Innovation at the Transformers Roadshow in Kazakhstan

The winners of the first-ever Transformers Roadshow at the Astana Islamic Economy Forum in Kazakhstan have been announced. The Transformers platform acknowledges the crucial need to give people the tools to build a sustainable future and is supported by Transform, a US$500 million fund for innovation and technology.

Organised by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and hosted by the Astana International Finance Center (AIFC), the science, technology and innovation competition invites innovators to pitch concepts supporting one or more of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Winners receive US$3,000 to further develop their ideas.

Speaking at the launch of the Roadshow, President of the IsDB, Dr Bandar Hajjar said: “With Kazkahstan emerging as a growing Islamic finance market, we are delighted to be launching the first leg of our roadshow here with the AIFC’s support. An extension of the IsDB’s Transform Fund, it helps us to identify innovators who are seeking funding, business partners and advice for their unique ideas.”

Over 150 entrepreneurs across the Central Asia region entered the competition, and finalists were invited to participate in a series of masterclasses, seminars and workshops ahead of pitching. The winners of the Transformers Roadshow are:

- Z. Kerimkulov and N. Shodorova's  Egistic project, which focuses on the creation of a geo information and analytical system to support farmers and decision-makers in the development of the agricultural sector in Kazakhstan.

- R. Rakymbay, A. Taukenov and S. Satayev's project on smart farming, which aims to create a sustainable and technologically-driven solution to address farming challenges and ensure that a wide variety of plants are grown using accurate, live and digitally-driven data.

- K. Tuleishin pitched a venture on smart halal finance, which will aim to make its impact on reaching the UN sustainable development goals particularly in the area of quality education.

The initiative follows the IsDB’s recently launched Engage platform - an online ecosystem for innovators seeking market opportunities.