Pakistan is one of the final frontier markets. With a population of 229.5 million people, mostly consisting of young population and a burgeoning middle class, Pakistan has the makings of a strong startup environment. The country offers a unique climate in which the youth are brimming with potential, enthusiasm, and ideas, and are becoming increasingly engaged in the startup culture. If you're an ambitious entrepreneur, this is your chance to get involved in Pakistan's startup ecosystem.
In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of startup incubators and accelerators in Pakistan. They have been subdivided into applicability for startups in their 'ideation', 'launch', or 'growth' stages, so whichever stage you're in, you would be able to find a program that suits you!
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FULL LIST OF STARTUP INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS IN PAKISTAN
Ideation Stage Startup Incubators in Pakistan
The complete list of startup incubators in Pakistan:
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Mobile, BioTech, Education, Robotics, Food, Fashion, Creative City
Peshawar 2.0 is a social venture dedicated to the development of a startup community in Peshawar, the capital city of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. They collaborate with entrepreneurs, startups, angel investors, private sector, and the government to assist in the development of homegrown solutions to local challenges. Their incubator, Revolt, offers a program that involves world-class curriculum customized to local setting that is administered by partners, as well as deep-rooted community and free space at their coworking space, Basecamp. Since its founding in 2017, they have taught over 22,000 individuals and helped over 60 firms get started.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Established in 2016, National Incubation Center is the first incubator to operate in Pakistan, created to advance the idea of a digital Pakistan. Financed by Ignite - National Technology Fund, the incubator offers a one-year program that follows an entrepreneur's lifecycle from beginning to end. Through the program, startups may receive a customized curriculum, mentoring, commercialization support, networking opportunities, and access to their shared working space with cutting-edge facilities.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
ASPIRE Pakistan is a non-profit organization created with the goal to create a socially and economically prosperous Pakistan via innovation and entrepreneurship. To accelerate the growth of Pakistan's knowledge economy, they arrange a number of startup initiatives that involve key stakeholders in the startup ecosystem. Some of their initiatives are Pakistan 100 which trains, mentors, advises, and provides initial funding for young entrepreneurs, and Startup Pakistan, an entrepreneurship training program for university students to understand the fundamentals of business.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
TeamUp is an innovation hub that provides incubation and acceleration programs as well as seed funding for young entrepreneurs. From initiation to exit, they will guide you in the right direction and provide you with the necessary assistance to get your company concept off the ground. They will assist you in producing a prototype or business model and complete all the necessary elements for pitching; in areas including set up, feasibility, and initial strategy, business planning, execution, governance and optimisation, and exit.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The Start Technology Incubation Center by the Desk is a program designed to assist local entrepreneurs in launching their tech firms. The program will provide business counseling, training, expert assistance, and technical assistance from seasoned entrepreneurs to assist in their business development. The program will also provide networking opportunities to connect entrepreneurs with investors and pitch their companies. Hosted by theDesk coworking space, one of the main advantages of participating in this program is that you will receive access to state-of-the-art equipment and modern facilities for your needs.
