Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar launched the establishment of Pakistan E-Rozgaar Co-Working Centers across the country to facilitate freelancers and promote the IT sector. Addressing the Tech Destination Pakistan Rejuvenated ceremony he stated that the initiative aims to create an ecosystem where talented individuals can thrive. He mentioned that these centers, supported by interest-free loans, assistance, and training, would help enhance the capacity of the youth.
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“Government is working to materialize the vision of a digital Pakistan through multiple cross-sectoral digital transformation initiatives”
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Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
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Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar added that Tech Destination Pakistan offers a unique opportunity to holistically examine the theme and its significant role in boosting Pakistan's economy. The Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan emphasized that the government is focusing on the IT sector for sustainable economic development. He expressed the government's commitment to promoting the IT industry under the umbrella of the Special Investment Facilitation Council.
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Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Dr. Umar Saif launched the first-ever "Pakistan Startup Fund"
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Ministry of IT & Telecom and Ignite – National Technology Fund launched Pakistan Startup Fund (PSF) to provide co-investment grants to startups. Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Dr. Umar Saif, announced the launch of Pakistan Startup Fund and BridgeStart Pakistan. The Pakistan Startup Fund aims at to catalyze venture investments in Pakistan and position Pakistani startups as significant players on the global stage.
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"With PSF we hope to create a value of at least Rs. 50 billion per year in the startup ecosystem in Pakistan"
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Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, Dr. Umar Saif
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During the inaugural ceremony, Dr. Umar Saif announced that the government is committed to allocating up to Rs. 2 billion annually to the Pakistan Startup Fund. Emphasizing its structure as equity-free capital, he highlighted the Fund's pivotal role in facilitating the closure of a VC round for startups. Dr. Umar Saif underscored that the Pakistan Startup Fund aims to support startups in securing their first external investment. He said that in scenarios where a foreign venture capitalist (VC) evaluates a Pakistani startup for a $1 million investment, the VC would only need to invest $700,000, as the Pakistan Startup Fund would provide a grant of $300,000 to help finalize the round. Dr. Umar Saif further articulated that the PSF is strategically designed to mitigate risks for international investors considering investments in Pakistani startups.
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Federal Minister for IT & Telecom awarded winners of Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon 2023
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Ignite National Technology Fund convened the awards ceremony of its 3rd Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon wherein the Chief Guest, Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, gave awards to the winners of the Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon 2023. The event featured keynote addresses & panel discussion by chief information security Officers, cybersecurity experts, and other professionals from industry. Cybersecurity Quiz Competition was also conducted involving leading universities in Islamabad/Rawalpindi.
Ignite had successfully conducted the scheduled hands-on training sessions in 10 cities, complemented by a special 3-day training session tailored for government sector employees held in Islamabad. Moreover, regional hackathon rounds were conducted in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, and Islamabad. Participants from across the nation engaged in intense competition, showcasing their expertise.
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“The significance of events like these cannot be overstated; they are pivotal in fostering innovation and collaboration within the dynamic field of cybersecurity”
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Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, Dr. Umar Saif
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Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, Dr. Umar Saif highlighted the critical role of the PECA Act in protecting Pakistan's cyberspace. Addressing the Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon 2023 awards distribution ceremony, he highlighted the government’s commitment to combating cybercrime, online threats, and ensuring the security of citizens’ online activities. He commended the efforts of Team Ignite in organizing training workshops and hackathons, stressing the significance of these initiatives in the face of evolving cyber threats.
Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, gave awards to the winning teams of the Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon 2023 which included team “Griffyns” 2nd Runner up clinching cash award of PKR 0.5 Million, team “Safe Cottage” 1st Runner up winning cash award of PKR 1 Million and the Winner team “Air Overflow” securing cash award of PKR 1.5 Million. The other awards included International Training Coupons of PKR 6 Million and Sponsorship for International Competitions.
