National incubation Center invites first round of applications from startups

Startups from across the country are invited to apply for the first round of incubation program of National Incubation Center (NIC) from December 8, 2016.

The program will provide a conducive environment to the budding startups of the country by facilitating them with free workspace, incubation, acceleration, funding, industrial mentoring network and access to 50 million plus mobile customers. It will also boost the economic strength of Pakistan. Anusha Rehman, Minister of Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom (MOITT), said,

“The National Incubation Center will provide state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities to foster economic growth through innovation and wealth creation. Through this initiative, we hope to encourage an ecosystem of indigenous product development in the arena of ICTs.”

“National ICT R&D Fund is committed to bring about a technology revolution in Pakistan by motivating both academia and industry to perform research and develop state-of-the-art technologies and software. It will effectively link talent, technology, capital and skill in order to accelerate the development of new businesses and thereby help the commercialization of technology,” said Dr. Syed Ismail Shah, CEO of National ICT R&D Fund and Chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.

Jazz xlr8 is the premium program at NIC which aims to help shape the future generation through exposure and seed funds. Under the Jazz xlr8 program, 5 teams will be taken to the Mobile World Congress in Spain for global recognition. It will provide customer base and a global network of mentors to the entrepreneurs. Aamir Ibrahim, CEO – Mobilink and Warid Pakistan, added,

“Jazz xlr8 provides a launching pad for young entrepreneurs to test and market their ideas into the broader economy. The National Incubation Center with its Jazz xlr8 program provides a great opportunity to Pakistan’s budding entrepreneur community to let the world know about their immense potential, and how they can use this potential to bring a positive change in the society.”

NIC is the first of its kind technology hub, launched under the public-private partnership of MOITT, National ICT R&D Fund, Jazz and Teamup. International and local partners include FbStart, Hult Prize, Invest2Innovate and Acumen Fund.

Teamup is the service delivery partner for this project. It will provide startups with the strategic and operational expertise, mentoring network and investors required to build a successful business.

The application process and other details of the program are available at: http://nicpakistan.pk/