STAFF REPORT LHR: The Punjab IT Board (PITB) in collaboration with Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@sha) has recently launched Pakistans first national-level technology incubator with the name and style of Plan9.
This initiative by the Punjab government covers startups and welcomes innovative ideas from Islamabad and Karachi as well as in Lahore and should be openly appreciated.
According to details, over 100 applicants submitted their technology based startup ideas to PITB Plan9 which offered to provide. These ideas included: Free state of the art office space, Legal and regulatory compliance advisory, Marketing and PR consultancy, Access to international and local networking events, A mentoring program involving national and international mentors, Financial management solutions, Access to national and international investors, Product development and commercialization assistance, and Assistance in intellectual property management. Monthly stipend of Rs. 20,000 for each team member will be awarded.
As many as 30 of these have been shortlisted for the Lahore launch pad and should be subject to two days of extensive scrutiny and mentoring to choose the five teams for the coveted bounty.