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EyeSmarty (Financials Unlimited) Signed MOU with INTERPAY KSA
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EyeSmarty (Financials Unlimited) from the Ignite - National Technology Fund funded Pakistani delegation of startups has signed an MoU with Interpay KSA for investment and the formation of Interpay Pakistan”. EyeSmarty was incubated at National Incubation Center, Peshawar.
Chairman Interpay, Badri Alkadhim, signed an MOU with Awais Khan, CEO Financials Unlimited for the establishment of Interpay Pakistan that will bring substantial investment in EyeSmarty, a startup from Ignite's NIC Peshawar. EyeSmarty is an integrated employee productivity monitoring and project management solution.
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Ignite and SECP inked Memorendum of Understanding (MOU)
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Ignite and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This MOU had been established to emphasize the importance of adhering to regulatory guidelines, raising awareness, promoting the growth of the fintech sector, and fostering a supportive ecosystem for promising startups in Pakistan. The signing of MoU was officiated by Mr. Asim Shahryar Husain, CEO Ignite and Mr. Mujtaba Ahmad Lodhi, the Commisoner of SECP.
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Ignite participates in 23rd ITCN Asia with Promising Startups
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Continuing with its tradition of supporting Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, Ignite National Technology Fund, a public sector company with Ministry of IT & Telecom, participated in this year’s ITCN Asia with 16 promising startups from its network of National Incubation Centers. ITCN Asia is renowned for bringing together tech enthusiasts, industry leaders, and innovators to celebrate the advancements in information technology and telecommunication.
23rd ITCN Asia was held at Expo Center Karachi from 31st August to 2nd September 2023. Dr. Umar Saif, Caretaker Federal Minister for IT & Telecom graced the inaugural session as Chief Guest.
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“ITCN Asia is a significant event, which unites the entire IT & startup ecosystem under one roof. The Ministry of IT and Telecom, in collaboration with the Pakistan Software Export Board, Ignite, and NITB is proudly sponsoring participation of 50 companies and numerous startups—both local as well as global. The energy and determination of young minds driving these startups are awe-inspiring”
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Federal Secretary for IT & Telecom, Hassan Nasir Jamy
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“Innovation and Entrepreneurship are a key focus of the Ministry of IT & Telecom to transform the youth of Pakistan from job seekers to job creators. Unveiling of business ideas by National Incubation Center (NIC) Program startups at Startup Asia Expo – Destination Pakistan fills me with immense excitement. The recent incorporation of multiple innovation hubs, incubation centers, and venture capital funds are playing a pivotal role in amplifying the growth of Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. The ministry is planning a new fund of funds which will motivate foreign VCs to invest in Pakistan by de-risking their investments through a matching grant.”, stated Dr. Umar Saif, Caretaker Federal Minister for IT & Telecom.
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Ignite’s Cybersecurity Hackathon Teams shine at Black Hat MEA 2023 competition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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At this year’s Black Hat MEA event in Riyadh, three teams from past cybersecurity hackathons had been sponsored by Ignite. These 3 teams were ranked in the top 35 teams out of 250 global teams with Air Overflow, Sudoers, and Griffyns being ranked 27th, 32nd, and 33rd in Black Hat MEA’s competition respectively. Team Airoverflow achieved a remarkable feat by cracking a Linux Docker in just 4 minutes and 50 seconds during a challenge presented by the Academy of Learning.
Black Hat is a well-known series of conferences focused on information security which are organized in USA and other countries every year. Black Hat events bring together professionals from the cybersecurity industry, including researchers, security experts, hackers, and enthusiasts.
This conference features briefings, workshops, CTF (Capture The Flag) competitions, and training sessions covering a wide range of topics related to cybersecurity, such as vulnerabilities, exploits, hacking techniques, defense strategies, and emerging threats. The primary goal of Black Hat conferences is to provide a platform for individuals to share knowledge, to discuss the latest trends in cybersecurity, and to learn about new tools and technologies. This year’s Black Hat Middle East and Africa event was organized in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 14th to 16th November, 2023. 330+ exhibitors showcased their products and services at the event. 300 speakers including top Pakistani cybersecurity experts delivered their speeches at the event.
