IGNITE NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY FUND, UNDER THE MINISTRY OF IT & TELECOM LAUNCHES AI WRAPPER COMPETITION 2025

Pakistan’s future will be defined by how we use Artificial Intelligence to solve our real challenges in education, health, governance, finance, and agriculture/climate. Ignite – National Technology Fund, under the Ministry of IT & Telecom, has launched national-level AI Wrapper Competition 2025 for students, startups, researchers, and innovators.

“The AI Wrapper Competition 2025 reflects our strong commitment to harnessing technology for inclusive growth, social impact, and economic progress. Under the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for a Digital Nation Pakistan, we are building platforms that not only empower our youth but also highlight Pakistan’ s innovation potential on the global stage.” Federal Minister for IT and Telecom, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja

With a total prize pool of Rs. 8.75 million, the AI Wrapper Competition 2025 stands as one of the most significant technology contests in the country. Beyond prize money, the competition provides a unique opportunity for participants to transform ideas into market ready solutions, benefit from expert mentorship, and gain pathways to represent Pakistan in international AI competitions, showcasing the nation’ s talent on the global stage.

PAKISTAN’S BIGGEST GAMING & ANIMATION INDUSTRY INITIATIVE “CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN GAMING & ANIMATION – CEGA” LAUNCHED

The future of Pakistan's creative economy is no longer a vision, it's a reality. In a landmark collaboration, Ignite National Technology Fund, under the Ministry of IT & Telecom and HUM Network signed the establishment of the Center of Excellence in Gaming & Animation (CEGA), an initiative designed to transform the nation's immense creative talent into a global force. This hub will serve as the engine for Pakistan's digital future, empowering a new generation of developers, animators, and entrepreneurs.

“Under the Prime Minister’s vision of a Digital Nation, the Government is committed to nurturing Pakistan’s technology and creative industries, and the Center of Excellence in Gaming and Animation is a major step forward. This initiative will equip our youth with world-class skills, strengthen the gaming and animation ecosystem, and contribute to the country’s digital economy. Ministry of IT and Ignite National Technology Fund believe that Pakistan has great potential to meet both demand and supply side of the gaming and animation industry. This partnership between Ignite and HUM Network Limited is a step towards creating world-class opportunities for our youth.”,
Federal Minister for IT & Telecom Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja

CEGA will nurture an ecosystem where ideas can evolve into thriving ventures through key pillars. A total of 200 startups will be incubated over five years, offering founders mentorship, funding, and market exposure. 10,000 individuals will be trained in cutting-edge gaming, animation, and interactive content skills through specialized courses and workshops. Additionally, a state-of-the-art co-working space with 100 free seats will serve as a collaborative hub for Pakistan’s brightest creative minds.

Ignite – National Technology Fund, under the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication, has taken a step to empower women entrepreneurs by initiating plans for the Women Innovation and Startup Empowerment Lab (WISE Lab) which is Pakistan’s first dedicated platform for women-led startups.

A formal Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued, inviting firms to establish and manage the Lab. The WISE Lab will offer an 8,000–10,000 sq. ft. incubation space in Islamabad with capacity to host at least 20 startups at a time, along with training programs across all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Each year, these physical bootcamps will reach over 200 female micro-entrepreneurs, building their skills and networks.

WISE Lab is designed to break barriers women face in entrepreneurship — limited access to capital, digital skills, and professional networks — by providing tailored support in business development, digital literacy, investment readiness, and investor access. Ignite will appoint a professional management team through the selected bidder to run the Lab and oversee incubation cycles.

In addition, five high-performing startups each year will receive grants of up to Rs. 2 million to scale their operations. The project directly aligns with Pakistan’s commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially promoting gender equality and inclusive economic growth.

Through WISE Lab, Ignite aims to transform this landscape and create a thriving pipeline of women-led enterprises.

