Latest news with #NationalIncubationCenter
Business Recorder
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
UAF holds ‘Startup Graduation Ceremony'
FAISALABAD: The National Incubation Center (NIC) established at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) on Monday organised Startup Graduation Ceremony in which 11 startups graduated for cohort 4. The ceremony was meant to highlight a significant milestone in the NICF continued efforts and contribution to foster entrepreneurship and support young innovators. Coordinator to Prime Minister on Commerce Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan as chief guest said the government was committed to flourish innovative projects aimed at uplifting the country and maximize national progress. He said that the government is supporting private sector to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth. He added that these efforts are focused on creating maximum job opportunities for people across the country. UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zulfiqar Ali, in his message, called for honing the innovative and entrepreneurial skills among the young generation that will ultimately pave a way for knowledge based economy. He stressed upon the need to think out-of-the-box to address the challenges and contribute for the development of the country. Ignite National Technology Fund Assistant Manager Moaz Nasir said that it was beginning of a journey where entrepreneurs will shape the future through ideas, resilience and passion. Awais Zaidi form Faisalabad IT Companies Organization (Fitco) said that it is amazing to see that our young startups are not only solving real-world problems but also contributing to the economic development of Pakistan which will play a pivotal role in long run. Head of TMUC Nighat Nasreen lauded the efforts of UAF and said that the university is providing a platform to its students where they are enjoying best possible facilities and opportunities to excel in their relevant fields and make themselves worthy for the nation. NICF Project Director Zeeshan Shahid said startups have successfully tackled critical challenges such as food security, water scarcity, and climate change. He said that since its inception in September 2022, NICF has incubated around 80 startups, generating over 1,100 jobs and contributing significantly to Pakistan's economic growth. Director BIC Dr Iftikhar Ahmad Business Incubation Center said that all-out efforts were being carried out to polish the innovative and startup skills of the students. Three startups of Dr Zaheer Ahmad, Waqar Bin Shahid and Nouman Sandhu were given awards. Graduating startups presented their innovative business models and shared their journeys, challenges and successes during the period. Several startups showcased cutting-edge solutions in agri-tech, education, healthcare and digital services, reflecting the diverse and vibrant entrepreneurial skills. Prominent academic figures, industry leaders, startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs attended the ceremony. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
12-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
10th iteration of Pakistan Investor Summit kicks off in Karachi
National Incubation Center (NIC) Karachi's 'Pakistan Investor Summit 2025 – Summer Edition' kicked off on Monday. It is set to feature some 20 high-growth startups, and bring together more than 100 investors, startups, policy makers, and industry professionals, it said in a statement. The idea is to create space for 'strategic partnerships and transformative funding opportunities', it added. According to a post on LinkedIn, the judges of Day 1's Pitch Fest will be 'none other than the NIC Karachi alumni who've walked the founder journey themselves.' This includes Muhammad Ghayas Ahmedani, CEO of Zaaviaa Solutions, Anusha Shahid, Co-Founder of Muhammad Furqan Karim Kidwai, Director of ASF Tech Partners, Aurangzaib Alamgir, Founder of Porter Pakistan, Sidra Shakeel, Co-Founder of Fortify and Mirza Saad Baig, Founder of Rawts. 'These exceptional individuals have built impactful ventures, raised capital and navigated the startup grind and now, they are back to guide the next generation of founders,' NIC Karachi said in its post. It also said that a high-impact roundtable will feature investors, founders and finance experts exploring early-stage investing, portfolio planning, and risk management. The workshop will feature insights from the, COO of YB Holdings on how smart capital is reshaping investment returns and Farhan Bashir Khan, CEO of Alpha Beta Core on understanding investor risk appetite and return expectations. The event is Funded by the Ignite National Technology Fund under the *Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication. According to its statement, over the past six years, NIC Karachi has incubated 376 startups across fintech, edtech, healthtech, agritech, and industrial tech. These ventures have raised Rs12 billion in investment, generated RsPKR 10 billion in revenue, and created over 1 million jobs, it said. Syed Azfar Hussain, Project Director of NIC Karachi, said: 'This summit reflects our belief that local innovation deserves global capital. We are building bridges between visionary founders and the investors who can help accelerate their journey.' Summit highlights include:
Express Tribune
08-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
‘AI Seekho' takes Karachi by storm: Students engage in Google's AI initiative
Google and GDG Kolachi arranged an inspiring session to learn about AI, machine learning, data science and related disciplines. The event took place at the National Incubation Center (NIC) Karachi – Google, in collaboration with GDG Kolachi, hosted AI Seekho, a groundbreaking initiative designed to equip aspiring professionals with expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Data, and Infrastructure. The event witnessed an overwhelming response, with 100+ attendees actively participating in the sessions. The theme of the event was 'Karachi Walo AI Seekho,' highlighting the importance of AI education for Karachi's tech community. AI Seekho is a Google Cloud initiative, offering a structured curriculum and hands-on training to empower individuals with the skills necessary to excel in the ever-evolving AI landscape. This in-person training program in Karachi brought together industry experts, seasoned mentors, and an expert-led community to provide participants with an immersive learning experience. Through AI Seekho, learners gain practical insights into AI, ML, and cloud-based technologies, helping them build proficiency in leveraging Google Cloud's powerful tools and frameworks. Under the guidance of Arhum Ishtiaq, CTO and Co-founder of ConnectHear, and the GDG Kolachi team—Danella Patrick, Hassam Jawed, Hassan Mujtaba, Aashir Ahmed, Muhammad Ateeb, Hafiz Munim, Fizza Khan, and Huzaifa Habib—participants gained practical knowledge and hands-on experience with AI and ML tools. The program was structured to help individuals build their technical capabilities, enhance problem-solving skills, and engage with a dynamic network of AI practitioners. The Karachi edition of AI Seekho was organized by GDG Kolachi, a leading tech community dedicated to fostering knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and innovation in the region. Through workshops, discussions, and interactive sessions, AI Seekho aimed to bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing real-world applications of AI/ML technologies. 'AI is shaping the future of technology, and with AI Seekho, we want to ensure that Pakistani professionals have access to world-class learning resources and mentorship. This initiative is a step towards creating an AI-driven workforce that can contribute to the global tech ecosystem,' said the GDG Kolachi team. The event featured insightful discussions, live demos, and networking opportunities, making it an unmissable occasion for AI enthusiasts, students, and professionals looking to advance their careers in data science, AI development, and cloud infrastructure. AI Seekho – Google Cloud self-study program In addition to the in-person training, AI Seekho also offers an online Google Cloud self-study program designed for developers in Pakistan. This program provides access to hands-on Google Cloud labs and fosters learning through a supportive community of peers. Participants can explore cutting-edge technologies like Gemini and Vertex AI, develop AI/ML, Data, and Infrastructure skills, and engage with industry experts. To encourage continuous learning, participants can complete the learning challenges between January 23 - February 20, 2025, to qualify for a Google Cloud swag pack. GDG Kolachi remains committed to supporting more developers in joining this initiative and advancing their AI skills. For more details on AI Seekho and how to participate in future events, visit About AI Seekho AI Seekho is a Google Cloud Skills Boost initiative designed to provide hands-on training in AI, ML, and data technologies. The program is tailored for aspiring professionals and students seeking industry-relevant skills to excel in the tech sector. Participants gain access to Google Cloud's AI/ML learning pathways, enabling them to develop expertise in cutting-edge cloud solutions. About GDG Kolachi GDG Kolachi is a vibrant developer community in Pakistan that brings together tech enthusiasts, developers, and industry experts to collaborate, learn, and innovate through meetups, workshops, and large-scale events.
