Do you have a viable idea but are missing the funding source that can help you transform that idea into a profitable product. Are you lacking access to local and global markets? Fear not. Here is a list of top incubation centers. These are the places for Pakistan’s smartest tech entrepreneurs to polish their skills and find their place in the market.
1) Plan9 – PITB’s Tech Incubator
Pakistan’s top incubation center for IT-based startups, Plan9 (a project of PITB & ITU) takes in startups from all over the country and provides them fully furnished offices free of cost, monthly stipend, mentoring opportunities, office equipment and much more. They have successfully produced 66 startups so far including famous Markhor, Eyedeus (the Groopic folks), Patari, Sportskot, Wifi Gen, SmacFactory and are currently supporting 15 startups.
Office location: Lahore
For more information and application procedure, visit their website.
2) NUST TIC
Another incubation center that provides a nurturing environment to tech based business ideas, NUST TIC has produced total 11 successful startups and is currently housing 25 incubates. They also provide a platform to bring academia and industry closer where students get a chance to commercialize their research and final year projects.
Office location: Islamabad
For more information and application procedure, visit their website.
3) Pasha Fund
This Organization provide funds to innovative tech based ideas that have a social impact. In partnership with Google for Entrepreneurs they have provided funds to over 12 companies.
Office location: Karachi
For more information and application procedure, visit their website.
4) SEED Incubation
Social Entrepreneurship and Equity Development (Seed) has successfully mentored, incubated, funded and produced 13 companies so far. SEED provide services to investors and entrepreneurs in formal and informal sectors such as vendors like cobblers, domestic workers etc.
Office location: Karachi
For more information and application procedure, visit their website.
5) Microsoft Innovation Center
MIC connects entrepreneurs to resources and provides all the support they need in shaping and building their ideas into solutions. They offer a 12 weeks long training program which concludes with a MIC DEMO WEEK in April where a global audience observes the products demonstrations of entrepreneurs and they receive feedback from experts. The program is up and running over 35 startups.
Office location: Karachi
For more information and application procedure, visit their website.
6) SMEDA
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), an institution of government of Pakistan that provides working environment and business development services to small and medium enterprises. Currently, SMEDA is running twenty-eight projects with a total expenditure of RS. 4.2 Billion.
Office location: Lahore
For more information and application procedure, visit their website.
7) Cloud9 Startups
Cloud9 is another idea-incubation center for the ambitious entrepreneurs of Pakistan. They give tech startups access to resources, money, mentoring opportunities etc. They have successfully supported and funded over 5 startups up till now.
Office location: Islamabad
For more information and application procedure, visit their website.
8) National ICT R&D Fund
The Federal Government’s National ICT R&D Fund is working jointly with the industry and the academia to provide support and funds to concrete research and development initiatives. They have successfully funded and completed 14 projects so far. Currently they are supporting 38 projects.
Office location: Islamabad
For more information and application procedure, visit their website.
9) Breeze Angel Investments
Another early-stage investor, BAI supports Pakistan’s technology entrepreneurs and guides them to success. Their portfolio includes three successful companies.
Office location: Karachi
For more information and application procedure, visit their website.
10) COMSATS Incubation Center
COMSATS IC aims to contribute towards improvement of socioeconomic structure of Pakistan. They have successfully incubated 2 companies and 3 projects.
Office location: Islamabad
For more information and application procedure, visit their website.
Startup incubator centers in Pakistan are now multiplying. Many high profile universities and companies are starting incubator programs to promote entrepreneurship in the hope of boosting our local tech ecosystems and becoming next Silicon Valley. These include P@sha’s NESTIO, LUMS LCE and many more.
