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National Incubation Center (NIC) Karachi has officially opened applications for Cohort 15, offering founders a powerful, government-backed platform to turn ideas and early-stage startups into scalable businesses. The program, powered by Ignite under the Ministry of IT & Telecom, aims to accelerate innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation across Pakistan.
NIC Karachi’s Cohort 15 targets individuals with a startup idea, an MVP, or an already running business. The incubation journey is designed to provide structured learning, expert mentorship, cloud resources, and access to investors helping startups move confidently from concept to scale.
“NIC Karachi has consistently played a key role in strengthening Pakistan’s startup ecosystem by connecting founders with mentors, markets, and capital,” said a representative associated with the program.
Since its inception, NIC Karachi has emerged as one of Pakistan’s leading incubation hubs. Backed by the federal government through Ignite, the center was created to foster innovation, encourage entrepreneurship, and support technology driven solutions to real world problems. Over the years, NIC Karachi has helped hundreds of startups secure investment, generate revenue, and create employment opportunities nationwide.
Under the leadership of Syed Azfar Hussain, NIC Karachi continues to position itself as a launchpad for high-growth startups with global potential.
Startups selected for Cohort 15 will gain access to a curriculum-based incubation program, one on one mentorship from industry experts, and extensive networking opportunities with venture capitalists, angel investors, and corporate partners. At the acceleration stage, eligible startups can also receive grants of up to PKR 5 million, along with cloud credits from Google and AWS to support product development and scaling.
An Investor Summit will further allow founders to pitch their ideas directly to potential investors, increasing their chances of fundraising and strategic partnerships.
NIC Karachi encourages applications from students, professionals, first-time founders, and experienced entrepreneurs alike. There is no age restriction. Any innovative idea that addresses a real market problem is welcome.
“Great startups can come from anywhere. What matters is innovation, commitment, and the will to solve real problems,” the NIC team emphasized.
With applications now open, Cohort 15 is expected to attract a diverse range of startups from fintech and healthtech to e-commerce, AI, and climate solutions. For many founders, this cohort could mark the beginning of a transformative startup journey.
