INCUBATION CENTERS IN PAKISTAN

BILAL GHAFFAR

Attitudes towards entrepreneurship have changed drastically in Pakistan in the past

few years, partly fueled by the success of startups in the region as well as broadening
access to the internet.

Just a couple of years ago, budding entrepreneurs in Pakistan would have found it
difficult to gain access to mentors, business training, and investors due to the lack of
interest in encouraging disruptive startups. Now, however, the landscape has
changed and startup founders have a choice when determining which incubator to
reach out to.

In no particular order, here are some incubators and accelerators making an impact
in Pakistan.

1. Plan9
Based in Lahore, Plan9 initially started in mid-2012 as part of an initiative of the local
provincial government. Since then it has incubated over 60 startups. Plan9 requires
all companies to undergo a rigorous three-month program in which it provides them
with free office space, consultancy, and mentoring. It does not take any equity.

3. LUMS Center for Entrepreneurship

The LUMS Center for Entrepreneurship is a tech incubator associated with the Lahore
University of Management Sciences – arguably Pakistan’s most successful private
sector university. Also located in Lahore, the incubator has a four-month program
where it provides free office space and counseling.

It does take a small equity percentage for each startup accepted into the program,
ostensibly to compensate for the monthly stipend it disburses to each venture.

4. i2i
Located in the scenic capital city of Islamabad, i2i is an accelerator for early and mid-
stage companies looking to make a social impact. The program is spread over four
months but does not require the startups to be present in-house, with the option of
working remotely.
5. PlanX
PlanX is an accelerator based in Lahore that was designed to complement its sister
incubator, Plan9. The program is slightly longer, at six months, but also provides free
office space and consulting without taking equity.

6. Microsoft Innovation Center

The Microsoft Innovation Center has programs in both Lahore and Karachi and is
primarily concerned with harnessing technical skills. It offers accepted startups a
range of free Microsoft enterprise software products, whilst also connecting them
with mentors and coaches.

7. Technology Incubation Center

The Technology Incubation Center is an initiative of the National University of Science
and Technology, located in Islamabad. By virtue of its association with the university,
most of the startups housed in the incubator have a focus on hardware, engineering,
and big data.

It also offers companies free office space and mentorship, taking a small equity
percentage in exchange.

8. DotZero
DotZero is more of a co-working space rather than a full-fledged tech incubator. It
does not offer a structured program but maintains a highly-curated work
environment designed to encourage synergy and cooperation between the startups
housed there.

Its founding members recently launched an angel investment fund to encourage the
growth of the investment landscape in Pakistan.

9. Basecamp
Basecamp operates in a similar vein to DotZero, running an invite-only co-working
facility located in the frontier city of Peshawar. There are a number of events,
including Startup Weekend Peshawar and TEDx Peshawar, and it hopes to foster
entrepreneurship through community-led efforts.

10. Founder Institute

Founder Institute, the Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur training and startup launch
program, runs a local chapter in Karachi and Islamabad.
The program is structured over three and a half months, with companies meeting
once a week. Each startup must contribute 3.5 percent equity to an “options pool” and
pay a one-time fee of US$250 to be accepted.

11. Nspire
Nspire is a newcomer. It’s a private tech incubator started by Netsol, a successful
Pakistani IT services company. Applications for its first batch of startups are currently
open.

12. Tech Incubator

Tech Incubator, based in Lahore, claims to be the first privately-managed incubator
in Pakistan. It functions on a rolling basis, accepting startups all year round.

The incubator takes a hefty amount of equity, though. Startups have to part with 10
percent just to use its co-working facilities, and a lot more if they wish to obtain
mentoring, consulting, and potential investment.

13. WeCreate Pakistan

We Create Pakistan is an entrepreneurial community center exclusively for women
looking to start or expand an existing business. The program is spread over 15 weeks
and is supported by the US Department of State.

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