Kazakh Teen Becomes Central Asia's First Y Combinator Grant Winner at 17

Igor Martynyuk, a high school senior from Pavlodar, has become the first student from Central Asia to receive a full grant for Y Combinator's Startup School. The 17-year-old has already built TabAI, an AI-powered productivity tool with nearly 20,000 users worldwide. Igor developed TabAI to help users manage browser tabs more efficiently. The tool has gained traction globally, attracting $35,000 in angel funding and a grant from Google. His success caught the attention of Y Combinator, which is now fully covering his participation in Startup School—including flights, accommodation, and tuition.

Beyond his own project, Igor has been named an official ambassador for Cursor. In this role, he supports developer communities across Kazakhstan and Central Asia. His next steps include refining TabAI, joining more international accelerator programmes, and applying for Y Combinator's core selection process.

With TabAI already in use by thousands, Igor's work is gaining recognition. The funding and Y Combinator grant will help him expand his product and connect with global tech networks. His role as a Cursor ambassador further strengthens developer collaboration in the region.