It's impossible to imagine a modern company without business applications. From task planners and inventory management systems to complex CRM platforms and client services, they are integral to business operations. Many organizations even create custom applications tailored to their specific needs. However, developing software is a costly and time-intensive process requiring skilled professionals. Fortunately, there are now more efficient tools that reduce costs and speed up the creation of business applications.
Kazakhstan-based startup Axellero.io is developing a namesake low-code platform with an integrated AI assistant. This innovative solution enables users to design and launch software quickly using graphical tools. Even employees without technical expertise can build comprehensive IT solutions on Axellero.io, saving both time and resources.
The founders of Axellero.io — CEO Ruslan Kurkebay, Co-CEO and Product Owner Azat Nugusbayev, and CTO Timur Tazhibaev —shared their ambitious plans for global expansion, their vision of becoming a tech giant, and the prospects of low-code tools with Er10.Media.
Follow Kazakhstan’s Startup Movement in the "100 Startup Stories of Kazakhstan", a collaborative project by ER10 Media and Astana Hub. This initiative highlights the most innovative Kazakh startups, showcasing projects that stand out for their creativity and impact. Among the heroes are Astana Hub residents, as well as creators of other innovative technological products and services. The content is available in Kazakh, Russian, and English.
Quicker, easier, cheaper
– Tell us what is the essence of the Axellero.io platform?
Ruslan: Axellero.io is a Low-code platform with a built-in AI assistant that greatly simplifies the process of creating IT solutions. It allows for the rapid creation of database structures, backend services, and user interfaces for web applications. With an intuitive graphical interface, Axellero.io minimizes the need for manual coding, enabling users to develop fully functional systems efficiently."
One standout feature is the AI assistant, which makes application development accessible even for non-technical employees. This reduces reliance on skilled specialists, optimizing costs for development, deployment, support, and training. Axellero.io accelerates the implementation of business applications, making digital transformation faster, more affordable, and easier.
Azat: Axellero.io is a toolkit for building and integrating client-centric solutions. Think of it as a new programming language — only much simpler and visual. Even users without coding skills can design robust software products from modular components.
Timur: There are industry-specific SaaS solutions on the market today that are focused on narrow segments, such as construction or transportation. Their main advantage is high specialization. However, with the advent of low-code technologies and artificial intelligence, platforms like ours offer an affordable and versatile alternative to vertical SaaS solutions.
With Axellero.io, instead of spending approximately $20,000 per month — the typical budget of a mid-sized Western company — on various SaaS solutions, you can subscribe to our platform for just $5,000. This allows you to independently develop, configure, and adapt a product to meet your specific needs. For example, if your auto center previously required an information system, you likely purchased specialized off-the-shelf solutions, often several programs for different tasks, or hired an entire team of developers — both costly approaches. Today, low-code and AI technologies provide a much faster, simpler, and more cost-effective solution without compromising on quality or functionality.
— How did you become startup founders?
Ruslan: Our startup has been around for three years. The core of our team has extensive experience in the IT sector — ranging from 12 to 20 years. Most of us come from various financial and IT companies. Over the past eight years, we’ve been focused on IT outsourcing, developing custom solutions for different clients. Then, we had the idea to create our own platform, which we’ve been developing for the last three years.
The Common Challenge
– How did the idea for your startup come to you? Did you identify a market pain point?
Ruslan: As I mentioned, we all worked in IT outsourcing. Since then we have created more than 100 software products for clients, including Egov Mobile and serious banking systems. These were large-scale projects involving teams of 20 to 40 people.
Through this experience, we noticed a recurring issue: in every project, we had to perform similar or identical tasks, building each component of an information system from scratch. That’s when we asked ourselves — wouldn't it be great to have a platform where all the standard components were pre-built and integrated, leaving us to simply "connect the pieces"? Fueled by this idea, we began developing such a platform with a small team. At some point, we realized we were ready to fully commit to this startup. Around the same time, we sold a stake in our IT outsourcing company and reinvested those funds into the startup.
— Does Axellero.io already have a client base?
Ruslan: Today, we are already working with major Kazakhstani clients such as Halyk Bank, ERG, Kcell, Bank CenterCredit, and many others.
We’ve also started collaborating with clients in offering Axellero.io as a platform for accelerated automation of services and development of information systems for government agencies. Using Axellero.io, the time required to automate government services can be significantly reduced. For instance, while traditional methods might take 1–2 months to automate a single service, with our platform, this process only takes 1–2 weeks. Moreover, we’ve built all the complex architectural components into the platform. This means developers only need basic JavaScript knowledge to work with it. This approach significantly reduces costs and accelerates the software development process.
Kazakhstan, the USA, and Beyond
— Do you plan to scale to international markets?
Ruslan: Our first phase of scaling is planned for next year, focusing on entering the U.S. market. Initially, we aim to secure a small niche there, but over time, we aspire to grow into a significant cloud platform that can rapidly automate processes across various industries.
— Once you conquer the U.S. market, where do you plan to go next?
