Accelerator Programs of the National Association of Cooperatives

Accelerator Programs of the National Association of Cooperatives of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (ACFSMC).

Acceleration Programs

The acceleration programs include:

Acceleration within the "30 Breakthrough Projects" competition: This is a limited program as part of a competitive selection process.
Full Acceleration: A comprehensive program for companies committed to long-term growth.
Paid Courses and Services: Designed for companies not participating in the full acceleration program or the "30 Breakthrough Projects."
The "Central Asia Shelf" Project: Aims to ensure practical sales of products in China.

1. Acceleration Within the "30 Breakthrough Projects" Competition

Conditions:

Participation is available to companies that have submitted projects to the "30 Breakthrough Projects" competition.
A monthly membership fee is required.

"30 Breakthrough Projects" Acceleration Seminars:

Seminar 1. Introduction to Cooperation
What are cooperatives? History, principles, and modern significance for the agro-industrial and trade sectors.
The role of the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (ACFSMC): networking, logistics, and distribution capabilities.
The role of the National Association of Cooperatives of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NAC of RK): supporting producers, consolidating projects, and preparing for export.
Seminar 2. Creating a Presentation for Chinese Partners
Key requirements of Chinese business: how to properly package information so it is understood by Chinese investors and partners.
Presentation structure: value proposition, product advantages, proof of quality and safety, and plans for scaling.
Visuals: features of graphics and text for a Chinese audience (colors, hieroglyphs, numbers, cultural codes).
Practical part: working on a company presentation with expert feedback.
Seminar 3. Attracting Investment with Support from ACFSMC

2. Full Acceleration by the National Association of Cooperatives of the RK and ACFSMC

Conditions:

Mandatory participation through an annual membership fee.
Signing an acceleration agreement which provides for a 10% commission on the first year of a contract organized within the acceleration program by the National Association of Cooperatives or accredited accelerators.

Full Acceleration Seminars:

Seminar 1. Rules for Certification and Product Admission to China

Main regulatory frameworks: GACC Decrees 248 and 249, enterprise registration, sanitary/phytosanitary protocols, and GB standards (food safety, labeling).
Organic products: certification according to GB/T 19630-2019, and the right to use the "有机" label.
Practical part: a step-by-step analysis of case studies—how a grain processing plant or a meatpacking facility undergoes registration and certification for China.
Tool: a certification checklist for each product (meat, dairy, grain, fish, functional foods).

Seminar 2. Packaging and Labeling for the Chinese Market

Labeling requirements: GB 7718 and GB 28050 (new version—mandatory from 2027).
Packaging design: adaptation for Chinese consumers (colors, symbolism, language, QR codes for tracking).

Seminar 3. Intellectual Property and Brand Protection

Registration of trademarks and brands in the PRC (China Trademark Office).
Risks of copying and counterfeiting: typical cases and how to protect yourself.
Practical part: a step-by-step guide on how to apply for brand registration in China.
Legal block: how to include protective provisions in contracts.

Seminar 4. Contract Manufacturing in China

OEM/ODM models: what they are and how they work in China.
Risks: quality, technology protection, and performance control.
Practical part: contract templates including quality control, liability, and IP protection.

Seminar 5. Investments, Settlements, and Offtake Contracts

Financial mechanisms: settlements in yuan, currency risks, use of letters of credit.
Offtake contracts as an investment tool: guaranteed sales + prepayment from the Chinese side. Modeling an offtake contract for the participants' products (e.g., grains or meat).
Investments from a Chinese cooperative in exchange for a commitment to supply goods and services.

Seminar 6. E-commerce and Marketing

E-commerce via ChinaCoop: connecting to platforms, rules, and requirements.
External channels: JD.com, Tmall, Douyin, WeChat mini-programs.
Practical part: creating a mini-presentation for e-commerce and preparing a product card for marketplaces.
PR and marketing: working with Chinese bloggers (KOLs) and brand localization.

Thematic Matching with Chinese Partners

Instead of individual thematic blocks, the program offers group sessions based on product clusters (honey, oil, meat, dairy, grains, fish, functional foods, etc.). The format consists of Zoom meetings with relevant Chinese companies who are members of ACFSMC. Each company makes a pitch, receives feedback, and negotiates pilot batches.
The result is an exchange of practical information on market entry from real participants in the target market for each specific product, leading to the establishment of concrete contacts and potential contracts for product procurement.

3. Paid Courses and Services for Companies Outside Acceleration

Conditions:

For companies that do not want to go through the full acceleration.
Participation is voluntary, and each service is paid for separately.

Seminars:

Access to acceleration-themed courses.
Cost of each thematic seminar course: 100,000 tenge.
Individual matching with Chinese partners: 200,000 tenge.

4. The "Central Asia Shelf" Project

Conditions:

For participants in both the Full Acceleration and the "30 Breakthrough Projects" competition.
Partnership with the ChinaCoop store network (341,000 stores).

Project Goals:

Sustainable Sales: Ensure the stable sale of environmentally friendly products from Central Asian producers in international markets through an effective export channel.
Export Channel to China: Build an export channel to China using ACFSMC's infrastructure to increase the accessibility of the Chinese market.
Find the Most Effective Mechanism for Interaction with Chinese Investors: Direct interaction with Chinese buyers and investors is a key element for attracting investment.
Scaling Startups and Projects: The mechanism opens up opportunities to scale startups and industrial projects from Central Asia by entering vast sales markets.
Develop the "Central Asian Goods" Brand: Using ACFSMC's infrastructure helps to develop the brand and make it recognizable in Chinese stores.

