Staff Report
PESHAWAR:Ignite National Technology Fund, in collaboration with the National Incubation Center Peshawar (NIC Peshawar), organized the Regional Launch Event of the Pakistan Startup Fund (PSF) and BridgeStart Pakistan today. The event was held at NIC Peshawar and commenced at 3:00 PM, bringing together a vibrant mix of entrepreneurs, ecosystem enablers, and tech innovators.
Pakistan Startup Fund and BridgeStart Pakistan are strategic initiatives of the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication (MoITT) aimed at accelerating innovation, investment, and entrepreneurial growth in Pakistan. These projects are being executed by Ignite, under the Ministry’s broader vision to strengthen the national startup ecosystem.
The event opened with a warm welcome by Mr. Asim Ishaq, Project Director at NIC Peshawar, who emphasized the transformative potential of the launched initiatives.
“The launch of BridgeStart and the Pakistan Startup Fund by Ignite represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. BridgeStart will provide startups with essential international exposure, while the Pakistan Startup Fund will offer critical funding opportunities needed for scalable growth. Together, these initiatives will significantly enhance the investment landscape of the country,” said Asim Ishaq, PD NIC Peshawar.
A detailed briefing was presented by Mr. Nayab Babar, Chief Innovation Officer and Project Director PSF, highlighting the operational framework and impact vision of both programs.
“These initiatives are not just funding mechanisms—they are growth enablers. Through strategic capital infusion and international linkage support, we are building an ecosystem where high-potential startups can thrive, scale, and contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s digital economy,” noted Nayab Babar.
The session included an interactive Q&A, followed by a startup success story shared by Ms. Mashaal Jawad, Founder of Stemverse, who inspired the audience with her entrepreneurial journey.
Adding further depth to the session, Mr. Ayub Zakoori, CEO Zakoori Group, shared his entrepreneurial insights in a keynote titled “The Art of Business.”
“In today’s fast-evolving digital economy, success belongs to those who can adapt, innovate, and take bold risks. Programs like PSF and BridgeStart are exactly the kind of bold moves our ecosystem needs to unlock real potential,” remarked Ayub Zakoori.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Ahmad Junaid, Head of Marketing at LMKT, who reiterated the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and startups. A group photo session and networking hi-tea followed, fostering interaction among innovators and investors.
This regional launch marks a major milestone in expanding the outreach of PSF and BridgeStart Pakistan, reaffirming MoITT’s commitment to a digitally empowered, innovation-led economy.
