The National Incubation Center (NIC) Karachi graduated 28 startups from its 13th cohort during a ceremony attended by government officials, industry representatives, and academic leaders in Karachi.
The centre operates under Ignite, an initiative of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, supporting startups through structured incubation, mentorship programmes, and access to industry networks.
Project Director Syed Azfar Hussain said the graduating startups reached an important milestone after receiving consistent mentorship, operational support, and guidance to prepare for market entry.
He said the centre continues working with Ignite and the ministry to promote entrepreneurship, strengthen innovation, and support emerging startups contributing to Pakistan’s economic development.
Ignite General Manager Projects Muhammad Bilal Abbasi said National Incubation Centers across major cities provide platforms enabling startups to develop practical, technology-driven solutions for local and international markets.
He said the graduating cohort reflects progress in Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, supported by mentorship, funding access, and industry linkages helping startups scale and compete globally.
Federal Secretary IT and Telecommunication Zarrar Hasham Khan said the incubation process enables entrepreneurs to test, refine, and transform ideas into viable businesses through structured programmes.
He said the ministry is connecting startups with global opportunities and emphasised the importance of adopting artificial intelligence technologies to improve productivity and competitiveness in international markets.
Additional Secretary IT Rafique Ahmed Buriro and NED University Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Noman Ahmed attended the ceremony, reflecting institutional support for innovation initiatives.
Startup founders presented testimonials describing their experiences, highlighting mentorship, industry exposure, and access to networks that supported the development of scalable and sustainable business models.
The ceremony concluded with certificate distribution, where officials presented certificates to representatives of the graduating startups marking completion of the incubation programme at the centre.
Since its inception, the centre has incubated over 440 startups, reporting more than one million jobs created, Rs12 billion revenues generated, and Rs13 billion investments raised.