Cooperation Format:

Special Branded Zone: A separate branded zone, "Central Asian Goods on China's Shelf," creates a dedicated space for goods from Central Asia within the ACFSMC retail network (341,000 stores). The presence in ACFSMC's retail network and online platforms ensures stable access to a wide market.
Marketing Support: Assistance with marketing, certification, and logistics, including help with promotion, obtaining necessary certificates, and managing deliveries.

Stage 1: Trial Exhibition

Market Assessment: The temporary import of goods allows companies to assess the market and receive initial feedback from consumers.
Test Stores: Placing products in test stores helps to understand consumer preferences and reactions.
Feedback: Receiving feedback from customers and the retail network helps to adjust strategies and improve the product.

Stage 2: Pilot Sales

Target Markets: Pilot sales begin in major Chinese cities (by agreement) to reach the maximum number of consumers.
Demand Assessment: It is important to assess product demand for effective inventory management and production planning.
Logistics Optimization: Analyzing product groups and logistics helps to optimize supply processes for timely delivery.

Stage 3: Investments and Scaling

Attracting Investors: Attracting Chinese investors to address production capacity shortages and ensure stable growth.
Increased Deliveries: It is planned to increase deliveries and launch products across the entire ACFSMC network to meet growing demand.
Joint Ventures: The possibility of creating joint ventures and joint expansion is being considered to achieve strategic goals.

Project Participation Algorithm

Application Submission: The first step involves receiving and registering an application to participate in the project.

The company must be a member of the National Association of Cooperatives and Other Forms of Economic Communities of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The annual membership fee must be paid.
The company must sign an acceleration agreement that includes a 10% payment of the first year's contract profit from acceleration-related contracts.

Feedback and Evaluation: A preliminary assessment of the possibility of participation is conducted, and feedback is provided.
Document Issuance: The company is provided with instructions on product packaging and labeling. The company receives a list of necessary documents for arranging the temporary and permanent import of its products into the PRC.
Trip Organization: Participation in a trial exhibition and pilot sales on the "Central Asian Goods" shelf in China is organized. The participating company independently covers its travel and accommodation costs, as well as the travel and accommodation for two representatives of the accelerator company.
Production Opportunity Assessment: The company receives feedback and a preliminary assessment.
Signing an Investment Agreement or a Contract for Product Supply to the entire ACFSMC network.

5. Who Can Conduct Acceleration

Main Executors:

SRO ALE "National Association of Cooperatives and Other Forms of Economic Communities of the Republic of Kazakhstan" is the strategic operator.
Accredited Accelerators (legal entities or individual entrepreneurs) are those who have passed the official accreditation of the SRO ALE "National Association of Cooperatives and Other Forms of Economic Communities of the Republic of Kazakhstan."

Conditions for Obtaining Accreditation:

The candidate must fully complete the acceleration program as a participant.
They must mentor one company, taking it through the full acceleration cycle.
The result of the mentorship must be the signing of a contract for product supply to China or the company's participation in the "Central Asia Shelf" project.
They must sign an agreement with the National Association of Cooperatives and Other Forms of Economic Communities of the Republic of Kazakhstan that includes terms for compensation and reporting.
Mandatory Requirements:
Having an office (or officially registered workspace).
Being connected to the Unified National Register of Cooperative Shares.
Maintaining a project portfolio (an obligation to support a certain number of companies annually).
Publicity: All accredited accelerators must be published on:
The official website of the National Association of Cooperatives and Other Forms of Economic Communities of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The portal of the Unified National Register of Cooperative Shares of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Classes of Accredited Accelerators:

Intern Class:
Criterion: The candidate is undergoing acceleration for the first time as a future accelerator. They mentor one company under the supervision of the National Association or a higher-class accredited accelerator.
Financial Model: The intern does not receive the direct 10% commission but is paid by agreement with the lead accelerator (a share or a fixed amount).
Result: If the company mentored by the intern signs a contract or enters the "Central Asia Shelf" project, the intern gains the right to apply for accreditation and transition to the First Class.
First Class:
Criterion: Has successfully mentored at least one company to a successful outcome (contract or "Central Asia Shelf").
Financial Model: 10% of the annual contract → 70% goes to the accelerator, 30% to the Association.
Experienced Class:
Criterion: Has successfully mentored at least five companies to a successful outcome.
Financial Model: 10% of the annual contract → 80% goes to the accelerator, 20% to the Association.
Professional Class:
Criterion: Has successfully mentored ten or more companies to a successful outcome, or has a portfolio of at least five annual projects for the last two years.
Financial Model: 10% of the annual contract → 90% goes to the accelerator, 10% to the Association.

Mechanism for Accreditation Approval:

After fulfilling the conditions (completing acceleration, mentoring a company, achieving a result, signing an agreement), the candidate submits an application to the National Association of Cooperatives and Other Forms of Economic Communities of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The Association's commission reviews the application and supporting documents (project portfolio, agreements, results).
By order of the President of the National Association, the following are approved:

The status of an accredited accelerator.
The assigned accelerator class.
Exclusion from the registry of accelerators with the revocation of the accelerator status. This order must contain the grounds (a client's complaint, a court decision, an act of bad-faith performance of obligations).

Information about the company and its class is published on:

The official website of the Association.
The portal of the Unified National Register of Cooperative Shares of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

To change a class (e.g., transition from First to Experienced by increasing the number of companies), the accelerator must submit an application with supporting documents (signed acceleration agreements and client reviews confirming the success of the acceleration). After the documents are verified, an order from the Association's President is issued, and the information is updated in public sources.

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