Mirai Tech, a startup developed by researchers at Nazarbayev University, has been recognized among the top three finalists in the Sports category of the WIPO Global Awards 2026. This marks the first time a startup from Kazakhstan has reached the final three of the prestigious competition organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations.
This year, innovators from 126 countries competed for the award. In the Sports category, Mirai Tech was selected among the top three projects alongside finalists from Switzerland and the United States.
The company has developed smart insoles designed for professional athletes. The technology continuously tracks movement patterns, physical load, and early signs of fatigue, providing real-time insights that help identify injury risks before symptoms become apparent.
Mirai Tech was founded by Gulnur Kalimuldina, Assistant Professor at Nazarbayev University, together with a team of researchers from the School of Engineering and Digital Sciences.
NU Impact Foundation has supported the startup from its early stages of development. The international recognition of Mirai Tech highlights the global potential of research and innovation emerging from Nazarbayev University and Kazakhstan’s growing deep-tech ecosystem.