Pakistan Investor Summit: NIC Karachi signs four MoUs to expand startup support

The National Incubation Center Karachi (NIC Karachi) signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with entrepreneurship and industry organisations at the Pakistan Investor Summit 2026, aimed at expanding startups’ access to mentorship, industry networks, technical resources and entrepreneurial learning opportunities.

The agreements were signed with the Saleh Kamel Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development Organization (SKSEED), Karachi Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KWCCI) Korangi, UK Pakistan Tech Forum, and Commonwealth Entrepreneurs Forum.

The MoUs were signed as part of the 13th edition of the Pakistan Investor Summit, a two-day initiative hosted by NIC Karachi that brought together startups, investors, venture capitalists, business leaders, industry representatives and national and international ecosystem experts to promote investment and strategic collaboration within Pakistan’s startup ecosystem.

The summit provided startups with opportunities to pitch their businesses to investors, receive expert feedback, explore funding prospects and establish relationships with potential investors and strategic partners.

The first day featured pitching sessions involving startups from NIC Karachi’s Cohort 14 and Cohort 15, who presented their business ideas and scalable solutions to a panel of investors. The programme also included one-on-one investor office hours, allowing entrepreneurs to hold more detailed discussions with investors, explore potential deals and receive tailored guidance.

The second day was held at ITCN Asia, where the summit brought together a broader national and international audience of investors, technology leaders, business representatives and ecosystem stakeholders. The programme included an Investor Fireside Chat examining Pakistan’s investment landscape from the perspective of experienced investors and business leaders, followed by a Startup Showcase featuring six startups presenting their business models, growth potential and market opportunities.

Speaking at the summit, NIC Karachi Project Director Syed Azfar Hussain said the initiative reflected the centre’s commitment to developing a connected investment ecosystem.

“The Pakistan Investor Summit reflects our continued commitment to building a strong and connected investment ecosystem in Pakistan. By creating structured opportunities for engagement between startups and investors, we are not only facilitating access to capital but also enabling knowledge exchange, mentorship, and long-term partnerships,” he said.

Hussain added that the quality of startups and investor participation at this year’s summit demonstrated the continued development of Pakistan’s innovation ecosystem.

The summit featured speakers including World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) Chairman Baybars Altuntas, Finserv Experts Managing Director Areiel Wolanow, Dr Wael Eldesouki Bedda of SKSEED, Chief Digital Officer at Tracking Faysal Ghauri and Cisco Pakistan Country Head Kashif Ul Haque.

Their participation brought national and international perspectives to discussions around investment, entrepreneurship, technology, digital transformation and business growth.

The summit concluded with remarks by Secretary IT Gilgit-Baltistan Zameer Abbas, who highlighted the importance of collaboration among government, industry, investors, academia and entrepreneurs in unlocking Pakistan’s technology and innovation potential.

The Pakistan Investor Summit 2026 provided a platform for startups and investors to explore early- and growth-stage investment opportunities, develop strategic partnerships and connect local innovation with national and international investment networks.

Established in 2018 at NED University, Karachi, NIC Karachi is an Ignite-funded incubation centre operated by LMKT and Lucky Landmark Pvt Ltd in partnership with Orbit Ventures.

The centre has incubated more than 440 startups since its inception and says its portfolio has generated more than Rs13 billion in revenues and raised over Rs13 billion in investment. NIC Karachi provides free incubation, mentorship, legal and financial advisory, investor access, and specialised labs covering fintech, industrial automation and media.