LocationsCreative Industries Demo Day in Mangystau: 15 promising business projects
October 15, 2024
Winners of the programme to develop entrepreneurial skills and accelerate creative startups for youth in Mangystau region.
On October 12, the Creative Industries Demo Day was conducted at the Yessenov University in Aktau, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Akimat of Mangystau region. During the event, 15 creative projects from Aktau, Beineu, and Zhanaozen, developed by participants of the programme to develop entrepreneurial skills and accelerate creative startups for youth in Mangystau, were presented to potential investors and the expert community.
The programme on entrepreneurial skills is implemented as part of a regional UNDP initiative funded by the Government of Japan and aimed at promoting resilient communities to prevent violent extremism in Central Asia.
The programme has become a real catalyst for the implementation of creative ideas, as emphasized by Deputy Akim of the Mangystau region, Abbat Urisbayev, in his opening remarks:
"Support from UNDP in developing the youth of our region is of great importance. Mangystau has a large share of youth in its population, and they have immense potential. I am confident that such projects will help unlock their potential and create new opportunities."
Deputy Akim of Mangystau Region, Abbat Urisbayev, delivering opening remarks.
The projects presented to the jury and expert community covered various creative industries, including crafts, music, marketing, content production, design, and architecture. Participants showcased innovative solutions targeting both local and international markets. Each project was evaluated by an expert jury, which included representatives from business and public organizations.
First place and a prize of 500,000 tenge for project implementation were awarded to Kamshat Nurgali from Zhanaozen for her project on producing handmade tufted rugs. Second place went to Madina and Zhuldyz Kosmagambetova from Aktau for their project on producing designer clothing in a national style. The third place was shared by Aslanbek Sarsengaliev from Beineu with his project to create a pottery school and Zarina Bayangalieva from Aktau with her project on producing designer wallpapers with Kazakh national ornaments.
Programme participants and guests.
The presentations sparked significant interest among investors, opening up prospects for further growth in creative entrepreneurship in the region. Based on the results of the Demo Day, two projects—Shynar Ermekbayeva's project on marketing courses for aspiring entrepreneurs and Aykorkem Kozybay's project to create a digital art studio—won funding for implementation from investors in the expert jury.
“We are pleased to see that the programme generated such a strong interest among the youth of the Mangystau region. I am delighted to see these 15 wonderful projects today, each developed by the participants of our training sessions. I hope that all your projects will not only attract funding but also be implemented in practice, scaled up, and create new jobs and opportunities for the region,”said UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan, Katarzyna Wawiernia.
UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan, Katarzyna Wawiernia, delivering an opening speech.
This Demo Day culminated the training programme aimed at developing entrepreneurial skills and accelerating startups in creative industries among the youth of the Mangystau region. By the end of the year, the trackers will continue working with participants to refine and improve their projects, helping them launch their initiatives.
