Netsol has made a name for itself over the last two decades as Pakistan’s stellar success story as a product based fintech company, with Fortune 500 auto companies as its primary clientele. Netsol has been involved with rising startups and technology globally for more than 20 years. From 2015, Netsol’s incubation programme Nspire has been formally running to support the growth of Pakistan’s technology and startup ecosystem.
Nspire has supported more than 60 startups throughout this time, hosted thousands of workshops and events, and built a solid reputation, network, and partnerships both inside and outside of Pakistan. Businesses based on cutting-edge technologies have exploded in recent years, with an emphasis on engineering, tourism, education, and social reasons.
Since 2017, Ayub Ghauri has served as the organization’s leader, enabling Nspire to adapt to Pakistan’s rapidly changing environment. With the help of its consortium partners, PAC Kamran, Air University, and Innovators Garage, Nspire filed for and was awarded the new National Incubation Center for Aerospace Technologies (NICAT) this year as a result of his idea.
Ignite (National Technology RnD Fund) is sponsoring the establishment of NICAT, which will be housed in Aviation City Pakistan’s (ACP) recently constructed Alpha Facility at the National Aerospace and Software Technology Park (NASTAP) at Old Chaklala Airport, Rawalpindi.
According to Air Commodore Dr. Liaquatullah Iqbal, SI(M), CEO of ACPPL, ACPPL will support the development of Pakistan’s aerospace-related entrepreneurship eco-system through NASTAP and will encourage the formation of small to large-scale aviation and space-related businesses, research and development facilities, and laboratories at the national level.
Aerospace technologies, high-tech engineering, and deep technologies associated with ICT and connected domains, such as cyber security, AR/VR, CnC systems, etc., will be the key areas of focus for NICAT.
Startups and companies will have the chance to develop or expand their operations thanks to the consortium members and its linked partners. The centre will unite various groups, offer trainings, connections to professionals, mentors, and networks, access to testing and prototyping facilities (PAC Kamra facilities stand out), and eventually partners and investors.
Salim Ghauri, CEO of Netsol, stated at the contract signing last month that NICAT will make ideas connected to aerospace and high-tech ICT into reality in accordance with regional, national, and international demands and trends.
The CEO of Ignite, Asim Shahryar, further emphasised that Pakistan has a significant chance in the $3.5 trillion global aviation business, which is currently estimated. Ayub Ghauri stated, “We at NETSOL are well delighted to lead Aerospace Technology vertical specialised NICAT in NIC ecosystem,” while outlining his goal.
“We will work to highlight the best that Pakistan has to offer in the aerospace sector, whether it be the next generation of drones that allow access to inaccessible locations, improved aircraft fuel efficiency while lowering carbon emissions, enhanced user experience through better simulators, or even better luggage and cargo management, etc. All will be impacted by us. Our goal will be to expand internationally and raise the green flag in the aviation industry,” he continued.
The Center has begun accepting applications online for its initial cohort and is almost finished. Each year, NICAT will host 25 businesses for incubation or acceleration, so we can all anticipate seeing some really intriguing, ground-breaking, and mind-blowing startups pass through.
Imran Jattala, the programme director, who has worked on developing founders and eco-systems for more than 15 years, is in charge of the implementation team. Senior Advisor and seasoned experience in this field AVM (r) Dr. Asad Ikram, who oversaw PAC Kamra during his time in the military, supports him.