NIC KARACHI MARKS GRADUATION OF 30 STARTUPS OF STARTUPS AND 1ST ANNIVERSARY

The National Incubation Center Karachi (NIC Karachi), an Ignite initiative under the Ministry of IT & Telecom, celebrated a landmark moment with the graduation of 30 startups from its 12th Cohort alongside the 1st anniversary of NIC Karachi. Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, graced the ceremony as Chief Guest, joined by Mr. Rafique Ahmed Buriro, CEO Ignite, and Mr. Asim Ishaq Khan, Vice President LMKT, along with prominent industry leaders, investors and ecosystem stakeholders.

“The graduation of startups from NIC Karachi demonstrates the remarkable entrepreneurial talent and resilience of Pakistan’s youth. These young innovators are not only creating jobs but also reshaping industries and showcasing Pakistan’s potential on the global stage. The Ministry of IT & Telecom, under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, remains fully committed to empowering our youth and building a knowledge-based digital economy by nurturing such ecosystems nationwide.”,
Federal Minister for IT & Telecom Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja

The graduation ceremony celebrated the grit and creativity of 30 startups from Cohort 12, who are now poised to scale their solutions across local and international markets. Alumni success stories were highlighted as examples of how NIC Karachi’s support translates into job creation, revenue generation and industry disruption.

Since its inception, NIC Karachi has incubated 375+ startups, creating over 1 million jobs, generating PKR 10 billion in revenue, and raising more than PKR 12 billion in investment. With free-of-cost incubation, mentorship, investor access, and advanced labs in Fintech, Industrial Automation, and Media, NIC Karachi continues to shape the future of entrepreneurship in Pakistan.

Ignite National Technology Fund, under the Ministry of IT & Telecom, showcased the vibrant spirit of Pakistan’s startup ecosystem at the 26th ITCN Asia, held at Karachi Expo Center from September 23 – 25, 2025. Participating with ten dynamic startups from its National Incubation Centers (NICs) program, Ignite reinforced its mission to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation.

The event, one of Pakistan’s premier tech gatherings, brought together IT professionals, industry leaders, and tech enthusiasts for three days of networking, knowledge-sharing, and business development. Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, inaugurated the event, reaffirming the government’s commitment to building Pakistan as a regional IT hub and advancing a knowledge-based, digitally empowered economy.

Ignite’s presence at 26th ITCN Asia was marked by the participation of ten cutting-edge startups from its National Incubation Centers (NICs). These startups, nurtured through Ignite’s comprehensive incubation and acceleration programs, exemplify the spirit of innovation and resilience that characterizes Pakistan’s emerging tech landscape. The startups received an enthusiastic response from visitors and stakeholders for their diverse, impactful solutions.

See the highlights of Ignite pavilion with vibrant showcase of innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship

Ignite’s strong presence at ITCN Asia reflects its continued drive to empower startups and strengthen Pakistan’s digital economy.

Watch an exclusive conversation with Muhammad Bilal Abbasi, General Manager Projects at Ignite, shares his insights on how Pakistan’s startup ecosystem is rapidly expanding and gaining international attention. Abbasi explains how Ignite’s National Incubation Centers (NICs) located across major cities have become hubs for innovation, entrepreneurship, and cutting-edge solutions, providing critical mentorship, funding opportunities, and access to markets.

The conversation also delves into the challenges and opportunities faced by Pakistani startups as they work to scale their businesses and enter global markets, along with the strategies that can help them compete internationally. Abbasi highlights the important roles of government, investors, and entrepreneurs in creating a robust support system for startups and nurturing a digital ecosystem that can drive sustained economic growth.

Ignite – National Technology Fund, under the Ministry of IT & Telecom, is at the forefront of Pakistan’s digital transformation, driving innovation, entrepreneurship and skills development across the country.

In a special segment on HUM TV Morning Show, Mr. Muhammad Bilal Abbasi (GM Projects) and Mr. Faysal Malik (GM Monitoring) spoke about how Ignite’s flagship initiatives are shaping Pakistan’s tech landscape and preparing youth for the future.

They highlighted the Center of Excellence for Gaming & Animation (CEGA) — Pakistan’s first dedicated hub for advanced training and industry partnerships in gaming and animation. They also discussed DigiSkills.pk, the country’s largest online training program, which has already trained millions in freelancing and digital skills, and the National Incubation Center (NIC) Program, a nationwide network nurturing hundreds of startups from idea stage to scale-up.

