Telenor Velocity, the startup accelerator arm of Telenor Pakistan, has teamed up with Google to uncover and support the nation’s most promising tech ventures.
In a significant move to bolster Pakistan’s tech landscape, Telenor Velocity, the startup accelerator arm of Telenor Pakistan, has teamed up with Google to uncover and support the nation’s most promising tech ventures. This collaboration aims to provide a platform for budding entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute to the country’s burgeoning tech sector.
Telenor Velocity has joined forces as a Community Partner for the Google Cloud Startup Competition Pakistan 2024. This initiative, designed to unearth and empower tech ventures, holds the promise of transforming Pakistan’s tech landscape. By offering support and resources, it seeks to foster innovation and drive growth within the local startup ecosystem.
The partnership kicked off with the Islamabad edition and the inaugural event of the ‘Master Your Pitch’ series, held at Telenor Pakistan’s 345 campus. This event provided a platform for young innovators to showcase their startup ideas and receive valuable feedback from industry experts. With approximately 130 participants, the event witnessed the selection of 10 startups to present their pitches to a panel of seasoned professionals.
The expert panel, comprising individuals like Faisal Aftab from Zayn VC, Ahsan Maykan from Telenor Pakistan, Rohma Labeeb from Accelerate Prosperity, and Sayyed Ahmad Masud from the National Incubation Center Islamabad, offered insightful feedback and guidance to the participating startups. This interaction aimed to refine their ideas and enhance their execution strategies.
In addition to the pitch sessions, the event featured workshops and insights from industry leaders on building sustainable business models and leveraging Generative AI. Experts from Google, including Saad Hamid and Ershian Anwar, along with representatives from Telenor Pakistan and local developer groups, shared their knowledge and expertise with the attendees.
Startups participating in the Google Cloud Startup Competition have the opportunity to compete in five tracks, focusing on areas such as AI and Generative AI, E-commerce, Fintech, Digital Technologies, and Sustainability. Powered by Tech Valley Pakistan, this competition aims to recognize and reward innovation in these specific domains.
Areej Khan, Chief People Officer at Telenor Pakistan, emphasized the significance of the collaboration with Google and the opportunities it presents for aspiring entrepreneurs. She highlighted Telenor’s commitment to fostering innovation and expressed optimism about the impact of the competition on Pakistan’s tech ecosystem.
Farhan Qureshi, Country Director for Pakistan at Google, echoed this sentiment, expressing confidence in the partnership’s ability to drive growth and empower the country’s tech community. He underscored Google’s dedication to supporting developers and startups in Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in unlocking the nation’s tech potential.
The competition will culminate in a Grand Finals event in Karachi in late July 2024, where finalists from each track will pitch their ventures to a panel of judges and industry leaders. Winners in each track will receive a cash prize of Rs. 1 million along with exclusive networking opportunities with leading venture capitalists, further fueling innovation and entrepreneurship in Pakistan.