Ignite National Technology Fund, operating under the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, has initiated the establishment of a dedicated incubation platform aimed at strengthening women’s participation in Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. The Women Innovation and Startup Empowerment Lab (WISE Lab) has been announced with a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) for firms interested in setting up and managing the facility.
According to project details, the WISE Lab will be based in Islamabad, offering an incubation space between 8,000 to 10,000 square feet with the capacity to host at least 20 women-led startups at any given time. This dedicated space will provide a structured environment where female entrepreneurs can access resources, mentorship, and professional networks critical for scaling their businesses.
Beyond physical incubation, the initiative includes training programs designed to reach women entrepreneurs across all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Each year, the program aims to train around 200 female micro-entrepreneurs through in-person bootcamps. These sessions will cover core business development, digital literacy, and investment readiness skills, while also addressing persistent barriers such as limited access to capital and professional connections.
A professional management team, appointed through the bidding process, will oversee the lab’s operations. Their responsibilities will include managing incubation cycles, organizing training programs, fostering investor connections, and tracking measurable outcomes from participating startups. The program also ensures opportunities for funding: up to five high-performing startups each year will be eligible for grants of up to Rs. 2 million to support scaling efforts.
The WISE Lab initiative aligns with Pakistan’s commitments under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in advancing gender equality, promoting inclusive economic growth, and expanding women’s role in innovation-driven industries. Official statistics underscore the urgency of such interventions: only 24.5 percent of women in Pakistan are active in the labor force, and just 1 percent engage in entrepreneurship, compared to 21 percent of men. Addressing this gap is a central objective of Ignite’s new project.
Interested firms have until November 13, 2025, to submit technical and financial proposals via the national e-procurement system. Final selection will follow a quality-and-cost evaluation process, ensuring that the chosen partner can deliver high-impact results. Ignite will provide funding, oversight, and performance monitoring to ensure that WISE Lab delivers on its promise of empowering women entrepreneurs.
Ignite has built a reputation as a key enabler of Pakistan’s digital and innovation ecosystem. Known for supporting deep tech projects and managing the National Incubation Centers (NICs) across the country, the organization has played a critical role in nurturing startups with access to grants, mentorship, and global exposure. The launch of WISE Lab marks another significant addition to its portfolio, with a sharper focus on addressing gender imbalances in entrepreneurship.
By offering structured incubation, targeted training, and financial grants, WISE Lab represents a comprehensive attempt to reshape the landscape of women-led entrepreneurship in Pakistan. For female innovators and startup founders, it provides not only a space but also the tools and opportunities to transform ideas into scalable ventures.
