Jean-Francois Gauthier came to Kazakhstan from Canada with a mission to help Kazakhstan develop in the field of innovative technologies, start-up projects.

“We are here to help Kazakhstan develop the IT sphere. We can connect Kazakhstan with the United States and Europe, share experiences gained in other countries, and help Kazakhstan develop in the same way as companies from other countries,” said Gauthier.

At the same time, he noted that Kazakhstan already has a great potential in innovative technologies.

“There are many engineering and informational projects that will allow Kazakhstan to flourish in the IT sphere,” said Gauthier.

The well-known entrepreneur, founder and co-owner of Priceline.com, ColorJar and LLC, the Idea Accelerator, Jeff Hoffman, in his turn, noted that over the past five years he has advised startups in Kazakhstan in the IT, renewable energy, education spheres.

“I have been in Kazakhstan before, so this is not my first visit: back then I met with local businessmen, I traveled to Almaty. Communicating with entrepreneurs, I heard many great ideas. And today I am here to continue creating an ecosystem around Kazakhstan’s entrepreneurship,” said Hoffman.

In particular, according to him, work will be continued on further cooperation of Kazakh and American projects in the field of industrial technologies.

In addition, Hoffman outlined the role of the Digital Bridge forum in the further development of this area.

“At the moment I cannot name any specific working projects, which is why the Digital Bridge forum is so important — here we can get acquainted with talented inventors and start-up entrepreneurs,” Hoffman noted.