For the first cohort, startup applications are currently being accepted. These applications will be carefully reviewed in February, and the first cohort’s classes will start in March.
Ignite plans to open Pakistan’s eighth incubator in March 2023, I. The National Incubation Centre for Aerospace Technologies (NICAT) has finished its renovation, according to sources. For the first cohort, startup applications are currently being accepted. These applications will be carefully reviewed in February, and the first cohort’s classes will start in March.
Ignite is accepting applications from startups in the following fields: drones, robotics, and swarms; aircraft and spacecraft systems; electronic sensors and C2 systems; avionics; electro-optic and infrared systems; advanced wireless networks and communication systems; and xR (AR, VR, and MR) systems.
Startups engaged in information assurance, cyber defense and resilience, AI, high-performance computing (HPC) and big data, advanced materials, additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, IoT and ICT systems, precision agriculture, aviation, food, materials, and any other related technology are also encouraged to apply.
According to Ignite, the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park (NASTP), Pakistan’s first aerospace cluster and smart city, is home to the National Incubation Centre for Aerospace Technologies (NICAT). It is situated in the Old Islamabad Airport Building in Chaklala Cantt, Rawalpindi.
Startups will be able to grow more quickly thanks to NICAT’s strong connections with aerospace, aviation, and deep tech stakeholders in the government, industry, and academia.
Startups will receive free co-working space, admission to R&D labs, and exposure to the business world. Startups will have the chance to expand their businesses with the help of international mentors through NICAT.
Startups will receive training for market-fit products and investment in this incubator, as well as opportunities to pitch to angel investors and venture capitalists. These startups will join Pakistan’s largest innovation ecosystem.
In conjunction with Aviation City Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd., Ignite is also introducing its first vertical Incubator Centre for aerospace technologies. In November 2022, the NICAT establishment contract was given to NETSOL Technologies Ltd.
The seven NICs run by Ignite currently operate in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Hyderabad, and Faisalabad. To date, more than 1,150 startups have been incubated there, creating more than 117,000 direct and indirect jobs, raising a total of Rs 15.4 billion in funding, and bringing in a total of Rs 9.1 billion in revenue.