alchemist Accelerator, Senior Director
  • Marlen Sikhayev
    Freedom Holding, Advisor to the CEO
  • Zaynab Atabaeva
    Chief Manager at IT PARK Uzbekistan
  • Nurzhan Kadirkey
    Qazaqstan Investment Corporation, Managing Director
  • Mammad Karim
    Caucasus Ventures, Partner
  • Nick Davidov
    DVC, General Partner
  • Nora Juraboeva
    Director of Partnership in Grammarly
  • Rania Helmy
    MIT, Senior Advisor for Strategy & Partnerships
  • Aijan Alisherova
    Accelerate Prosperity, TA Lead
  • Danil Kislinskiy
    Founder of Go Global World
  • Daniel Abdyldayev
    Accelerate Prosperity
  • Ardak Kussainova
    Atarino AI
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Friday, October 25
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)
Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA
09:00 –10:00
09:00 –10:00
Registration
10:00 – 10:20
10:00 – 10:20
Opening Ceremony
Keynote Addresses
Asset Abdualiyev, Founder & CEO of Silkroad Innovation Hub
Asror Arabjanov, Co-founder of Silkroad Innovation Hub
Blue Shield of California Theather
10:20 – 10:40
10:20 – 10:40
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Zhaslan Madiyev,
Minister of Digital, Innovations & Aerospace of Kazakhstan
Blue Shield of California Theather
10:50 – 11:10
10:50 – 11:10
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Arvind Jain,
CEO of Glean
Blue Shield of California Theather
11:20 – 11:40
11:20 – 11:40
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Jeff Maggioncalda,
CEO of Coursera
Blue Shield of California Theather
11:50 – 12:10
11:50 – 12:10
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Nitin Pachisia,
Founding Partner of Unshackled Ventures
Blue Shield of California Theather
12:15 – 12:35
12:15 – 12:35
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Aizada Marat, Founder of Alma
Assel Tuleubayeva, Co-founder of Alma
Blue Shield of California Theather
12:35 –1:30
12:35 –1:30
Break
12:00 – 5:00
12:00 – 5:00
STARTUP EXPO
Forum - Startup Expo Hall
Meet the TOP 100 outstanding startups from Central Eurasia at the first-ever Central Eurasia @ Silicon Valley Tech Conference! 🇦🇿🇬🇪🇰🇿🇰🇬🇲🇳🇹🇯🇹🇲🇹🇷🇺🇿
12:00 – 5:00
12:00 – 5:00
CESV | GGW Sharks Startup Pitch Competition by Go Global World
Forum - Startup Expo Hall
Participants of the Startup Expo at Central Eurasia @ Silicon Valley will pitch in competition to an invited lineup of VCs.

Moderator: Danil Kislinskiy, Founder of Go Global World
  • 12:00-13:00 - Batch 1
  • 13:15-14:15 - Batch 2
  • 14:30-15:30 - Batch 3
  • 15:45-16:45 - Batch 4
1:00 – 2:30
1:00 – 2:30
PANEL DISCUSSION: Building & Supporting the Startup Ecosystem in Central Eurasia
The Lounge

This panel showcases the rapid and qualitative growth of Central Eurasia's startup ecosystems. Experts will highlight the region's emerging tech hubs, accelerating innovation rates, and increasing global competitiveness. Discussions will focus on how entrepreneurs, accelerators, investors, and tech centers synergize to create a vibrant, world-class startup environment. Panelists will address key challenges and opportunities in scaling regional startups to global markets.


Moderator:

  • Agahuseyn Ahmadov, Investment Director Innovation and Digital Development Agency of Azerbaijan
  • Pavel Koktyshev, MOST Ventures, Co-founder and Managing Partner

Speakers:

  • Ismoilzod Hakim, Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies of Tajikistan, First Deputy Director,
  • Temur Khisamutdinov, TechnoPark of Dushanbe City, Director
  • Georgi Koreli - CEO Hinkal
  • Nurzhan Kadirkey, Qazaqstan Investment Corporation, Managing Director
  • Nikolay Seleznez, Uzum, CTO
  • Marlen Sikhayev, Freedom Holding, Advisor to the CEO
  • Kairat Akhmetov, Freedom Telecom, CEO
  • Yerbol Akhmetov, Astana Hub
  • Darsh Mann, StartX
  • Ella Shukho, 500 Global
  • Aijan Alisherova, Accelerate Prosperity
  • Daniel Abdyldaev, Chief Investment Officer, Accelerate Prosperity
  • Zaynab Atabaeva, IT-Park Uzbekistan, Chief Manager
  • Ardak Kussainova, Atarino AI, Founder & CEO
  • Sattar Utkelbayev, Jas Ventures
  • Gregory LaBlanc, Lecturer at Berkeley & Stanford
  • Suffiyan Malik, DraperU Ventures, Investor
1:30 – 2:30
1:30 – 2:30
PANEL DISCUSSION: EdTech & Innovation: Accelerating Change Through Education
Blue Shield of California Theather
Exploring revolutionary EdTech approaches reshaping education and industry. Global leaders will unveil cutting-edge learning platforms, AI-driven personalization, and immersive technologies transforming skill acquisition. The session will highlight how these innovations create a new paradigm of continuous learning, enable rapid adaptation to emerging technologies, and foster a culture of innovation across sectors.

