QazInnovations

What QazInnovations does

QazInnovations (legal name: AO "National Agency for Innovation Development QazInnovations") is a state-owned joint-stock company and the designated national development institution for innovation in Kazakhstan. Originally established in 2011 as the Center of Engineering and Technology Transfer (CEiTT), it was reconstituted as QazInnovations and formally designated in 2022 under Government Resolutions No. 196 (April 8, 2022, Innovation Observatory) and No. 321 (May 20, 2022, national development institute). It operates under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan, headquartered in Astana.

The organization's core product is a portfolio of government-funded innovation grant programs: (1) Innovation Grants for Technology Commercialization (two-stage: Stage 1 up to 20M KZT / 6 months; Stage 2 up to 80M KZT / 18 months with 10% co-financing); (2) Grants for Technological Development of Existing Enterprises (up to 400M KZT over 36 months, covering up to 70% of licensing and 50% of equipment costs); and (3) Business Incubator Support (up to 35M KZT per incubator). These programs are administered through the QazInnovations Portal (portal.qazinn.kz) and integrated with the Astana Hub platform. Underlying technology includes the Innovation Observatory analytical platform — a designated national system for monitoring and forecasting Kazakhstan's innovation system — and a Grant Monitoring System tracking contractual milestones.

QazInnovations does not generate commercial revenue. As a national development institution, it operates as a fiscal pass-through, allocating government budget funds to qualifying SMEs, startups, and enterprises through competitive selection. Applications are free. Cumulative scale through 2021 includes 324 grant contracts totaling over 13.3 billion KZT, supporting 5,000+ jobs and 210 billion KZT in produced output. The organization also coordinates 8 Sectoral Centers of Technological Competence across priority sectors and holds international cooperation agreements with the Skolkovo Foundation, Armenia's National Center for Innovation, and Russian innovation institutions.

Name

QazInnovations

Legal name

AO "Nacionalnoe agentstvo po razvitiyu innovacij "QazInnovations"

Website

https://qazinn.kz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

QazInnovations is Kazakhstan's state-owned national development institution for innovation, administering government-funded grant programs (up to 400M KZT) for technology commercialization, enterprise modernization, and business incubation, while operating the national Innovation Observatory and coordinating 8 sectoral competence centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Innovation Development and Grant Programs

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

akta.pro primary industry

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Results-Based Financing (RBF) & Performance-Based Grants (BPADAOAF)

Keywords

• Innovation grant programs
• Technology commercialization
• Government development institution
• Business incubator support
• Innovation observatory analytics

Headquarters

HQ city

Astana

HQ country

Kazakhstan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Innovation Grant Provision (Government Funded): As a national development institution, QazInnovations does not generate commercial revenue. The agency administers government budget funds allocated for innovation grants distributed to qualifying SMEs, startups, and enterprises through competitive selection processes. Grant programs include technology commercialization (Stage 1 up to 20M KZT, Stage 2 up to 80M KZT) and technological development of existing enterprises (up to 400M KZT). Revenue model is fully government funded — no direct revenue from beneficiaries as grant applications are free.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

QazInnovations is a national development institution that administers government-funded innovation grants and provides analytical services for Kazakhstan's national innovation system. It offers technology commercialization grants in two stages (up to 100 million KZT total), technological development grants for existing enterprises (up to 400 million KZT), business incubator support (up to 35 million KZT), and serves as the designated Innovation Observatory providing analytics, monitoring, and expert recommendations to government bodies.

