Kazakhstani startups WeGlobal AI, Mirai Tech, Lumia, and Moon AI have been selected for StartX, one of the world’s most selective and prestigious accelerators based at Stanford University. Their admission became possible through the Platinum Agreement between StartX and Astana Business Campus, part of the NU Impact Foundation ecosystem.
StartX is widely recognized as one of the most rigorous startup accelerators globally. While it does not invest directly, participation in the program is regarded by the venture market as a strong institutional signal of quality. Through deep evaluation of teams and technologies, StartX helps reduce risks for early-stage investors. Its alumni include three decacorns and more than 20 unicorns, with a combined valuation exceeding $120 billion.
According to Bauyrzhan Dzhumagaliyev, Chairman of the Management Board of Astana Business Campus, the current batch marks a record number of startups selected from Kazakhstan, highlighting the steady growth in the quality of local startup development and the strength of the national innovation ecosystem.
“This batch set a new record, with four startups from Kazakhstan selected at once. In previous years, no more than three startups from the country were admitted per batch. This achievement reflects the systematic growth in startup quality and their readiness to compete confidently on the global stage. It is especially notable that among the selected companies is Mirai Tech, a deeptech startup that completed its full development journey within Nazarbayev University — from the ABC Incubation program to scaling in the U.S. market and selection into StartX at Stanford,” he said.
WeGlobal AI is an AI-powered EdTech platform focused on supporting students’ mental health and career guidance. Over the past few months, the solution has reached more than 500,000 students and has been implemented in hundreds of schools, connecting students, psychologists, and educational institutions within a single digital ecosystem.
“Reaching 500,000 users in just three months is a rare example of strong product-market fit, even by global standards. StartX selects precisely these kinds of projects — those with real traction, not just vision. WeGlobal AI fully meets that benchmark,” said Gaukhar Ryskulova, StartX Program Expert at Astana Business Campus.
Mirai Tech is a deeptech startup that has developed a portable AI biomechanics lab. Its smart sensor insoles and wearable devices enable real-time monitoring of patient recovery and injury prevention. The solution is already being used in the sports industry and has strong international scaling potential. The company is currently in discussions with European football clubs on pilot launches and plans to begin pilot projects with teams in Italy and the Netherlands in the coming months — an important step toward entering the European market.
Lumia is an AI recruiter for the U.S. home care market that automates talent sourcing and screening. Despite being at an early stage, the startup is already demonstrating international traction: during its U.S. pilot, the platform processed over 250 résumés, conducted more than 70 AI interviews, and generated a shortlist of candidates, allowing the employer to fill a role in just a few days instead of several weeks.
The Lumia team is now focused on scaling in the U.S. and is in talks to launch new pilots in high-volume hiring segments, including home care and hospitality. In the long term, the company aims to build a global platform that replaces traditional résumés with a “job auditions” format, helping employers identify talent faster and more accurately.
Moon AI is a next-generation platform of enterprise AI agents that automate sales and customer support for small and medium-sized businesses. The solution integrates with CRM, ERP, and internal business systems, enabling secure and accurate data processing. Its AI agents operate across popular communication channels — from messengers to websites — helping businesses reduce operational costs and improve conversion rates.
Under the traditional StartX model, participation is typically limited to Stanford alumni. However, through the partnership between StartX and Astana Business Campus, startups from Kazakhstan gain access to world-class acceleration, international venture funds, corporate partners, and the broader Silicon Valley entrepreneurial community.
To date, more than 15 Kazakhstani startups have already gone through this initiative, including Cerebra, Defect AI, Arlan Biotech, and others.
As the regional partner of StartX, Astana Business Campus provides participating startups with mentoring, analytical, and organizational support throughout the preparation stage for acceleration, helping build a bridge between Central Asia and the global technology ecosystem.
NU Impact Foundation develops the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem at Nazarbayev University, supporting technology startups, fostering international partnerships, and helping integrate Kazakhstan into the global market.
