Ignite NIC Program Startups, Pitch to Japanese Companies in Pakistan
Karachi: Ignite National Technology Fund an innovation value chain fixing arm of Ministry of IT & Telecom organized one day pitching event, in which 25 startups of NIC Program pitched their business idea and products/services to Japanese companies working in Pakistan under the auspices of JERO (Japan External Trade Organization that promotes foreign direct investment into Japan).
The startups pitches were aimed at raising the corporate investments and to further develop their business by developing strategic business partnerships with Japanese companies. Ignite funded NIC startups got an opportunity to develop commercial partnership for solving problems faced by Pakistan based Japanese companies in industry verticals such as agriculture, health, education, IT, transport and manufacturing,
In his opening address, CEO Ignite, Yusuf Hussain said that the Development of technology entrepreneurship is a priority of the Government, as a driver of growth and jobs. Collaborations between Japanese conglomerates and Pakistani startups and IT companies should help achieve these goals by providing opportunities for tech product and solution development in Pakistan that will also improve the competitiveness and productivity of Japanese corporations.
Participating startups got an international perspective besides getting an opportunity to raise next round of funding for further commercialization of their product/services. It is also envisaged that such collaborations will facilitates deployment, exploitation and utilization of information and communication technologies for enhanced national productivity. It will also enhance the national ICT related human resource development capacity manifolds by facilitating industrial demand focused human resource capacity building and R&D capabilities in the country and promoting ICT related educational programs and activities.
Mr. Osamu Hisaki, Country Director JETRO Karachi said that JETRO has been actively supporting the collaboration of Japanese companies and Pakistani start-ups and is optimistic that such endeavors will be beneficial for both Pakistan and Japan. Promotion and collaboration in the IT sector of Pakistan has been one of the priorities as a result of the Joint Government Dialogue between Japan and Pakistan.
Ms. Sadia Manzoor, Head of Research and Business Development, JETRO Karachi, Mr. Asfand Yar Khan, Head of Commercialization & Investments, Ignite, Mr. Ali Iqbal, GM SEED, Ignite were also present at the occasion.
