Ignite National Technology Fund is calling on Pakistani startups to apply for the opportunity to represent Pakistan at GISEC Global 2026, one of the region’s leading cybersecurity events, scheduled to take place from September 16 to 18, 2026, in Dubai, UAE. The call for applications specifically invites startups working in cybersecurity, AI security, digital trust, cloud security, privacy and critical infrastructure protection to apply for sponsorship to participate in the event.
Startups selected through the application process will have the opportunity to showcase their solutions on a global stage, connect directly with investors and industry leaders attending the event, and explore international markets beyond Pakistan’s domestic technology sector. Ignite has framed the opportunity as a way for participating startups to unlock new growth pathways that come from exposure to a larger, more internationally connected audience than most are likely to encounter through domestic events alone.
GISEC Global has established itself as a significant fixture on the regional cybersecurity calendar, drawing participants and exhibitors from across the industry to Dubai each year. Pakistan’s continued push to send startups to international platforms of this kind reflects a broader strategy by Ignite and the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication to position the country’s technology sector, and its cybersecurity capabilities specifically, in front of international investors and industry stakeholders who might not otherwise engage directly with Pakistani startups.
The focus areas named in the call, spanning cybersecurity, AI security, digital trust, cloud security, privacy and critical infrastructure protection, reflect a fairly comprehensive view of the modern cybersecurity landscape, suggesting Ignite is looking to identify startups working across different layers of the sector rather than narrowing the opportunity to a single specialisation. This breadth could help ensure Pakistan is represented by a range of solutions addressing different aspects of digital security when the delegation attends the event in September.
Applications for sponsorship to attend GISEC Global 2026 are open until August 19, 2026, giving interested startups a defined window to submit their applications ahead of the event later in September. Startups working in the specified focus areas can apply through the link provided by Ignite. Apply: https://ignite.org.pk/gisec2026/
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
