Lyazzat Borankulova, founder and CEO of Khan Tengri Innovation Hub, stated in a podcast recorded during ICT Week Uzbekistan 2026 that startups from Central Asia should begin studying the Chinese market immediately. She noted that China offers opportunities for hardware development, attracting investment, and international expansion.
Borankulova described Khan Tengri Innovation Hub as the first such platform established in Shanghai with support from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as part of a joint initiative of Central Asian innovation hubs. This hub helps regional startups scale their business in China and is currently operating in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, and Hong Kong.
According to her, the perception of China solely as a manufacturing center is outdated. Over the last decade, the country has significantly strengthened its IT infrastructure and innovation sector. China is now leading in the number of patents in artificial intelligence, electric vehicle production, and humanoid robotics, as well as in industrial adoption of robotics.
State scientific and technical parks in major Chinese cities support foreign startups with company registration and initial funding. Furthermore, they provide access to necessary infrastructure, including cloud services and supercomputer capacity.
Strategies for Entering the Chinese Market
According to Borankulova, the choice of entry point into China should depend on the startup's industry, as the country's economy is structured around specialized industrial clusters. For example, Shanghai focuses on artificial intelligence and robotics, while Shenzhen specializes in drones, telecommunications, and equipment. Hong Kong is better suited for capital attraction and establishing ownership legal structures.
Borankulova presented three models of cooperation with China. The first involves integrating software developed by Central Asian companies with Chinese hardware for export or domestic sale within China. The second model includes developing and manufacturing proprietary equipment in China, from prototyping to mass production. The third option is competing in the Chinese market through a local partner and their sales channels.
It is important to note that products intended for China must be localized, as much of the country's digital ecosystem is closed to foreign services such as Google, WhatsApp, and LinkedIn. Startups working in deep technology have the greatest potential for cooperation and sales. Promising areas include medical technology, new materials, energy, robotics, industrial AI, agritech, and blockchain. Although competition in e-commerce and fintech is high, companies can find niche markets or offer solutions to local businesses under their own brands.
Borankulova strongly urged: 'Start researching the Chinese market right now. Do your homework and put in the effort.' Even if a startup ultimately decides not to enter the Chinese market, visiting China will help understand the business models of local competitors, improve one's own product, and gain a first-mover advantage in the home region.
Accelerator Program
The podcast also covered the hub's two-month accelerator program, which focuses on industrial AI and smart manufacturing. This program combines online preparation with in-person sessions in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Shanghai. During the online training phase, participants analyze the market and competitors, assess their readiness to enter China, and prepare presentations. Meetings with venture capital funds are scheduled in Hong Kong.
The program in Shenzhen will focus on equipment development, working with factories, and intellectual property protection. In Shanghai, participants will work on market entry strategies and business development, and meet with large companies. The program is open to seed-stage and later-stage startups operating in mining, construction, logistics, and other industrial sectors.