On November 21, 2025 the 3rd startup festival “KNU Innofest-2025” was held at Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn, organized by the university’s Investment Department. The event served as a key platform for presenting students’ innovative ideas and developing an entrepreneurial culture at the university.
Innovation and Partnership Projects Fair
The festival began with an innovation and partnership projects fair held in the hall of the main building. The fair featured student projects, as well as stands from partners and sponsors: KICB CJSC, Salym Finance OJSC, Abdysh-Ata LLC, and Salikh LLC, which organized tastings and presentations of their products.
Musical accompaniment and performances were provided by the Department of Youth Policy and Sports of KNU, creating an atmosphere of creativity and innovation.
Official Opening
The official part of the festival began at 1:00 PM. Gulbara Bekturganovna Sydykova, Vice-Rector for Investments at KNU, delivered a welcoming speech, emphasizing the importance of supporting student initiatives and developing the university’s innovation ecosystem.
The Rector of KNU named after J. Balasagyn wished all teams success, inspiration, and the implementation of their projects, noting the importance of startup culture for developing competitive specialists.
Jury Work
The participants’ projects were presented to a professional jury consisting of representatives from government agencies, the banking sector, investment funds, and the business community:
- Gulbara Bekturganovna Sydykova, Vice-Rector for Investments at KNU (Chairperson);
- Astra Damirbekovna, Head of the Branch Relations Department, KICB CJSC;
- Timur Zamirbekovich Abylayev, Head of the Investment Attraction Department, National Agency under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic;
- Roman Vladimirovich Polishev, Deputy General Director of Central Asia Capital;
- Akbar Abdulmadzhidovich Aysakhodzhiev, Head of the System and Network Administration Department, Salym Finance OJSC;
- Ruslan Sergeyevich Gaidarov, Marketing Director, La La Fo;
- Beksultan Andyevich Adaev, Leading Specialist, Innovation Department, Ministry of Science, Higher Education, and Innovation of the Kyrgyz Republic;
- Aidai Kenzhebekovna Kuramaeva, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports, and Youth Policy.
The organizers expressed their gratitude to the jury members for their high professionalism, objectivity, and attentive approach to the projects.
Thanks to the partners
Special thanks were extended to KICB CJSC, the festival’s main sponsor, for ensuring the event was held at a high level.
The organizers also acknowledged the contributions of their partners: Central Asia Capital, La La Fo, and Salym Finance OJSC, who provided expert advice, support to participants, and valuable prizes.
Winners of the KNU Innofest-2025 Festival
Following the results of the competition, the winners were determined:
Grand Prize — 50,000 soms
Project: “Tez Jumush”
Law Institute
Manager: N. O. Grivtsov
Team: D. Toktaliev, A. Zhyrgalbekova, Zh. Kulmukhambetova
1st place — 40,000 soms
Project: “Ecospine”
Faculty of International Relations and Oriental Studies
Team: E. Orozalieva, M. Zhumabaeva, Ya. Kravtsova
2nd place — 30,000 soms
Project: “Freedom Within”
Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities, Department of Psychology
Manager: A. R. Saparova
Team: B. Ismanalieva
3rd place — 25,000 soms
Project: “Nomad Garden”
ICT and artificial intelligence
Head: Nikita G. O.
Team: Anarbekov A., Sovetbekova A., Toktogulova A.
4th place — 20,000 soms
Project: “Bioplastic – an alternative”
Faculty of Biology
Head: Myrzabekova U. D.
Team: Bekbosunov B., Almazbekova A., Damirbek kyzy A., Omurkulova M.
5th place — 20,000 soms
Project: “Production of greenhouse substrates from sheep wool”
Naryn branch
Head: Tynybekova A.
Team: Madiev S.
6th place — 15,000 soms
Project: “Zhashyl economy – Shypaa nan”
Talas branch
Head: Sadyrbaeva Ch.
Team: Stambek kyzy A., Akmatbek kyzy A.
The results of the 3rd KNU Innofest-2025 startup festival demonstrated the high level of preparation of the participants and became a significant platform for the development of youth innovation. The event demonstrated the potential of KNU students and confirmed the importance of integrating science, education, and entrepreneurship.
(c) Zhyldyz Suymonova – Head of the Investment Department, KNU
