NIC Karachi Hosts Cohort 15 Induction Pitching Session with Industry Leaders Evaluating Startups

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The National Incubation Center Karachi continued its Cohort 15 induction activities with an Action Hour Pitching session, bringing together a panel of experienced industry professionals to assess promising startups seeking a place in the upcoming cohort. Held on March 12, 2026, at NIC Karachi, the session formed part of the multi-day evaluation process designed to identify innovative and scalable ventures for incubation.

During the fourth day of the pitching sessions, a distinguished group of judges representing diverse sectors of the technology and corporate ecosystem evaluated startup founders presenting their ideas and business models. The panel included Asif Pervez, Founder and CEO of galaxefi Solutions Private Ltd.; Moaz Nasir, Expert Partnerships and Collaborations at Ignite – National Technology Fund; Inam ur Rahman, Founder of Irtiqa Consulting; Jamil Ur Rehman, Senior General Manager and Chief Technology and Information Officer at Sui Southern Gas Company Limited; and Azka Rehman, Manager Change Management at Pakistan Single Window.

The induction pitching sessions are designed to provide early-stage founders with the opportunity to present their ideas, demonstrate product potential, and highlight the market viability of their startups before a panel of experienced evaluators. The judges assess each startup on various factors including innovation, scalability, product-market fit, business strategy, and the founding team’s ability to execute their vision. Through this process, NIC Karachi aims to identify startups that can benefit most from the incubation center’s mentorship, resources, and ecosystem support.

NIC Karachi has emerged as one of Pakistan’s prominent incubation platforms, playing a key role in nurturing early-stage startups and strengthening the country’s growing technology ecosystem. Its structured induction process typically involves multiple stages, including application reviews, interviews, and live pitching sessions such as the Action Hour Pitching. These stages help ensure that the selected startups demonstrate strong potential to build impactful and sustainable technology solutions.

The panel for Day 4 represented a blend of entrepreneurial, corporate, and public sector expertise. Asif Pervez brought insights from building and scaling technology companies, while Moaz Nasir contributed perspectives from Ignite – National Technology Fund, an organization supporting innovation and technology development across Pakistan. Inam ur Rahman shared experience from consulting and strategic advisory roles, while Jamil Ur Rehman provided industry knowledge from one of the country’s major energy utilities. Azka Rehman added expertise from Pakistan Single Window, a digital trade facilitation initiative aimed at modernizing cross-border commerce processes.

Startups pitching during the session represented a variety of technology-driven ideas aimed at addressing market gaps and introducing innovative solutions across different industries. The evaluation sessions allow founders to receive feedback from experienced professionals while refining their strategies before entering the incubation program.

The event also reflects collaboration among several ecosystem stakeholders supporting the National Incubation Center Karachi. NIC Karachi operates with the support of Ministry of IT and Telecommunication Pakistan and Ignite – National Technology Fund, while ecosystem partners including LMKT, LuckyOne Mall, and Orbit Ventures contribute to enabling innovation, mentorship, and startup growth opportunities.

Through initiatives such as the Cohort 15 induction process, NIC Karachi continues to provide a platform for emerging founders to transform their ideas into viable technology ventures, strengthening Pakistan’s startup ecosystem and encouraging innovation-driven entrepreneurship.

Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.

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