Keeping up with Pakistan’s thriving startup industry, Mobilink has announced the launch of their very own incubator. Jazz’s ‘National Incubation Center’ will be set up under the National ICT R&D Fund and will be aligned with the government’s vision of a Digital Pakistan.
Mobilink will be operating their incubator in collaboration with their service delivery partner Team Up. The operations are expected to be headed by veterans like Zouhair Khaliq and Pervaiz Abbasi. Jazz’s National Incubation Center will start scouting for startups around July 2016.
Jeffrey Hedberg, CEO Mobilink, upon signing the MoU with the ICT R&D Fund said,
“This is the time for Pakistani startups to take charge of their digital destiny and it gives us immense pleasure to be working with the Government of Pakistan in building the foundation of a sustainable tech ecosystem. A joint public-private partnership provides resources and expertise to enable young entrepreneurs to fulfill their potential and assists them in making their mark across the communities of Pakistan.”
The incubation center , under the ‘Jazz XLR8 Program’, will provide state-of-the-art incubation facilities and give the incubatees access to experts and advisors, will The program aims to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors
This initiative is also aligned with VimpelCom’s group-wide ‘Make Your Mark’ (MYM) program. Under the program Mobilink has collaborated with LUMS Center for Entrepreneurship (LCE) to provide support and mentorship to 15 startups currently incubated there. VimpelCom and its operating companies are working across the globe to enhance entrepreneurial ecosystem and to provide guidance to the new generation of digital entrepreneurs. Similar programs are also being implemented in Eurasia, Algeria, Italy, and Bangladesh.
Pakistan’s telco’s are showing a keen interest in technology and entrepreneurship. Telenor recently announced the launch of their very own accelerator Telenor Velocity. Following that, they also released 11 new tech products at their first ever Digtal Festival. Ufone is also not far behind. They also introduced their Iot smartwatch a few months back. Needless to say, that Pakistan’s tech and startup industry is thriving and our telco’s are actively playing their part.
