Alexander Mashrabov, co-founder of the US-based AI video startup Higgsfield, receives Kazakh citizenship and applies to renounce Russian citizenship

Alexander Mashrabov, co-founder of U.S. AI startup Higgsfield, has received Kazakh citizenship, according to Zhaslan Madiyev, Kazakhstan’s minister of artificial intelligence and digital development. The decree was signed by Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on October 30. A photo shows Madiyev handing Mashrabov his passport.

Madiyev praised Higgsfield's contribution to Kazakhstan's AI industry, noting the company's global demand and over 40 million users. Kazakhstan prohibits dual citizenship. Mashrabov, who has resided in the United States, plans to renounce his Russian citizenship, per a Higgsfield spokesperson. He listed Los Angeles as his home on LinkedIn.

In August, Forbes Russia intended to feature Mashrabov on its Russian billionaires list. Higgsfield employs AI to generate video content, targeting creators, marketers, and brands for social media and advertising. The company raised $700 million in annual revenue in 2026, up from $20 million a year prior, and was valued at $5.4 billion, with a potential 20% stake owned by Mashrabov.

The startup, founded in 2023 by Mashrabov and Kazakh machine learning researcher Yerzat Dulat, was valued at $166 million when Snap Inc. acquired AI Factory in 2018. Several high-profile Russians have renounced their citizenship since the invasion of Ukraine, including Oleg Tinkov, Yuri Milner, Nikolay Storonsky, and Arkady Volozh.