Daniyar Zhanbekov
Daniyar Zhanbekov
Investment Professional
Investment Professional
Daniyar Zhanbekov has developed an international career spanning investment banking, private equity, media, film, insurance, and entrepreneurship. His path began in Kazakhstan and later took him to the United States, where education and professional opportunities helped shape his career. He eventually returned to Kazakhstan and applied his experience to investments and business ventures. Throughout this journey, Daniyar has focused on building relationships, identifying promising companies, developing talent, and creating growth opportunities.
During his last year of high school, Daniyar received an opportunity to travel to the U.S. through a highly competitive high school exchange program. He eventually received a full scholarship as a Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship recipient, an opportunity designed for high-achieving seniors seeking to attend leading four-year universities.
Daniyar continued his education at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, where he earned his degree. Before attending university, he received the All USA Academic Team award, recognizing students for academic achievement, intellectual ability, leadership, and service beyond the classroom.
His educational accomplishments opened the door to Bain & Company, where Daniyar began building professional experience. His goal of working on Wall Street later led him to Lehman Brothers. There, he joined the Technology Media and Telecom investment group and worked in both New York and London. After developing his career abroad, he decided to return to Kazakhstan in 2007 and joined Renaissance Capital.
Daniyar’s return to Kazakhstan marked the beginning of another stage of his professional life. At Renaissance Capital, he participated in several landmark deals in Kazakhstan, and his work resulted in leadership promotions.
He later joined a private equity firm as Director of Investments. In that position, Daniyar closed several transactions across the telecoms and retail sectors. He then established the Kazakhstan Hong Development Fund, a $400 million fund created with top Hong Kong investors and families, including billionaire and philanthropist Li Ka-Shing and the Kazakhstan government.
Daniyar also spent nine years as a board member of KazTransCom, a telecommunications and information technology company.
His career eventually expanded beyond investment and finance. Daniyar established Arai Media and Arai Production, entering the television production industry and building one of his country’s largest private TV content producers.
After selling his television production business, Daniyar purchased Basel Insurance from local fintech player Kaspi.kz. He also partnered with Everest Capital Management, a fund focused on real estate development in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and recently successfully exited the business.
Since 2021, Daniyar has been the sole shareholder of Basel Insurance. According to S&P Global Ratings, Basel Insurance Company “has demonstrated high capital adequacy ratios compared to the growth of insurance premiums. It has a balanced investment policy, continuing to expand and diversify its business.”
Daniyar has continued to remember the opportunity that allowed him to arrive in the U.S. on a scholarship with only $100 in his pocket. That experience has influenced his interest in helping young people develop their abilities. He supports young talent through mentorship, career guidance, and financial assistance for education and training. He also recruits talented individuals into his organizations, giving them opportunities to gain experience and become more independent.
Much of this support is directed toward underserved youth and orphans. Daniyar’s involvement began after he organized an Iftar dinner, the fast-breaking meal during Ramadan, at an orphanage. Through the experience, he realized that mentorship, knowledge, and guidance could be as meaningful as material support.
Daniyar began serving as an older brother figure, providing career advice and direction while encouraging young people to recognize opportunities beyond their circumstances. He continues to organize Iftar dinners for orphans and also donates toys, clothes, and books to the orphanages he visits.
Following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S., Daniyar created a student organization focused on promoting religious understanding and tolerance. The organization provided a place where religious guests, experts, and students could discuss different religious beliefs and the importance of respecting different cultures and religions.
The initiative reflected Daniyar’s broader interest in bringing people together and encouraging relationships across different backgrounds. It also provided students with an opportunity to learn from discussions and better understand perspectives beyond their own experiences.
Outside his responsibilities in business, investment, and mentorship, Daniyar places importance on spending quality time with his children and family. His personal interests also give him opportunities to step away from his professional schedule.
Soccer, table tennis, hiking, and swimming are among the activities Daniyar Zhanbekov enjoys. Whether spending time outdoors, participating in sports, or simply being with his family, these interests provide a personal balance to the business, investment, and community work that has shaped his journey from Kazakhstan to the U.S. and back home.