Jazz, in collaboration with Ignite and Teamup, has announced the successful incubation of 295 startups at the National Incubation Center (NIC) in Islamabad, Pakistan. This partnership has resulted in the graduation of the 10th, 11th, and 12th cohorts of startups, with notable participation from talented female entrepreneurs, who accounted for 24% of the startups incubated.
Established in 2016, NIC Islamabad has emerged as a thriving hub for innovation, attracting significant investment and driving socioeconomic impact in the country. The incubation center has played a pivotal role in creating over 20,000 jobs, generating more than Rs 6.5 billion in sales revenues, and attracting over Rs 7 billion in investment for the startups it has supported.
During the graduation ceremony, attended by Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, and professionals from the tech ecosystem, Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the importance of supporting innovation for the country’s success and future development. He highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering creativity by introducing new initiatives, including a Rs 5 billion venture capital fund, aimed at positioning Pakistan as a global innovation hub in the next 25 years.
Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, expressed pride in the accomplishments of NIC and the startups it has nurtured, underscoring Jazz’s dedication to providing resources and guidance to startups, thereby driving socioeconomic impact and contributing to the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy. The ongoing partnership between Jazz and Ignite aims to further facilitate the startup ecosystem and promote entrepreneurship across the country.
Bilal Abbasi, General Manager of Ignite, commended the visionary approach of NIC in fostering an ecosystem that encourages innovation, collaboration, and growth. With the support of the Ministry of Information Technology, Jazz, Ignite, and Teamup, NIC has provided startups with access to world-class mentors, industry experts, and resources, enabling them to transform their ideas into scalable businesses and contribute to Pakistan’s economic prosperity.
It is worth mentioning that NIC Islamabad is also home to Jazz xlr8, Pakistan’s premier accelerator program, which assists enrolled startups in scaling and growing their businesses. To date, Jazz xlr8 has incubated 31 startups, and 11 of them have had the opportunity to showcase their ideas and products at the 4YFN Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
The successful incubation of 295 tech startups highlights Jazz and Ignite’s commitment to fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and creating job opportunities in Pakistan. The ongoing collaboration between Jazz and NIC is set to pave the way for further advancements in the entrepreneurial landscape, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs to realize their potential and contribute to Pakistan’s digital future.