Product overview

QazInnovations operates as a national innovation development institution offering a multi-product portfolio of grant programs and support services. The core offerings include Innovation Grants for Technology Commercialization (two-stage program up to 100 million tenge total), Grants for Technological Development of Existing Enterprises (up to 400 million tenge), Business Incubator Support (up to 35 million tenge), and an Innovation Observatory for national innovation system analytics. The organization also operates a dedicated Portal (portal.qazinn.kz) for application management. As a government-backed development institution under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, QazInnovations functions as both a grant operator and analytical think tank for Kazakhstan's innovation ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Innovation Grants for Technology Commercialization Government program providing financial support for technology commercialization projects in two stages: Stage 1 (product refinement and commercialization strategy) up to 20 million tenge with 6-month implementation; Stage 2 (production launch and market commercialization) up to 80 million tenge with 18-month implementation, requiring 10% co-financing from applicants. Targeted at Kazakhstani SMEs and startups that have completed an incubation or acceleration program.
• Grants for Technological Development of Existing Enterprises Grant program for operating enterprises with at least 3 years of commercial activity seeking to implement innovative technologies, results of scientific and technical activities, and technology transfer. Funding up to 400 million tenge over 36 months, covering up to 70% of license agreement costs and 50% of equipment/component acquisition for priority technology areas.
• Business Incubator Support Financial support program for business incubators providing funding up to 35 million tenge, covering rent, staff salaries, marketing, travel, and third-party services such as speakers, mentors, and trackers. Recipients must deliver 2 incubation or acceleration programs, 30 business projects, 50 hours of master classes, 150 hours of consultations, and 100 hours of individual consultations.
• Innovation Observatory Independent analytical service designated by Government Decree No.196 (April 8, 2022) to monitor and analyze Kazakhstan's national innovation system effectiveness, maintain innovation databases, and develop recommendations for innovation system development. Engages with 8 Sectoral Centers of Technological Competence across electronics, healthcare, Industry 4.0, agriculture, energy, oil and gas, and green technologies. Provides expert opinions to government bodies on innovation activities.
• Grants for Technological Development of Industries Grant program for industry-wide technological development initiatives providing support for sectoral technology priorities as defined by authorized government bodies. Targeted at coordinated industry-level technology advancement across Kazakhstan's priority sectors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 324 innovation grant contracts totaling over 13.3 billion tenge (2011-2021)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Национальная ассоциация трансфера технологий (Россия)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2023Agreement signed at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2023 for cooperation in technology transfer between Kazakhstan and Russia.
• Ассоциация Быстрорастущих технологических компаний (национальных чемпионов) (Россия)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2023Agreement signed at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2023 with the Russian Association of Fast-Growing Technology Companies (National Champions) for sharing experience in supporting technology champions.
• Негосударственный институт развития Иннопрактика (Россия)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2023Cooperation agreement signed at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2023 with Innopraktika for collaboration in innovation development.
• Ассоциация университетских бизнес-инкубаторов и акселераторов (AUBIAK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2023QazInnovations works closely with AUBIAK to conduct competitive selection for business incubators, share methodology and experience in conducting incubation and acceleration programs.
• AlmaU (Алматы Менеджмент Университет)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration with AlmaU for acceleration of scientific projects and participation in the Industry Advisory Board Forum. AlmaU's Center for Technology Commercialization organizes joint events with QazInnovations.
• РПП АтамекенcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2022Trilateral memorandum signed between RPP Atameken, the Digital Technologies Department, and QazInnovations to promote innovation grants and business incubator programs through the national chamber of commerce.
• АО Фонд наукиcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 August 2022Memorandum of mutual understanding and cooperation signed between QazInnovations and the Science Fund of Kazakhstan on August 24, 2022.
• Фонд Сколково (Skolkovo Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2022Memorandum of cooperation signed on February 3, 2022 between QazInnovations and the Skolkovo Foundation for collaboration in innovation development between Kazakhstan and Russia.
• ТОО Azimut Solutions and ТОО Astana IT UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022QazInnovations coordinates 8 Sectoral Centers of Technological Competence (ОЦТК). Two centers operate in the electronic industry sector on the basis of Azimut Solutions and Astana IT University.
• РГП на ПХВ Национальный научный центр развития здравоохранения имени Салидат КаирбековойcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022ОЦТК in the healthcare sector operates on the basis of this national healthcare research center. QazInnovations coordinates all 8 ОЦТК as part of the national innovation system.
