Bulat Utemuratov is a leading Kazakhstani entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the key investor in the projects managed by Verny Capital, with his business interests spanning finances, hotel business, real estate, natural resources, telecommunication and media, transport and logistics, consumer goods and services.
Bulat Utemuratov
In 2014, Bulat Utemuratov established a charitable foundation with a mission to drive sustainable improvement to the quality of life in Kazakhstan by promoting health, education, and cultural development. The total cost of the projects implemented by the Foundation is more than $150 million.
The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation’s allocated $15 million to its flagship project "Autism. One World for All" which provides early intervention programs for autistic children and support for their families. More than 16,000 children have benefited from support in 13 Asyl Miras Autism Centers over the course of nine years.
The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation’s allocated $15 million to its flagship project "Autism. One World for All" which provides early intervention programs for autistic children and support for their families. More than 16,000 children have benefited from support in 13 Asyl Miras Autism Centers over the course of nine years.
The Foundation is one of few local organizations in Kazakhstan to have a broad reach and diverse portfolio of national projects. This versatile approach promotes sustainable improvements to the country’s standard of living, while also allowing the Foundation to respond to critical emergencies. Along with providing emergency response at the local level, in 2023 the Foundation donated $5 million to help communities in Turkey manage the devastating consequences of the earthquake. $1 million was donated to the families of the miners who died in the Kostenko mine explosion in October 2023.
In 2024, the Foundation allocated approximately $22 million to address the aftermath of the large-scale floods in Kazakhstan. These funds were used to provide immediate assistance to flood victims and to ensure housing for over 400 families in the Aktobe region.
To address the regional social development gap, the Foundation has initiated a variety of social infrastructure projects in different regions of Kazakhstan worth over $100 million, which will be donated to the local municipalities. In September 2023, a new school, funded by the Foundation, was opened in the city of Kosshy. It is the first school in the country to comply with the requirements of the «comfortable school» national standard. In September 2024, two more schools of the same type were opened in the Almaty region, and in November, a new airport was launched in Kyzylorda. The airport construction project received the Eurobak award in Kazakhstan. In early 2025, a new community center is scheduled to open in Kosshy.
As part of its philanthropic activities, the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation actively promotes positive youth development. A unique leadership program has been incorporated into the school curriculum in 234 schools to help students develop critical thinking, public speaking, and negotiation skills. Furthermore, to foster a culture of sustainability and teamwork, the Foundation initiated the Jasyl Mektep (Green School) project in 36 schools in Almaty and Astana. Through the program, children can learn a pattern of healthy activity, by planting and cultivating plants, and develop self-confidence by achieving their goals and enjoying the food that they have grown. A total of over 40,000 students have participated in the two programs so far.
In addition to his philanthropic activities, Mr. Utemuratov is passionate about improving education in Kazakhstan. Since 2007, he has supported Narxoz University, one of the country’s leading private universities. Bulat Utemuratov is also one of the founders of the Haileybury Schools in Kazakhstan, which offer a broad liberal education following the
traditions of independent British schooling. The proceeds of these institutions are reinvested into staff capacity building, infrastructure development, and improving education quality.
In 2007, Bulat Utemuratov was appointed President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation. In 2017, his efforts for tennis development were recognized with awards from the International Tennis Federation and the Asian Tennis Federation "for outstanding achievements in tennis development in Kazakhstan”. He allocated over $150 million for the development of tennis and the construction of tennis infrastructure in the country.
The first annual ATP 250 series tournament was held in Astana in 2020. In 2022, the tournament was for one time upgraded to ATP 500. In 2024, the ATP 250 tournament was held in Almaty for the first time, attracting over 50,000 attendees. Representatives of the ATP and the players themselves praised the high level of tournament organization in Kazakhstan. The Almaty Open received top ratings from players, ranking among the top three tournaments of the year across more than 30 criteria, including court quality, locker room comfort, spectator support, atmosphere, and more.
Since 2015, Bulat Utemuratov has been a member of the Board of Directors of the International Tennis Federation (ITF). In December 2023, he was reappointed as one of the four Vice Presidents of the ITF for the second term.
Summarizing his 15-year tenure at the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, Bulat Utemuratov said: “The creation of infrastructure, development of children's tennis and hard work of a professional team of managers and coaches have elevated Kazakhstan tennis to a whole new international level. Elena Rybakina’s triumph at Wimbledon 2022, and recent successes of the national and junior teams, are a testament to this and provide the motivation for the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation to continue investing in the development of the sport in the country. It also inspires our younger players to keep working hard and striving for international success.”
Bulat Utemuratov actively supports culture and art. He also helps the Batyrkhan Shukenov Foundation and allocates scholarships for talented young students of music schools and universities throughout the country. Regular exhibitions of Kulanshi Center for Contemporary Art are held under his patronage at the ForteBank Kulanshi Art Space.
In December 2023, Bulat Utemuratov was named Philanthropist of the Year by the independent members of the Kazakhstan Growth Forum’s Expert Council in recognition of the Foundation’s social projects. In June 2024, the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation received the American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan award in the “Community Service” category. The winners were selected by an independent panel during the annual AmCham ceremony held in Astana.