NIC Islamabad continues to demonstrate its commitment to nurturing startups that make a global impact, with EKKO emerging as a prominent example of HealthTech innovation. Co-founded by Ismail Nasir, EKKO develops intelligent digital health solutions designed to connect patients, healthcare practitioners, and medical institutions, making care delivery smarter, faster, and more human-centered. The startup has recently been selected among the Top-8 Pakistani startups through the Pathfinder Group Pakistan CITADEL Pakistan DAVOS Startup Challenge 2026, earning the opportunity to represent Pakistan at Davos, Switzerland, a platform that brings together leading innovators and global decision-makers.
Ismail Nasir has been instrumental in shaping EKKO’s mission to transform healthcare in Pakistan and beyond. By leveraging digital technology, AI, and connected platforms, EKKO aims to simplify interactions between patients and medical providers while enabling data-driven decision-making for hospitals and clinics. The solutions offered by EKKO not only enhance operational efficiency but also improve the overall patient experience, reflecting a modern approach to healthcare where technology and human-centered design converge. This selection for Davos highlights the potential for Pakistani HealthTech startups to create solutions that address both local and global challenges.
The journey of EKKO underscores the role of NIC Islamabad in providing startups with more than just resources. Through mentorship, structured programs, and exposure to networks that span local and international markets, founders like Ismail Nasir are able to refine their solutions, validate product-market fit, and scale with confidence. NIC Islamabad’s ecosystem is designed to support startups through critical growth phases, offering guidance on strategy, execution, and global readiness. In the case of EKKO, this support has enabled the startup to prepare for international showcases such as Davos, ensuring it is ready to communicate its value and impact to a global audience.
EKKO’s participation at Davos also signals the broader potential of HealthTech in Pakistan. As startups integrate AI, digital platforms, and data analytics into healthcare, the sector can benefit from improved efficiency, reduced operational gaps, and enhanced access to quality care. By representing Pakistan on the world stage, EKKO demonstrates that local startups are not only capable of innovating for domestic markets but also contributing to global solutions in healthcare technology. This milestone is a reflection of what is possible when founders are supported by the right ecosystem, mentorship, and exposure, and it highlights NIC Islamabad’s role in empowering startups to achieve international recognition.
For Ismail Nasir and the EKKO team, the focus remains on scaling intelligent health solutions that make care more accessible and effective. The startup’s journey reflects the growing maturity of Pakistan’s HealthTech ecosystem and the impact that carefully nurtured ventures can have both nationally and globally. NIC Islamabad continues to support startups like EKKO, providing the platform, resources, and mentorship necessary to transform innovative ideas into ventures capable of creating tangible impact across sectors and borders.
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