NIC Hyderabad recently marked a major milestone by celebrating its third anniversary alongside the graduation of 32 startups from Cohorts 4 and 5. The occasion, held in Hyderabad, served as both a recognition of entrepreneurial progress in Sindh and a testament to Pakistan’s growing innovation landscape.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja attended as chief guest and delivered a strong message of encouragement to the graduating founders. She emphasized that startups across Pakistan are shaping the country’s digital future and that government-backed programs are critical in equipping young entrepreneurs with tools, mentorship, and infrastructure to build scalable ventures.
The anniversary event brought together leaders from across the innovation ecosystem, including Rafique A. Buriro, CEO Ignite; Prof. Dr. Khalil-ur-Rehman Khoumbati, Vice Chancellor University of Sindh; Dr. Tauha Hussain Ali, Vice Chancellor Mehran University of Engineering and Technology; Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal, Vice Chancellor Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam; Umar Farooqi, Group Director PTCL; Faisal Jamil, Managing Director LMKR; Muhammad Bilal Abbasi, General Manager Ignite; Muhammad Umer Akram, Project Manager Ignite; Faysal Malik, General Manager Monitoring Ignite; and Asim Ishaq Khan, Vice President LMKT. Their participation underscored the importance of collaboration between government, academia, corporates, and incubators in building Pakistan’s startup ecosystem.
The ceremony highlighted success stories from startups working across sectors such as agri-tech, clean energy, e-commerce, and digital services. A startup showcase and networking sessions allowed founders to share their journeys, challenges, and future ambitions with the wider community. For many, it was a moment of validation, demonstrating how ideas nurtured at NIC Hyderabad are now scaling across Pakistan.
Project Director NIC Hyderabad Syed Sana Shah has previously highlighted the center’s impact, noting that over 150 startups have been incubated at NIC Hyderabad since its establishment, collectively generating over Rs. 1 billion in revenue, securing Rs. 470 million in investment, and creating more than 4,000 jobs. These figures reinforce the center’s role in turning Hyderabad into a hub of entrepreneurial activity outside the country’s largest metropolitan centers.
The graduation of Cohorts 4 and 5 reaffirmed the belief that bold ideas can take root in Hyderabad and expand nationally. Certificates were distributed among the graduating founders, celebrating their progress and contributions to Pakistan’s innovation economy.
The event also reflected NIC Hyderabad’s continued mission to empower entrepreneurs and inspire the next wave of changemakers. With the support of MoITT, Ignite, PTCL, LMKT, and other ecosystem partners, the incubation center has established itself as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s innovation framework, enabling youth to pursue entrepreneurship as a viable career path.
By celebrating three years of growth and the success of its startups, NIC Hyderabad showcased how regional incubation centers can play a transformative role in advancing Pakistan’s digital and entrepreneurial vision.