building bridges between Central Asia and global markets
Xander Group
We help companies build strategic and mutually beneficial relationships for long-term growth
Support for fundraising, tracking, and scaling in technology and creative industries
We develop key skills for effective team management and increased productivity
B2B, B2G Partnerships
Technology & Creative Industry
Education & Leadership Program
Independent analytical and policy platform based in Astana International University
CFive - Intellectual Platform
- B2B, B2G PartnershipsWe help Central Asian companies expand into new international markets through strategic advisory and partnership building, enabling sustainable cross-border growth. Our services include market feasibility studies and entry strategy development, identification and vetting of reliable local partners, and matchmaking with investors and strategic stakeholders. We also provide end-to-end support in investment structuring and facilitation, government relations (GR), regulatory navigation, certification, licensing, localization, and compliance to ensure successful market entry and long-term operations.
- Technology & Creative IndustryWe provide specialized support for fundraising, tracking, and scaling in the technology and creative industries, connecting regional innovators with global capital and strategic partners while bringing international tech and creative companies to Central Asia. Our services include access to venture capital, private equity, family offices, sovereign funds, accelerators, and strategic investors across the US, Europe, and Asia.
- CFive - Intellectual PlatformCFive is an independent analytical and policy platform of Xander Group based at Astana International University, focused on advancing geoeconomic insights, regional connectivity, and strategic industries in Central Asia. The platform conducts in-depth research on the region’s economic development, technology, critical minerals, and connectivity while organizing high-level expert discussions and forums. CFive also provides strategic advice to businesses, governments, and international organizations, producing reports and facilitating evidence-based public-private dialogue on the future of the region.
- Education & Leadership ProgramWe deliver high-impact educational programs designed to develop human capital and leadership in business, technology, and geopolitics. Our initiatives include exclusive lectures and masterclasses with world-renowned diplomats, CEOs, and experts, as well as corporate trainings in soft skills, strategic thinking, negotiation, and innovation management. We also provide executive education and team development programs with a strong focus on emerging leaders in technology, creative industries, and international business.
Iskander Akylbayev
CEO & Founder Xander Group
From 2017 to 2021, he was the Executive Director of the Kazakhstan Council on International Relations (KCIR). Previously, he was an analyst at JSC RTRK "Kazakhstan" (2017-2019) and Acting Head and Senior Researcher at the Department of Foreign Policy and International Security at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KISI) under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2014-2017).
From 2017 to 2018, he was a senior lecturer at the Institute of Diplomacy of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Iskander is a recipient of the Asia 21 Fellowship Program of the Asia Society, the Millennium Fellowship Program of the Atlantic Council.
Member of the working group of the Academy of Arms Control Negotiations (ACONA) at Harvard University, MGIMO, the Higher School of Economics of Russia and the Wilson Center, the Frankfurt Institute for Peace Research and the Höfði Reykjavík Peace Centre.
Since 2022, Iskander has been a participant in the international program of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.
Master of Arts, Lee Kuan Yew School of Government, National University of Singapore. Li Ka-shing Scholarship recipient.
Master of Arts in International Relations, University of Tsukuba (Japan). Recipient of the MEXT Scholarship Program of the Japanese Government.
From 2017 to 2018, he was a senior lecturer at the Institute of Diplomacy of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Iskander is a recipient of the Asia 21 Fellowship Program of the Asia Society, the Millennium Fellowship Program of the Atlantic Council.
Member of the working group of the Academy of Arms Control Negotiations (ACONA) at Harvard University, MGIMO, the Higher School of Economics of Russia and the Wilson Center, the Frankfurt Institute for Peace Research and the Höfði Reykjavík Peace Centre.
Since 2022, Iskander has been a participant in the international program of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.
Master of Arts, Lee Kuan Yew School of Government, National University of Singapore. Li Ka-shing Scholarship recipient.
Master of Arts in International Relations, University of Tsukuba (Japan). Recipient of the MEXT Scholarship Program of the Japanese Government.
Nurassyl Yerzhanov
Executive Director Xander Group
His work focuses on building cross-border initiatives that connect Kazakhstan with leading global innovation ecosystems, including the United States, Japan, South Korea and Europe. He plays a key role in organizing international business missions, investment forums, and partnership platforms aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between Central Asia and global markets.
Nurassyl is also a serial entrepreneur with experience launching and managing businesses across multiple sectors, including education, entertainment and logistics. Over the course of his entrepreneurial career, he has founded and developed several ventures, gaining practical expertise in building operations, scaling services, and developing new market opportunities.
He is recognized as an expert in technology and the creative industries, actively working at the intersection of innovation, business development, and international collaboration. Nurassyl holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Suleyman Demirel University.
Nurassyl is also a serial entrepreneur with experience launching and managing businesses across multiple sectors, including education, entertainment and logistics. Over the course of his entrepreneurial career, he has founded and developed several ventures, gaining practical expertise in building operations, scaling services, and developing new market opportunities.
He is recognized as an expert in technology and the creative industries, actively working at the intersection of innovation, business development, and international collaboration. Nurassyl holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Suleyman Demirel University.
Sultan Yessenbek
Partner – Business Development
Sultan Yessenbek is an international strategy advisor specializing in cross-border partnerships, export development and institutional engagement between the European Union and Central Asia.
As Associate Partner at Xander Group, he focuses on structuring B2B and B2G partnerships, supporting foreign direct investment initiatives and developing international market entry strategies for companies expanding abroad.
In parallel, he serves as General Secretary of the BeNeLux Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan, where he coordinates bilateral business councils, trade missions and cooperation initiatives linking Kazakhstan with Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Earlier, he worked at the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, contributing to intergovernmental commissions and international economic cooperation.
As Associate Partner at Xander Group, he focuses on structuring B2B and B2G partnerships, supporting foreign direct investment initiatives and developing international market entry strategies for companies expanding abroad.
In parallel, he serves as General Secretary of the BeNeLux Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan, where he coordinates bilateral business councils, trade missions and cooperation initiatives linking Kazakhstan with Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Earlier, he worked at the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, contributing to intergovernmental commissions and international economic cooperation.
Advisory Board
- Tlek ZeinullayevFounder and CIO at Aina
- Daniyar KosnazarovChief Hypotheses Officer
- Bekzhan MutanovCFO Freedom Horizons
- Alim AbrdakhmanEMEA Real Estate Portfolio Manager at Nike
Partners
Contact us:
contact@xander.kz
Mangilik El 51, Astana,
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan