Most startups don’t collapse because their ideas are weak. They struggle because they lack the right ecosystem to grow, refine, and scale their vision. That is where the National Incubation Center Islamabad (NIC Islamabad) plays a transformative role.
Funded by Ignite National Technology Fund under the Ministry of IT & Telecommunications, NIC Islamabad provides structured support to founders building in AI, Deep-Tech, HealthTech, Climate-Tech, FinTech, AgriTech, Cybersecurity, SaaS, and other emerging sectors. The focus is clear: help startups move beyond early traction and build companies ready for serious, sustainable growth.
Pakistan’s AI ecosystem is accelerating rapidly, and NIC Islamabad startups are increasingly at the forefront of that momentum.
At the Indus AI Week Competition 2026, NIC Islamabad startups ranked among the national winners in the AI Wrapper category. Axon Whale secured 1st place, while SafetyX Pro earned 2nd Runner-Up position, standing out among 183 applications nationwide.
In the finals of URAAN AI Techathon 1.0, Pakistan’s first national AI-focused innovation competition organized by the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives (MoPDSI), NIC startup Strydex Robotics emerged as the Gold Champion.
At the World Startup Championship (WSC) under the SEE Pakistan platform, organized by the Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP), NIC Islamabad startup EKKO became the overall champion in the Growth Stage, while Strydex Robotics won in the Ideas Stage.
These achievements reflect quality and capability, but they represent only a fraction of a much larger journey. The real objective is building scalable companies that can attract investment, compete globally, and create lasting impact.
NIC startups are now representing Pakistan on major global platforms such as GITEX Global and Citadel at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Notably, three out of eight Pakistani startups selected, Edversity, EKKO, and AI Team Force, were from NIC Islamabad.
Such transitions from national recognition to international exposure are not accidental. They happen when founders operate within a structured, supportive ecosystem.
At NIC Islamabad, the emphasis goes beyond exposure. The program provides hands-on mentorship, access to global experts, and the internationally recognized Founder Institute curriculum. In its first three cohorts, NIC Islamabad incubated 89 startups. Out of these, 10 have collectively raised over $2.5 million in funding, and 54 startups (60 percent) are already in the market actively selling products and services.
This is how long-term startup transformation is built. Startups like Regen are reshaping device upgrades through instant trade-in solutions and partnerships with global brands such as Samsung. Najoomi is enabling AI-powered customer engagement automation and has represented Pakistan at LEAP KSA and GITEX. In healthcare, EMRChains is improving hospital-patient communication using AI-driven tools. Meanwhile, EKKO is expanding access to speech therapy for children through intelligent, scalable solutions.
These companies did not just gain visibility. They gained mentorship, structure, and ecosystem support strong enough to help them compete globally.
NIC Islamabad operates on a 0 percent equity model, allowing founders to retain full ownership while accessing mentorship, investor networks, and a growth-focused environment.
The mission is simple: help founders build companies strong enough to scale, raise capital, and expand beyond borders.
If you are building in AI, Deep-Tech, HealthTech, Climate-Tech, FinTech, AgriTech, Cybersecurity, SaaS, or any tech-driven sector and are ready to take your startup further, NIC Islamabad offers the ecosystem to match your ambition.
Cohort 5 applications close on 20 February.
