On March 26, 2025, the student startup competition «Venture Quest» concluded at the Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn. The competition was organized as part of the incubation program for KNU students. The program was implemented with the support of sponsors from the Kyrgyz Republic-Japan Center for Human Development (KRJC).
«The Vice Rector for Investments, Gulbara Sydykova, in her speech emphasized that business startups provide our students with excellent opportunities to implement their ideas and develop business projects. She also wished good luck to the competition participants, introduced the jury to the contestants, and officially opened the competition.»
«After that, the floor was given to each member of the jury. They wished the competition participants good luck and added their recommendations and well-wishes, supporting the participants in their efforts to implement their ideas.»
From October 11 to November 29, 2024, a series of lectures on creating student startups and attracting investments took place. As part of the «Venture Quest» program, participants learned how to create successful startups and develop business plans focused on the commercialization of scientific and technical ideas.
After the completion of the lecture series, an application process was announced for participation in the competition. KNU students could submit applications either individually or in groups (up to 5 people). The projects had to be based on scientific and technical research and have the potential for commercialization.
To participate in the competition, students were required to prepare a detailed business plan, which included:
- Company name
- Corporate philosophy
- 4К
- Positioning (X-Y)
- Value
- SWOT- analysis
- Strategy
- Marketing (4Ps, customers and distribution channels)
- Critical Success Factors (CSF)
- Organizational structure
- Strategic partners
- Business model
- Forecasts and assumptions
- Financial assessment
A meeting of the commission for the selection of the best student startup projects was held on January 21-22, 2025. The commission included: Vice-Rector for Investments Gulbara Sydykova, and Co-Director of the Kyrgyz Republic-Japan Center for Human Development (KRJC) from the Kyrgyz side — Almazbek Azimov, Director of the Business Department of the Kyrgyz Republic-Japan Center for Human Development (KRJC) — Shinya Tanaka, representative of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development — Elaman Saralaev and representative of the investment company AV Frontiers — Farkhad Abdyrakhmanov.
Out of the 35 submitted projects, 15 were selected to refine their presentations in collaboration with the lecturer Adkham Ubaidullaev. Following the revisions, from February 18 to 20, 7 teams were chosen to advance to the final of the competition.
The final presentation of the projects took place on March 26, 2025. Based on the results of the competition, the winners were determined:
- 1 place — Team «Embroidery» (prize 30 thousand soms and certificates for training «Business Start» from KRJC)
- 2 place — «Heritage of Nature» team (prize of 25 thousand soms and certificates for training «Business Start» from KRJC)
- 3 place — Team «Go Sayakat» (prize 15 thousand soms and certificates for training «Business Start» from KRJC)
In addition, KRJC provided certificates for free training «Business Start» for the best and most active participants. Special prizes from Bakai Bank were also awarded to active participants of the competition, including backpacks, hoodies, notebooks, mugs and calendars.
The «Venture Quest» competition became a unique platform for KNU students who were able not only to demonstrate their innovative ideas, but also to gain valuable knowledge for their successful implementation. We thank all the participants and also express our gratitude to our sponsors — KRJC and Bakai Bank — for their support and contribution to the development of entrepreneurial initiatives among students.
(С) Makhabat Alymbekova — Chief specialist in startups and fundraising
The author’s style and grammar have been preserved.