Ruslan: If we succeed in establishing ourselves in the U.S. as a cloud platform, we’ll become a global company. Localization will no longer be a priority.
Azat: It’s important to note that our primary clients are IT companies and startups, most of which are concentrated in the U.S. That’s why our development strategy is focused in that direction.
– What stage is the startup currently at?
Ruslan: It depends on the market. In Kazakhstan, we’re at the Product Market Fit stage. We already have paying clients requesting new product improvements.When it comes to the U.S., we’re at the stage of defining our market entry strategy. The competition there is intense, so the challenges we face are complex.
Between August and October, we participated in the Alchemist X B2B Accelerator, a program designed for companies aiming to enter the U.S. market. At the final Pitch Battle, which was evaluated by more than 80 industry experts, we secured first place. As part of this program, we initiated negotiations with potential advisors and began developing sales channels in collaboration with future partners.
Winning Strategy
— How do you plan to succeed in a competitive market?
Azat: Our first competitive advantage is the modernity of our product. Unlike competitors’ solutions created 10–20 years ago using outdated standards, our platform meets the latest technological demands and user requirements. Secondly, our platform is in active development, allowing us to flexibly adapt and enhance it to meet evolving user needs.
— Does your startup require investments to enter the U.S. market?
Ruslan: In Kazakhstan, our business is already gaining momentum, and we are confident we can dominate the local market independently. However, entering the complex and highly competitive U.S. market requires substantial investments. We are currently in active discussions with investors to secure funding that will help us realize our ambitious plans for this market.
Drive and Responsibility
— Let’s talk a bit about your journey. How did you transition from employees to entrepreneurs?
Ruslan: It happened in 2018. I traveled as part of a startup to the USA. During this trip, I realized that I had seriously grown in terms of professionalism and ambition. I understood that I was ready to create something of my own. I started searching for partners, and eventually, we formed a small professional team. We also found a strategic partner willing to provide projects and funding. Initially, there were just ten of us, but over five years, we’ve grown to a team of 200. I’ll be honest — being an entrepreneur is fascinating.
Azat: I have less experience than Ruslan and Timur, but I began managing teams early in my career. After working as a programmer for just a year or two, I transitioned to management. At that time, I wasn’t part of any business or a company shareholder — I was more like a "gray cardinal" involved in all processes. Eventually, I realized it was time to grow, step out of the shadows, and take responsibility. Entrepreneurship is vastly different from being an employee. The level of responsibility a business owner takes on is enormous. Still, being an entrepreneur is incredibly exciting.
Timur: While working in banking, I observed vendor representatives who would come in and implement their products. I was always curious about what it was like to work on "the other side." Another factor was the lack of serious growth opportunities in large organizations where everything is rigidly structured and rarely changes over time. I wanted a professional boost as a developer and architect, which is hard to achieve in corporate settings. In 2015, I joined a startup where I developed a banking accounting system. That was the start of my entrepreneurial journey.
Dreams and Inspiration
— Do you have a dream you’d like to realize through your startup?
Ruslan: I’ve had a dream since we first started our business. We want to build a large tech platform that directly impacts Kazakhstan’s education system and economy. For example, there’s a company called JetBrains that develops tools for programmers. Millions of developers worldwide use JetBrains products. The company has become a hub for several major technological universities, providing sponsorship and R&D centers. Over 10–15 years, JetBrains has significantly influenced the professional growth of the entire industry.
There are similar examples in other countries. Unfortunately, Kazakhstan lacks such large-scale tech platforms. While we’re just starting, our ultimate goal is to grow into a tech giant capable of benefiting the entire country.
— What inspires you at work?
Ruslan: The success stories of the PayPal Mafia, which brings together the founders of Tesla, LinkedIn, Palantir, SpaceX, YouTube and Yelp, serve as an inspiration to me. They show that a cohesive team of like-minded individuals can achieve incredible results in the tech industry.
If you’re interested in the startup world, I highly recommend the series "Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber." It vividly depicts how an innovative company is born and grows, the challenges its founder faces, and how they are overcome. This series is a true guide for entrepreneurs, filled with valuable insights.
— If you were to associate your personality with a sport, what would it be?
Ruslan: Our team loves playing ping pong — we even have a table for it in the office. Personally, I enjoy basketball and other team sports. You don’t have to be a superstar player, but with the right teamwork, you can achieve victories.
Azat: Tennis, both singles and doubles. It’s always about competition and rivalry. I’m not afraid to play solo and am ready to collaborate in a team.
Timur: Chess. I enjoy analyzing situations, planning moves, and acting strategically to achieve results.
— How do you assess the development of Kazakhstan’s startup ecosystem?
Ruslan: I see that Kazakhstani startups are growing rapidly, with a positive upward trend. Five or ten years ago, startups were mostly created by students and young specialists. Today, experienced professionals are entering the field, bringing their ideas to life. Many are finding success in the U.S. and European markets. Additionally, there’s an increasing number of local investors willing to support promising projects.