Moderator:
  • Rauan Kenzhekhanuly, CEO of Bilim Media Group, President of YPO Kazakhstan
Speakers:
  • Jeff Maggioncalda, Coursera, CEO
  • Renat Bekturov, Astana International Financial Center, Governor
  • Farrukh Aliyev, Pasha Future Lab, Pasha Innovation, CEO
  • Ben Nelson, Founder & Chancellor of Minerva University
  • Ravi Belani, CEO Alchemist Accelerator, Lecturer on Entrepreneurship at Stanford University
1:30 – 2:50
1:30 – 2:50
PANEL DISCUSSION: AI as the Catalyst for Economic Growth in Emerging Markets
Screening Room
Exploring AI's role in driving economic growth in emerging markets, focusing on industry transformation, productivity enhancement, and sustainable development. The panel will discuss supporting AI development and how emerging markets can contribute to global AI advancements.

Moderator:
  • Kubra Binzat, AI Factory at Is Bankasi, Turkiye
Speakers:
  • Ussen Galym, Baiterek Holding, CTO
  • Renat Tukanov, Freedom Holding, CTO
  • Alex Mashrabov, Higgsfiled AI, CEO
  • Abdulakhad Kuchkarov, IT Park Uzbekistan, Executive Director
  • Meini Heuberger, Cohere AI, VP of Growth
2:45 – 4:00
2:45 – 4:00
PANEL DISCUSSION: Central Eurasia: Women Shaping the Future of Tech
Blue Shield of California Theather
This session explores Central Asia's remarkable progress in tech gender equality. With 49% of startup employees being women, 34% in leadership roles, and 30% of tech companies women-owned, the region outperforms global averages. Panelists will share success stories, discuss factors behind this achievement, and examine how Central Asia's model can inspire worldwide change.

Moderator:
  • Kanykei Omurzakova, Central Asian Ladies Initiative (CALI), Co-Founder, Cisco, Global Lead
Speakers:
  • Nazira Nurbayeva, General Consul of the Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Cora Lam, Techwomen Mentor, Senior Principal Engineer, Marvell Technology
  • Nora Juraboeva, Director of Partnership in Grammarly
  • Rania Helmy, Senior Advisor for Strategy & Partnerships, The Legatum Center at MIT
  • Christy Canida, Senior Director, Product, Alchemist Accelerator
3:00 – 4:20
3:00 – 4:20
PANEL DISCUSSION: Venture Capital Unlocked: Central Eurasia's Next Big Leap in the Global VC Game
Screening Room
This panel features prominent venture capitalists from Central Eurasia who now lead investment strategies at some of the world's largest VC firms. These trailblazers will share insights on how they're shaping global investment trends while spotlighting opportunities in their home region. Discover how Central Eurasian talent is not just participating, but driving innovation in the global VC landscape, making the region a new focal point for international investors.

Moderator:
  • Pavel Koktyshev, Most Ventures, Managing Partner
Speakers:
  • Galym Imanbayev, Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners
  • Anna Fokina, DCVC Bio, Investment Director
  • Mammad Karim, Caucasus Ventures, Partner
  • Malika Aubakirova, Andreesseen Horowitz (a16z), Partner
  • Nick Davidov, DVC, General Partner
4:00 – 5:30
4:00 – 5:30
UNICORN CUP: INTERNATIONAL GRAND FINALE
Blue Shield of California Theather
Global startup pitch competition, where 10 top startups were chosen from 500 candidates during online battles across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Central Eurasia, the Middle East, and Africa.
5:30 – 6:15
5:30 – 6:15
Break
6:15 - 6:30
6:15 - 6:30
CESV | GGW Sharks Startup Pitch Competition by Go Global World
Award Ceremony
Blue Shield of California Theather
Moderator:
Danil Kislinskiy, Founder of Go Global World
6:30 – 7:30
6:30 – 7:30
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Blue Shield of California Theather
  • Ilya Strebulayev, Professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business
  • Alex Dang, Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Company
Learn More
EXHIBITORS
MEET OUR EXHIBITORS
WHO SHOULD ATTEND ?
Startup Founders
Students
Corporate Executives
Academia
VCs & Angels
Ecosystem Players
Startup expo
Apply to Be One of the 100 Startups Showcasing at the Central Eurasia @ Silicon Valley Startup Expo!





This is your chance to pitch and showcase your startup at the heart of Silicon Valley, compete, and present on stage to renowned VCs. Don't miss this chance to elevate your startup to the next level!
STARTUP EXPO

Startup expo
Apply to Be One of the 100 Startups Showcasing at Startup Expo!
This is your chance to pitch and showcase your startup at the heart of Silicon Valley, compete, and present on stage to renowned VCs. Don't miss this chance to elevate your startup to the next level!
limited spots
APPLY FOR STARTUP EXPO

Unicorn Cup: International Grand Finale

The Unicorn Battle Cup is an international startup competition and one of the world's largest startup pitch contests.

  • About

    10 best startups were selected, out of 500 candidates, during the preliminary Unicorn Battles® that took place online covering North America, Latin America, Silicon Valley, Europe, Asia, Central Eurasia, the Middle East, and Africa
Learn more
Partners and community
Contact us
EMAIL
cesv@silkroadinnovationhub.com
WEBSITE
silkroadinnovationhub.com
LINKEDIN
Silkroad Innovation Hub