Launch Stage Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Pakistan
The complete list of launch phase incubators and startup accelerators in Pakistan:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The National Incubation Center Peshawar was established in 2017 under the auspices of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications. By serving as a platform for innovators and investors, the center hopes to encourage and support budding entrepreneurs from the region to grow and scale. They offer world-class programs for startups at the ideation (Hatchery), launch (Incubation), and growth (Acceleration Plus) that is tailored to Pakistan and carefully combined with local knowledge, coached by leading mentors and startup ecosystem drivers.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic, Agriculture, Energy, Peace Building, Women Empowerment, Food and Nutrition, FinTech
Present in 61 Chapters spread across 14 Countries, TIE is a non-profit global community that fuels the ideas of entrepreneurs worldwide. TiE's regional hubs facilitate innovation by providing mentorship, networking, education, incubation, and finance; creating the ideal atmosphere for startup ideation, launch, and development.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: HealthTech, EdTech, FinTech, Ecommerce, IoT/AI, SaaS, Blockchain, AgriTech, Tourism
The National Expansion Plan of NICs is an initiative of PITB and MoITT that aims to construct Pakistan's largest technology incubation center. In collaboration with public institutions, the organization has established incubation centers in six regions and thirteen sites; establishing an integrated ecosystem of startups throughout the country. Their flagship program is The Launchpad, a 6-month incubation program that will provide selected participants with mentorship from experts in academia, industry, and a variety of technology domains, as well as business development assistance.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea & seeking cofounders / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Founder Institute is an acclaimed global accelerator that drives entrepreneurs from idea to startups to global enterprises. Their flagship FI Core program is targeted at ideation and pre-seed phases to assist them in achieving the milestones required for funding and long-term growth. They can also assist you whether you have a concept, are developing an MVP, or already have a business with early profits. Their organized programs provide entrepreneurs with clarity on their next steps, critical feedback on their decisions, and access to a worldwide network to help them expand.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
To uncover, support, and scale Pakistan's greatest businesses, Jazz xlr8 offers a bespoke curriculum, mentor network, Jazz services, and worldwide networks. Each startup will be provided with a custom-designed program that is tailored to their needs, assisted with relevant subject matter experts and domain specialists in a variety of disciplines. You'll receive training in areas such as Design Thinking, UI/UX, Marketing, Communications, and more.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
With the goal to develop a robust and sustainable startup ecosystem in Pakistan, JumpStart offers a number of startup initiatives to educate and scale startups and promote an entrepreneurial mindset to the populace. Since their establishment in 2014, they are now active in 15 locations across Pakistan, with 11 chapters worldwide, and are collaborating with 50+ colleges to build a business ecosystem.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Social / Environmental Impact
Since 2011, Invest2Innovate has been working in Pakistan to support entrepreneurial communities through its flagship program, the i2i Accelerator. The four-month intensive accelerator focuses on entrepreneurs from throughout Pakistan who require specific assistance and support systems to help them gain traction and become more investment ready. Through the accelerator, startups may gain access to a virtual CFO that will advise on accounting processes and financial dashboards, access to a research fellow that will assist in market research, and access to i2i's diverse investor network.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Social Technology
SEED Ventures (Social, Entrepreneurship, and Equity Development) is a social impact ecosystem developer and impact investor committed to creating an environment in which social entrepreneurs may thrive and social impact can expand. They establish an enabling ecosystem by increasing entrepreneurial ability, fostering innovation, connecting to markets, and providing access to capital. They organize a few initiatives that engage with potential, aspiring, and current entrepreneurs to support social enterprise development.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Founded by the Punjab Information Technology Board, Plan9 is the first tech incubator in Pakistan, built with the goal to secure the long-term success of early-stage, tech-product-based entrepreneurs. The Launchpad is their flagship program where they induct 15 businesses chosen through a competition to attend their Incubation program. The incubation program involves mentorship, business model development, and product development, as well asprovide opportunities for networking and investments.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
PlanX is an accelerator aimed at mid-stage technology entrepreneurs to assist them in developing high impact enterprises. The six-month equity-free program provides startups with specialized mentorship with technical and practical advice on specific business needs, as well as trainings and seminars led by industry professionals for business development. As a participants, startups will be equipped with the resources they need to reach their target market and scale their operations in a competitive market. Startups will also gain access to numerous funding sources and strategic network partnerships.
Growth Stage Accelerators in Pakistan
The complete list of growth stage accelerators in Pakistan:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Agritech, Edtech, Health Tech, Fintech, IoT
Telenor Velocity is a corporate accelerator program by Telenor, the second largest digital services provider in Pakistan. The program is targeted at growth-stage firms designed to help them scale and monetize. During the program, startups will get assistnace in data analytis and product development, as well as gain opportunities for pilots with Telenor. Startups may also leverage access to Telenor's 49 million consumers, huge retail network, and Telenor Pakistan's IoT cloud platform.
Closing Thoughts on Joining a Startup Accelerator or Incubator in Pakistan
Thanks to the government's involvement in supporting startups and influx of local venture funds and foreign investments, Pakistan's ecosystem is solifying their grounds in the sector. With a dedicated community of investors, technologists, and entrepreneurs devoting time and money to realizing the sector's full potential, Pakistan's startups are witnessing remarkable development. The rise of startups in Pakistan has the potential to upend the country's economy; one you can also partake in by joining an accelerator or incubator program in Pakistan.