FosterBridge, a Korea-based global startup growth platform, will join forces with Qazaq Creative, a digital platform for discovering and connecting startups and individuals in creative industries, according to FosterBridge on Sept. 2.
Qazaq Creative was launched by the Republic of Kazakhstan under its government-financed fund named “Creative Industries Development Fund.”
"We have witnessed startups forging global opportunities not because they lack the expertise or technological prowess, but because they could not find the way,” said Park Jin-hyun, the chairman of the FosterBridge board. “Our goal is to help Kazakhstan startups find that way.”
Based on their agreement, FosterBridge will assist Kazakhstan startups in competing in global conferences and help prepare them for global pitches and exhibitions. In addition, FosterBridge plans to use its global networks to directly introduce startups to partners and investors. Qazaq Creative, for its part, will search for appropriate startups and provide necessary government support.
Fosterbridge has a network spanning more than 50 venture capital firms in 30 countries. Marking FOSTERBRIDGE 2025, the organization’s fast-growing startup showcasing event, in Asia last year, it signed up to become an official partner for Techsauce, the largest startup showcasing platform in Southeast Asia.
Kazakhstan has recently been placing greater emphasis on building its creative industries to move away from its resource-dependent economic structure.
According to studies by the Astana International Financial Centre and other sources, more than 46,000 creative industry startups operate in Kazakhstan, employing around 140,000 people. However, the sector currently accounts for only about 1 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, well below the international average of around 5 percent. The Kazakh government has set a goal of increasing employment in the industry to approximately 180,000 by 2029, while raising the sector’s contribution to GDP to 2 percent.
Yerlan Kanalimov, Chairman of the Board of the Creative Industries Development Fund, said, “Kazakhstan has many companies with strong technologies and innovative ideas, but they have not had enough opportunities to take the international stage.”
“We want to bring the showcase, pitching programs and exhibitions that FosterBridge has operated to Kazakhstan to create opportunities for our companies to connect with Korea and, ultimately, with the global market. Through FosterBridge, we hope to nurture the next generation of Kazakh startups,” he added.
Beyond Central Asia, FosterBridge has also been appointed as an ambassador for Global Startup EXPO 2026, taking place in Osaka, Japan, from Oct. 5 to 7.
The expo is also where FosterBridge will host its 2026 event. Organized jointly by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and local governments including Osaka and Kyoto, the expo is a major international event focused on deep tech. It brings together startups and ecosystems across six key next-generation technology fields, including AI and robotics, biotech and healthcare, quantum technology, aerospace, and next-generation energy, and is emerging as one of the most prominent events in Japan’s startup ecosystem.
jkim@heraldcorp.com
