The application deadline for the Prime Minister’s Cloud Program for Startups has been extended, providing Pakistani tech startups with additional time to apply for one of the country’s flagship digital enablement initiatives. The program, implemented by Ignite – National Technology Fund under Ministry of IT & Telecom, will now accept applications until February 20, 2026. The extension is aimed at enabling a broader pool of innovators to benefit from cloud infrastructure support as they scale technology-driven products and services.
The Prime Minister’s Cloud Program for Startups is designed to strengthen Pakistan’s digital innovation ecosystem by reducing infrastructure barriers faced by early and growth-stage technology companies. Through a competitive selection process, the initiative will support up to 100 tech startups, helping them adopt cloud services critical for scalability, performance, and security. By extending the deadline, Ignite is creating additional opportunity for founders who may still be preparing their applications or assessing how cloud adoption fits into their growth strategy.
Under the program structure, selected startups will be eligible for support through two reimbursement tiers, allowing them to offset costs associated with cloud infrastructure usage. This approach enables startups to experiment, build, and scale without the immediate financial burden that often accompanies cloud deployment. Cloud services play an increasingly central role in product development, data management, artificial intelligence, and platform reliability, making access to such resources a key enabler for competitive tech ventures.
Ignite, operating under Ministry of IT & Telecom, has positioned the Prime Minister’s Cloud Program as part of a broader national effort to promote technology entrepreneurship and digital transformation. By focusing on cloud adoption, the program aligns with global trends where startups leverage scalable infrastructure to accelerate product development cycles and expand into new markets. The initiative also reflects policy-level recognition of the importance of digital infrastructure in supporting innovation-led economic growth.
The program is open to technology startups building solutions across a range of sectors, provided they meet eligibility criteria defined by Ignite. Through competitive selection, participating startups are expected to demonstrate both technical capability and growth potential. The reimbursement-based model encourages responsible usage of cloud resources while ensuring that public funds are directed toward ventures with clear deployment plans and measurable outcomes.
For many Pakistani startups, access to cloud infrastructure remains a critical challenge due to cost sensitivity and limited early-stage capital. Programs such as the Prime Minister’s Cloud Program address this gap by enabling founders to allocate resources toward product refinement, customer acquisition, and talent development rather than infrastructure overheads. The extension of the application deadline reflects sustained interest from the startup community and an intent to maximize participation across regions and sectors.
The initiative also contributes to the broader objective of strengthening Pakistan’s position within the global digital economy. By enabling startups to build on modern cloud platforms, the program supports the development of export-ready products and services that can compete internationally. This infrastructure-first approach is increasingly seen as foundational for startups working in areas such as software-as-a-service, artificial intelligence, fintech, and data-driven platforms.
Startups interested in applying are encouraged to submit their applications through the official link provided by Ignite before the revised deadline of February 20, 2026. With extended time now available, founders have an opportunity to align their technical needs with the program’s support structure and become part of a national initiative focused on accelerating digital innovation and cloud adoption across Pakistan’s growing startup ecosystem.
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