BGlobal Ventures Launches a Series of Workshops on Venture Investment in the Regions

BGlobal Ventures, in collaboration with the international investment holding Raison, Astana Venture Club, and Astana Hub, launched a series of educational workshops on venture investments in the regions. The first events were held in Atyrau and Aktau at regional hubs. Why is there a need for such educational meetings, and how did the audience respond? Learn more in this article.

The Idea

According to Abay Absamet, CEO of BGlobal Ventures, a trend has emerged in Kazakhstan where most investment activity is concentrated in Astana and Almaty, while the regions are left behind. Part of the reason is that regional entrepreneurs are not familiar with venture capital and prefer more traditional investment tools like the stock market or real estate.

“To create an information balance between the regions, we decided to conduct a series of educational programs, starting with Aktau and Atyrau. Our goal is to introduce the audience to venture capital, its opportunities and risks, while providing both theoretical knowledge and real-world cases,” explained Abay Absamet.

The first events generated great interest, with about 30 people attending in each city, including potential and current investors, entrepreneurs, startup founders, and business leaders.

“Atyrau and Aktau were chosen for the venture investment seminars due to their strategic location, developed infrastructure, and access to resources. These cities, located in the heart of the oil and gas industry, have many companies interested in diversifying their businesses, making the topic of venture investments particularly relevant,” explained Nurasyl Zharbasov, founder and head of Astana Venture Club.

What Did the Speakers Talk About?

During the workshops, the speakers covered all aspects of venture investment: they spoke about the prospects for this field in Kazakhstan, the current state of the market, new opportunities for investors, as well as potential risks. Special attention to the last point was given by Raison holding co-founder Andrey Berezin.

“Venture investments carry high risks but also great opportunities for profit. Before becoming a business angel, it’s crucial to thoroughly analyze the potential of startups and their readiness for growth. We have our own evaluation criteria that help us understand which projects truly have a bright future,” the speaker explained.

Trends in Venture Investment

The audience also showed great interest in trends in venture investment.

“In 2024–2025, we see several key trends that will shape the further development of venture investment. First of all, artificial intelligence. Some startups use AI technologies for process automation, while others create new products based on neural networks. Another relevant area is green technologies (biotechnology, digital healthcare, fintech, cybersecurity, and information protection technologies). Sustainable development and climate change are becoming important topics for everyone, and companies offering innovative solutions in this area stand out,” noted Andrey Berezin.

With the increase in digitalization, companies offering innovative solutions in this field have become crucial for both large corporations and government institutions, he added.

However, the expert emphasized to the audience that “chasing trends” is not always the right decision. For novice investors, it’s important to develop their own vision based on long-term prospects and real data about the startup, rather than simply following temporary waves of popularity.

Feedback

According to Nurasyl Zharbasov, founder and head of Astana Venture Club, the active involvement of workshop participants in the discussions confirmed the need for such events.

The attendees were interested in the practical aspects of venture investing, funding strategies, successful cases, and challenges that a potential business angel might face.

“Many entrepreneurs noted that the seminars became their first step towards learning about venture investments and expressed a desire to continue their education. This is a great indicator that there is not only a lively interest in this topic in the regions but also a real demand for such knowledge,” said Nurasyl Zharbasov.

What’s Next?

This initiative is the first point of contact with the world of venture investment, according to Abay Absamet.

“This way, people can learn firsthand about this field and determine for themselves how attractive it is as an investment tool. If a person shows interest, we offer them the next step — to join business angel communities to immerse themselves in the environment of like-minded individuals and begin searching for startups,” added the head of BGlobal Ventures.

As a fundamental knowledge base, BGlobal Ventures, together with partners Silkroad Innovation Hub and Eurasian Business School, offers a course on venture investments with expertise and cases from Silicon Valley. The first cohort took place in July, the second started in October, and the final one will be held in November this year. All programs are available on our website.

According to Nurasyl Zharbasov, after the series of seminars, new opportunities in venture investments will open up in Kazakhstan:

“We aim to create an ecosystem where startups can access funding and mentorship, and investors can find attractive projects for investment. It is important for us to build a sustainable community ready to support and develop innovative ideas. This will be an important step in strengthening Kazakhstan’s economy, creating new jobs, and increasing the country's competitiveness on the international stage.

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