Telenor’s own acceleration program in Pakistan, Velocity, today in a pitching competition, has just announced 8 startups which will be accelerated for the next 6 months. The accelerator started accepting applications for its 2nd Cohort (second batch) in June this year. The deadline was extended to 30th of August and the startups have been finalized.
The eight startups which are shortlisted are listed below.
1. BookMyUmrah
BookMyUmrah is a startup by a Silicon Valley veteran which aims to ease the potential pilgrims with their Umrah. Khurram Mir along with Anjum Chohan, co-founder, and Dr. Aunn, a member of the advisory board, teamed up and formed their startup with the hopes of making the Hajj and Umrah experience better for all Pakistanis. Read more here.
2. Artsy
Artsy basically is a marketplace of local Pakistani artistic masterpieces. Be it the traditional blue art from Multan, or the embroidered shawls from the mountainous areas, Arty lists them all. The buyers can choose from different articles and ship them as a gift as well.
3. Micro Power Labs
Micropower Labs is a technology innovation company focused on creating next generation devices and gadgets for day to day use. Their first introductory product is Flash Pack, which is a Power Bank that charges up in just 14 minutes from your own laptop charger and packs up enough juice to last you for a whole day.
4. Pakshine
A startup previously incubated at LUMS Center for Entrepreneurship, Pakshine’s product is a “Smart Solar Retrofit” device that can convert any ordinary UPS into a Solar Hybrid UPS.
5. Affordable.pk
It is more like an online flee market for fashion lovers, where they can buy trendy and cool stuff at remarkable low price. The startup has previously been incubated at PlanX.
6. Perk up
PerkUp provides customer loyalty and engagement services to other business and consumers directly. For the consumers, it helps in getting loyalty rewards from different businesses in the country, where consumers can also get loyalty cards directly from the startup that works at different brand outlets. For businesses, it offers a completely customized loyalty program to encourage loyal customers to visit more often. The startup has already raised 150,000 dollars from DotZero and CresVentures.
7. Daastan
Basically, an enabling platform, Dastaan works for the revival of Pakistani literature. They connect writers with different opportunities for career growth. They have a significant presence on the social media platforms and work as a for-profit organization. The startup has previously been incubated at Plan9.
8. Sukoon.com.pk
Sukoon is the online, one-stop solution for hiring highly skilled and background verified workers (electricians, plumbers, masons, carpenters, and painters). It was previously incubated at P@SHA’s Tech Incubator.
A number of incubators and accelerators have sprung up in the country, spurred on by the outburst of entrepreneurial prowess shown by the youth of this country. Known for its innovative programs like the recently-held IoT Expo and Telenor Youth Forum, this is another good step by the telecom operator to empower the entrepreneurs of Pakistan.