These initiatives are bridging skill gaps, creating jobs, and empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs and creators, directly supporting the Government’s vision of a Digital Pakistan. Ignite’s ongoing efforts are transforming bold ideas into real-world solutions, ensuring Pakistan not only keeps pace with global trends but also becomes a leader in the digital economy.

Watch full program below

From classroom curiosity to national recognition, STEMverse, a startup at NIC Peshawar, is transforming how Pakistan learns science and technology. Founded by Mashaal Jawad, STEMverse delivers immersive, hands-on STEM education through gamified bootcamps and mixed-reality learning tools that turn abstract concepts into engaging experiences.

Their journey through NIC Peshawar’s incubation and Orbit Startups’ acceleration program culminated in a major milestone when they won PKR 1 million at Orbit Demo Day 2025, outshining startups from NIC Karachi and Peshawar with their innovative pitch.

In a country where most schools lack the infrastructure for quality STEM education, STEMverse bridges the gap with accessible, tech-driven solutions. Their AR/VR-powered workbooks, custom learning kits, and teacher training programs enable inclusive, future-ready classrooms, especially for students in underserved regions. With over 500 students engaged, multiple institutional partnerships, and growing media recognition, STEMverse continues to ignite curiosity, creativity, and confidence empowering Pakistan’s next generation of innovators.

Under the umbrella of the Ministry of IT & Telecom and Ignite – National Technology Fund, NIC Lahore startup Voltshare achieved a historic milestone as its Founder, Umair Ata, became the first Pakistani entrepreneur selected for the Plug and Play China Cross-Border Program 2025. Voltshare is pioneering Pakistan’s electric mobility revolution through its “Airbnb for EV Charging” model  a peer-to-peer network allowing homeowners and businesses to share private charging stations with drivers. This global recognition highlights Pakistan’s growing strength in clean-tech and deep-tech innovation, and demonstrates how Ignite-supported incubation programs are nurturing startups solving real sustainability challenges

Under the umbrella of the Ministry of IT & Telecom and Ignite – National Technology Fund, NIC Lahore startup Voltshare achieved a historic milestone as its Founder, Umair Ata, became the first Pakistani entrepreneur selected for the Plug and Play China Cross-Border Program 2025. Voltshare is pioneering Pakistan’s electric mobility revolution through its “Airbnb for EV Charging” model  a peer-to-peer network allowing homeowners and businesses to share private charging stations with drivers. This global recognition highlights Pakistan’s growing strength in clean-tech and deep-tech innovation, and demonstrates how Ignite-supported incubation programs are nurturing startups solving real sustainability challenges

Two startups from NIC Hyderabad turned their incubation journeys into national success stories at the HBL P@SHA ICT Awards 2025.

Global Animal Passport Registration, which began with a mission to formalize Pakistan’s livestock economy, built an AI-powered identification and traceability system that’s now improving transparency and farmers’ livelihoods, earning them the Inclusions & Community Award.

LOADe Technology, which started with the idea of digitizing freight movement, created Pakistan’s first tech-enabled logistics platform and won in the Supply Chain & Logistics Category.

These wins mark a proud milestone for NIC Hyderabad, showcasing how local innovation is driving real-world impact across industries

Ignite – National Technology Fund, under the Ministry of IT & Telecom, is powering Pakistan’s entry into the global semiconductor arena through a Postgraduate Diploma in Integrated Circuit (IC) Design & Verification (leading to MS-EE) at FAST-NU, Islamabad. Sponsored by Ignite and implemented by FAST-NU, the program is already in full swing, equipping a new generation of engineers with advanced skills in chip design and verification.

This initiative directly supports the Government’s vision to position Pakistan as a competitive player in the global semiconductor industry. The ongoing training sessions reflect the energy, passion, and curiosity of our young talent as they gain hands-on expertise to drive the country’s digital and economic transformation.

With each session, these students are not only advancing their careers but also building the foundation of Pakistan’s future in high-tech innovation

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