1st Angel Club Launches in Kazakhstan — a Club for First Angels Investing at the Earliest Stages

Activat VC is launching 1st Angel Club — a new initiative to support startups at the very earliest stages, when founders already have their first results but do not yet fully meet the criteria of venture funds. It is a club for those who want to be not just investors, but the first to believe.

Unlike the existing models in Kazakhstan, where business angels often invest alongside venture funds or even after them — and at already high valuations ($5 million+) — 1st Angel Club focuses on pre-seed rounds with valuations of up to $2 million. This is exactly the point where startups need not only money, but also support, mentorship, and a community.

“As a fund, we receive many strong applications, but at the early stage we cannot back them because of our investment strategy and our obligations to LPs. At the same time, we see the potential. That is why we decided to launch the club — so that we, as an ecosystem, don’t miss out on teams like these,” says Meirzhan Yessimkhanov, Executive Director of Activat VC.

1st Angel Club is not just about getting in “before everyone else.” It is about investing in the future: in founders who are just taking their first steps but could grow into international companies. It is a step toward building a mature institution of angel investing in the region. We want a new stage to emerge — the angel stage round.

The launch of the club will become an entry point not only for new angels, but also for building a pool of strong projects that can later enter the pipeline of venture funds. The angels’ investments, experience, and involvement will help startups get through their first challenges and prepare for the next round.

Private Opening

To mark the launch, the club will hold a private opening event for invited investors, active founders, and venture market players. The meeting will present the club’s approach, its first deals, and the opportunities to participate.

Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/4/d/1QSEIFf-_uCxp_8CWBuKtMc7vLus3r33fJGzpRebMtS8/edit