Pizza Pitch in the IT Hub of the East Kazakhstan Region: the Second Day of the Startup Project Defense
On May 6, 2025, the second day of the final presentation of startups by students of the 10th specialized business class of the Kazakh-American Free University was held in the IT hub of the East Kazakhstan region. The event was held in the Pizza Pitch format – this is an excellent platform for presenting MVPs (minimum viable products), exchanging ideas and receiving high-quality feedback from industry experts.
The following people delivered a welcoming speech before the start of the competition:
- Natalia A. Nesterenko – Advisor to the Rector of the Kazakh-American Free University;
- Gulmira K. Abyurova – Director of the “Ybyrai Altynsarin Secondary School No. 39” of the Ust-Kamenogorsk city education department of the East Kazakhstan region education department.
Over the course of a year, the participants completed the course “Entrepreneurship and Business.” They developed business models, created marketing strategies, conducted market analysis, and formed financial plans. The final defense was a real celebration of creativity, teamwork, and startup culture.
A total of 27 projects were presented – a record number in the history of the program. The ideas covered a variety of areas: services, catering, design and prototyping, agribusiness, education, tourism, floristry, upcycling, and even technologies for lucid dreaming.
TOP-3 winners:
- Assanali Aldabergenov – the concept of the watch store “12:34”, based on the idea of unique positioning and niche branding.
- Alina Borissenko – art cafe “Latte&Light”, combining elements of the creative economy and the hospitality industry.
- Yasmina Kussainova – creative center “Skrepka”, an educational project with the potential for scaling.
The jury paid special attention to the eco-products and upcycling workshop “Rezi” by Amina Abyurova, which received high praise from the head of the regional IT-HUB Didar Muratuly as an example of social entrepreneurship with an environmental focus.
The expert jury:
- Natalia A. Nesterenko;
- Arailym E. Kaliyeva;
- Yevgeniya E. Sumareva.
Throughout the year, the participants were accompanied by Dinara S. Mamyrbekova, a business mentor and a facilitator.
The event was held with the support of OSKEMEN IT-HUB, headed by Didar Muratuly, and became a significant element in the development of youth entrepreneurship in the region.
We congratulate all participants on their successful defense! These young leaders are already shaping the future of the business environment in East Kazakhstan.