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Pakistani Startups embark on a remarkable journey at GITEX EXPAND NORTH STAR 2023
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The Pakistan Pavilion, thoughtfully designed by Ignite to showcase the country’s entrepreneurial potential, welcomed visitors with open arms, offering a glimpse into Pakistan’s thriving tech startups landscape. Earlier H.E. Muhammad Hussain, Counselor General Pakistan Embassy UAE and Mr. Muhammad Zohaib Khan, Chairman PASHA and Mr. Adeel Aijaz Shaikh, GM Corporate Affairs Ignite inaugurated Ignite’s Pavilion at GITEX.
This year, Ignite showcased ten tech startups at its GITEX Expand North Star pavilion, including RedMarker Systems (edtech), Davaam Life (retailtech), RemoteWell (agritech), Gameotivity (gaming), Kalam4Solutions (agritech), Boltay Huroof (assistivetech), Constructional 3D Printers (hi-tech), Intellica (energy), EMTEN (SaaS), and Explorer Bees (Tourism). Among these startups, four made it to the semifinals of ‘Supernova Challenge’ at GITEX 2023 including Red Marker Systems Pvt. Ltd, Gameotivity, Boltay Huroof, and Kalam4Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
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Pakistan has embarked on a remarkable journey through the heart of innovation at GITEX Expand North Star, an international showcase of groundbreaking technology and cultural exchange”
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Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, Dr. Umar Saif
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During the IT Minister’s visit, a significant milestone was achieved with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Ignite’s Pavilion. The agreement was inked between FALAH App, a pioneering initiative, Explorer Bees Pvt. Limited (a startup from NIC Peshawar), and Cognitology Limited, a company registered in the Republic of Ireland trading under the name ‘PsycReality.’ The signing ceremony took place in the presence of esteemed dignitaries, industry leaders, and technology enthusiasts. FALAH App, a testament to Pakistan’s technological prowess, joined hands with Explorer Bees Pvt. Limited and PsycReality to pave the way for innovative solutions in the realms of mental health and cognitive technologies.
The partnership aims to leverage the strengths of each entity involved, fostering an environment of creativity and excellence. By combining their expertise, FALAH App, Explorer Bees Pvt. Limited, and PsycReality are poised to create groundbreaking solutions that will not only benefit the local community but also have a global impact.
Expand North Star serves as a networking platform for startups and investors where innovative ideas converge, fostering collaborations that have the power to shape the future. The Pakistan Pavilion by Ignite showcases the nation’s dedication to technological advancement and global collaboration.
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National IT Seminar - Untapping IT Potential of Pakistan
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National Information Technology Seminar was held in Islamabad with the aim of aligning the endeavors of various stakeholders and establishing a favorable environment for the advancement of IT and digitalization in Pakistan. The occasion also marked the soft launch of multiple IT initiatives.
Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif graced the event as the chief guest, while Chief of the Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir honored the occasion as the guest of honor. Notable attendees encompassed Federal Ministers, Senior officials from the Government and Defence Sector, Diplomats and Delegates, CEOs, and representatives from National and International IT Companies.
In addition to diplomats and investors hailing from Gulf nations, China, and the European Union, the chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan were in attendance, alongside heads of the State Bank and the Federal Board of Revenue, IT experts, and senior figures from both the military and civilian sectors.
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The National IT Seminar was convened subsequent to the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to collectively advance the objective of cultivating a conducive atmosphere for the IT sector’s growth and digital expansion. Local and international IT companies, as well as academic institutions, applauded the government’s genuine commitment to transforming the IT domain, accomplished through collaborative efforts via the SIFC platform.
The Honourable Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan gave awards to the Winning Teams of Cybersecurity Hackathon 2022, Top Digiskills.pk freelancers, Top IT Startups and Top IT Exporters in 2022, in a prestigious ceremony.
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3rd Floor, Telecom Foundation Complex, 7 Mauve Area, G-9/4, Islamabad
Tel : 051-9107441-6 | web : www.ignite.org.pk | Email : [email protected]
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