• АО КЦИЭ QazIndustrycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022ОЦТК in the Industry 4.0 sector operates on the basis of QazIndustry (Kazakhstan Center for Industrial Expertise).
• НАО Национальный аграрный научно-образовательный центрcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022ОЦТК in the agro-industrial complex sector operates on the basis of the National Agrarian Scientific Educational Center.
• РГП на ПХВ Институт ядерной физикиcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022ОЦТК in the alternative and atomic energy sector and technologies operates on the basis of the Institute of Nuclear Physics.
• НАО Атырауский университет нефти и газа имени Сафи УтебаеваcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022ОЦТК in the oil and gas sector operates on the basis of Atyrau University of Oil and Gas.
• АО Казахстанский оператор рынка электрической энергии и мощностиcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022ОЦТК in the electric power sector operates on the basis of the Kazakhstan Electricity Market Operator.
• НАО Международный центр зеленых технологий и инвестиционных проектовcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022ОЦТК in the commercialization of green technologies operates on the basis of the International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects.
• ГНКО Национальный центр инноваций и предпринимательства Республики АрменияcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Memorandum of cooperation and mutual understanding signed between QazInnovations and the National Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Armenia.
• ИТ-Парк г. Якутска и Фонд развития инноваций Республики Саха (Якутия)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Memoranda signed during a trilateral meeting between QazInnovations, IT Park Yakutsk, and the Innovation Development Fund of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) for cross-border innovation collaboration.
• Директор Департамента по международным отношениям Грузинского агентства по инновации и технологииminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Meeting held with the Director of the International Relations Department of the Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency to explore cooperation opportunities.
• Центр предпринимательства QoldauminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Meeting and collaboration discussion with the Qoldau Entrepreneurship Center.
• Международный банк реконструкции и развития (МБРР)coreOthers · 1 January 2022The Innovation Observatory was created under the 'Productive Innovation Stimulation' project, implemented under the Loan Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development No.8463-KZ dated June 9, 2015.
• Министерство науки и высшего образования Республики КазахстанcoreOthers · 1 January 2021QazInnovations operates with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan for grant competitions and the national survey on innovation activity. Previously also supported by the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Innopraktika: Russian non-state institute for innovation development supporting technology transfer and entrepreneurship. Peer to QazInnovations as a national-level innovation platform; both signed a cooperation agreement at SPIEF 2023.
• Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE): Russian state grantmaking foundation providing early-stage innovation financing to SMEs and startups. Directly comparable as a national government grant operator with structured commercialization grant programs similar to QazInnovations' Stage 1/Stage 2 pathways.
• National Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship of Armenia (NCIE): Armenia's national innovation and entrepreneurship development institution. Direct peer role as a CIS state-affiliated innovation agency; signed a memorandum of cooperation with QazInnovations in 2022.
• Astana Hub: Kazakhstan's international technopark and startup ecosystem platform based in Astana, through which QazInnovations' grant applications are actually submitted. Operates as a peer node in the same national innovation system with overlapping startup and investor service mandates.
• Skolkovo Foundation: Russia's flagship national innovation development institution and technopark operator. Directly comparable as a state-mandated innovation agency administering grants, incubators, and technology platforms; QazInnovations signed a cooperation memorandum with Skolkovo in 2022.
• IT Park Yakutsk: Russian regional IT park and innovation development institution in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). Comparable as a government-affiliated technology park and innovation intermediary; participated in a trilateral memorandum with QazInnovations in 2022.
• Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA): Georgian government agency for innovation and technology development. Direct peer in the CIS innovation-agency landscape; QazInnovations held a meeting with GITA's international relations department to explore cooperation, indicating recognized peer equivalence.

Broad incumbents

• Business Finland: Finnish government organization for innovation funding, trade, travel, and investment promotion. Comparable as a consolidated national innovation funding agency offering grants, incubator support, and internationalization services for SMEs and startups.
• Innovate UK: United Kingdom's national innovation agency funding business-led R&D and innovation. Comparable as a mature government innovation funding body with grant programs, commercialization support, and sectoral competence networks; useful benchmark for institutional design.
• Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI, Russia): Russian presidential autonomous non-profit organization promoting socio-economic initiatives, including innovation and SME support. Broad incumbent peer operating across multiple innovation-adjacent policy areas comparable to QazInnovations' mandate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qazinnovation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about QazInnovations