The AlmaU Institute of Entrepreneurship has officially announced the launch of student project preparations for the Babson Global Student Challenge (BGSC) 2026. The new cohort was launched on February 9, 2026, marking the start of intensive work on innovative ideas by university students.
Babson Global Student Challenge is a global platform for proactive students from universities within the Babson Collaborative network. The competition brings together students from around the world who aim to provide entrepreneurial solutions to pressing global challenges and contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
AlmaU participated in BGSC for the first time in 2019. Since then, the competition has become one of the key events in the university’s academic calendar and an important part of developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Key figures for 2019-2025:
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581 AlmaU students participated in BGSC
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168 innovative projects were developed and presented
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Main focus areas: medicine, ecology, education, financial literacy, safety, clothing design, and e-commerce
These results demonstrate high student engagement and systematic efforts to develop entrepreneurial thinking.
Over the next month, 25 student teams will refine their projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. Participants will engage in in-depth work on business models, market analysis, value proposition development, and preparation for the final defense.
BGSC 2026 Cohort Mentors:
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Dmitry Pak – Lecturer, International Business Division Lead, Institute of Entrepreneurship
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Daniil Khazin – PhD in Economics, Senior Lecturer, Chair of AlmaU Finance Club, Entrepreneur and Coach
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Ildar Tapalov – Professor of Practice, New Venture Startup Division Lead, MBA
This format allows students to gain practical experience, go beyond academic lectures, and prepare for a strong representation of AlmaU on the international stage.
The final project defense will take place on March 10 at AlmaU. Based on the selection results, the winning team representing the university at the international stage will be determined.
Winners receive:
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A grant of $4,000-$5,000 for targeted project development
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Opportunity to study for free at the Babson Build Summer School in Boston, USA
Studying at one of the world’s leading centers for entrepreneurial education will allow students to transform their ideas into full-fledged business solutions and reach a new level of development.
Since 2017, AlmaU has been an honorary member of the Babson Collaborative network, providing students with access to international expertise and advanced educational resources. The partnership is further strengthened by the participation of the Dean of AlmaU Graduate School of Business on the network’s Advisory Board.
For participation and collaboration within Babson Collaborative: Aigerim Sagintayeva – a.sagintayeva@almau.edu.kz