The Kazakh startup HydroTech, supported by the International Green Technologies and Investment Projects Center (IGTIC), has been ranked among the Top 3 startups at the global finals of the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) and received the international award “Special Recognition: Youth Leadership” at Cleantech Days 2026.
The project was founded by Dana Kadyrbek, representing a new generation of climate entrepreneurs. Despite her young age, she is already presenting innovative solutions on global platforms alongside international experts and high-level government officials.
HydroTech offers an innovative technology for generating drinking water directly from air using solar energy. The solution is designed to enhance water security in regions facing water scarcity and addresses one of the most pressing challenges of climate change.
As part of the official programme, Dana Kadyrbek also spoke at the plenary session
“Securing the Green Transformation: Resilient Technologies and Infrastructure” within the Vienna Energy and Climate Forum, where she presented her project alongside ministers and international experts.
The GCIP 2026 global finals, held in Vienna from April 7 to 10 under the auspices of UNIDO with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), brought together global leaders, investors, and innovators in climate technologies.
In 2026, Kazakhstan was represented at the global finals by three startups — finalists of the national GCIP 2025 competition, selected from 51 projects:
- HydroTech — atmospheric water generation technology
- Forest Hero — a digital platform for forest monitoring and carbon project development
- SpaceLab — a satellite-based early warning system
HydroTech’s achievement in reaching the global Top 3 and receiving international recognition highlights the strong potential of Kazakh innovations and strengthens the country’s position in the field of climate technologies.
Kazakhstan became the first country in Central Asia to join the GCIP initiative in 2022. The participation of national startups in the global finals reflects the country’s contribution to advancing sustainable technologies, decarbonizing the economy, and supporting a just energy transition.
