The National Incubation Centre Karachi, based at NED University, has completed the programme for 25 startups in its 14th cohort. The graduation adds another milestone to the effort to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation across Pakistan.
The centre is an initiative of Ignite, which operates under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication. Government officials, university representatives, industry stakeholders and startup founders attended the ceremony held to mark the occasion.
Project director points to peer learning and diverse talent
Syed Azfar Hussain, project director at NIC Karachi, addressed the gathering and said the progress the startups had made over the previous year was a source of pride. He pointed to peer learning, teamwork and community building as tools that helped entrepreneurs grow their companies.
Hussain said the graduating group reflected a wide mix of talent, personal backgrounds and business experience. He also stressed the regional spread of the 25 startups and the different paths their founders had taken. He congratulated the founders and encouraged them to keep the professional contacts they built during incubation as they expanded.
NED University and Sindh officials back startup growth
Dr Danish ur Rehman Khan, technical assistant to the vice-chancellor at NED University of Engineering and Technology, praised the work of the Ministry of IT, Ignite and the NIC Karachi team. He said the initiative started with the goal of creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and had grown into an established incubation programme despite obstacles, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Danish credited cooperation between NED University, the Sindh government, NIC Karachi and the federal IT ministry as a key reason for the centre’s development. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to giving entrepreneurs resources and opportunities to grow their businesses and bring new ideas to market.
Ali Rashid, special assistant to the Sindh chief minister for science, information and technology, attended as chief guest. He said digital platforms and artificial intelligence were opening new ways for entrepreneurs to build skills, gain knowledge and reach international markets. He urged founders to engage with government departments, seek links with local and international investors and explore partnerships. Rashid also reaffirmed the Sindh government’s support for entrepreneurship and innovation, saying startups had a role to play in the country’s economic development.
Founder testimonials and certificates close the ceremony
The event included testimonials from founders, who described their entrepreneurial journeys, major milestones and success stories. The programme ended with a certificate presentation, in which the distinguished guests handed certificates to each of the graduating startups.
