KARACHI: More than 125 startups are competing for selection in the 13th Cohort of the National Incubation Centre (NIC) Karachi at NED University of Engineering and Technology (NEDUET). The event, which began on Wednesday and runs until Friday, March 21, features a ten-day series of pitching rounds, where startups present their ideas to industry experts and investors.
A panel of judges, consisting of investors and tech professionals, will shortlist 35–40 startups from the initial 125–150 applicants. Each startup is given five minutes to pitch its idea, followed by a five-minute Q&A session.
The event has brought together over 60 industry experts, investors, and corporate partners to assess and evaluate the participating startups. On the eighth day, the focus was on industrial automation, with startups presenting innovations in robotics, smart infrastructure, and next-generation manufacturing to address Pakistan’s industrial needs.
Industry professionals, including Khalid Pervez (KPWS Consulting), Nida Farid (Save Joules), Saadia Kazmi (Watsun Engineering & Solutions), and Iftikhar Arif (M&P Logistics), reviewed 17 startups in this sector. Evaluators acknowledged the potential of local startups to offer cost-effective alternatives to expensive imported products and contribute to Pakistan’s economy through exports and foreign revenue generation.
Some of the notable startups featured include:
The event is now in its final two days, focusing on financial technology (Thursday) and cybersecurity (Friday). Fintech startups will present solutions in digital payments, financial inclusion, blockchain technology, and AI-powered banking. Cybersecurity startups will showcase advancements in data encryption, network security, and AI-driven risk mitigation.
NIC Karachi Project Director Syed Azfar Hussain highlighted the growing number of applications, noting that the initiative provides a platform for innovative founders tackling real-world challenges with technology-driven solutions.
The grand finale on March 21 will conclude with the final selection of startups that will move forward in the NIC Karachi incubation program.