The Central Asia+ Accelerator is a private sector development programme designed to support innovative digital startups and SMEs in scaling up and attracting investment to boost digital service exports. Delivered by GUIDE, an affiliated and independent entity of Gobi Partners, the Accelerator equips selected startups with tailored mentorship and expert-led training on internationalization strategies, market entry, and investor engagement.
This initiative is part of the broader “Boosting Exports through Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Central Asia” project, jointly implemented by the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), with funding from ITFC’s Trade Connect Central Asia+ (TCCA+) programme.
The Central Asia+ Accelerator Programme is open to 14 selected early-growth stage startups and SME entrepreneurs based in Central Asia — including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan — who are running digital or technology-enabled businesses and are looking to:
Through this 3-month accelerator programme, you will gain valuable resources to help you scale, including:
Gain Access to Valuable Market Nuances and Capital Insights
Familiarising and priming yourself for the fundraising process that aligns with the investment requirements and style of East Asia and Southeast Asia venture capital firms and investment networks.
Build and Seed Relationship for Future Market Expansion
Develop and formulate a go-to-market strategy with the inputs of operators on the ground across different markets in Asia (East Asia and Southeast Asia) from a bottom-up perspective.
Leverage Our Network & Expertise Across Asia
With decades of economic development experience connecting corporations, government agencies, innovative enterprises, and universities, we are all hands on deck to support your needs to discover new opportunities, navigate them, and grow them with you.
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Over the course of this 3-month learning and development journey, as an early-growth stage entrepreneur, you will take part in a series of hybrid action-based learning experience with us—including in-person bootcamps and working sessions with instructors—supported by industry experts and experienced mentors remotely.
These will be complemented by online panel discussions, workshops, and regular check-ins with the programme team. By the end of the programme, you will be equipped to formulate a clear expansion strategy for exporting your digital services and products beyond your local markets, and to assess your own needs and readiness for growth capital.
PROGRAMME DATES: 14-15 AUGUST 2025
LOCATION: SABAH.HUB Innovation Center, Baku
The programme kickstarts with a 2-day in-person bootcamp helps founders strengthen their communication, preparation, and planning for investment. You’ll explore key risk frameworks, learn to articulate your enterprise value, and engage in live practice sessions with investors to build clarity and momentum for your next growth phase.
Lead Instructor, Program Director for Central Asia+ Accelerator
Neil is a seasoned startup operator who transitioned into entrepreneurial development programmes, venture education, and community building—accumulating nearly 10 years of experience supporting entrepreneurship growth and bridging operational knowledge and network gaps across Southeast Asia. As the Founding Managing Director of GUIDE, he oversees learning experience design and materials development across all venture programmes and ecosystem initiatives led by GUIDE and its partners.
Neil has served as a mentor and judge for several innovation programmes, including Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund initiative—the Khazanah Innovation Impact Challenge—for which he led the design of the inaugural programme in 2021. He is also the founder of a regionally based venture studio and one of the creators of the Chief of Staff School. Previously, Neil founded a boutique digital marketing agency and held turnaround leadership roles in two local startups before joining the global entrepreneurial network Endeavor, and subsequently establishing GUIDE.
Co-instructor
A startup operator. Alvin led the finance and strategy function in his previous tenure in GoQuo - B2B travel-tech venture-backed startup GoQuo (backed by Gobi Partners and Monk’s Hill Ventures) and engineered an exit for the shareholders.
He spent his early working career with KPMG and PwC in Assurance services involving in various business industries such as hospitality and casino gaming, manufacturing, FMCG and oil and gas clients. Experienced in consumer travel industry, Alvin spent 4 years with Tune Hotels, heading the finance operations before joining GoQuo.
Alvin co-founded SEA-based venture studio Ignition Chamber Academy with Neil in nurturing new startups. He also serves as director and advisor of several companies in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UK. At GUIDE, Alvin leads the venture advisory unit where he bridges business needs with specialised services for venture growth continuity.
This section outlines our eligibility criteria, nomination requirements, and important timeline related to the programme.
The Central Asia+ Accelerator is a private sector development programme designed to support innovative digital startups and SMEs in scaling up and attracting investment to boost digital service exports. Delivered by GUIDE, an affiliated and independent entity of Gobi Partners, the Accelerator equips selected startups with tailored mentorship and expert-led training on internationalization strategies, market entry, and investor engagement. This initiative is part of the broader “Boosting Exports through Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Central Asia” project, jointly implemented by the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), with funding from ITFC’s Trade Connect Central Asia+ (TCCA+) programme.
To be considered, applicants must have:
Our evaluation focuses on key areas that balance the entrepreneur’s potential with their development needs—aiming to enhance their chances of securing synergistic funding and achieving market expansion that aligns with their products and services. We are also committed to inclusive entrepreneurship, valuing diverse backgrounds, sectors, and perspectives that contribute to a more resilient and equitable innovation and digital ecosystem in Central Asia region, as well as Azerbaijan.
Qualitative and Quantitative Aspects
Additional Factors Influencing Final Selection
The programme is offered free of charge to eligible companies and entrepreneurs as part of the Trade Connect Central Asia+ (TCCA+) initiative—a joint effort by ITFC and the United Nations ESCAP to enhance trade and investment opportunities in Central Asia.
14 companies will be selected by the Selection Committee, which comprises representatives from ITFC, United Nations ESCAP, and GUIDE. One entrepreneur slot will be allocated to each of the selected companies.
Application, Nomination, Screening, and Selection Process
All interested and eligible entrepreneurs are welcome to apply to the Central Asia+ Accelerator Programme.
Applicants are required to submit all necessary information and supporting documents, along with two recommendation or nominations. Nominations are mandatory and must not come from related parties (e.g., co-founders, family members, or employees). Only applications with two valid recommendations will be considered complete and eligible for review.
Key Dates
The Programme Admission Team will notify you upon receiving a complete application, including both nominations. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted for an online interview. Successful applicants will then receive an official offer to join the Central Asia+ Accelerator Programme.
Please note that incomplete applications, those lacking nominations, or those with poor-quality supporting documents will not be considered.
The multi-stages process flow:
All official communications related to your application, shortlisting, and participation in the programme will be conducted exclusively through our official email: program@guide.works. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.
Please ensure you check this email address regularly for updates, requests for additional information, and important notifications. We strongly advise applicants to whitelist this address or check your spam/junk folders to avoid missing any critical communications. Any communication from other channels or unofficial emails should be disregarded unless otherwise stated on our official website or by a verified team member.
Each company can only submit one application, so it’s important to choose the founder or representative who knows the business best to go through this application process.
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