The National Incubation Center (NIC) Hyderabad, an Ignite project under the Ministry of IT & Telecom, has celebrated its third anniversary alongside the graduation of 32 startups from its 4th and 5th cohorts.
Launched three years ago, NIC Hyderabad has rapidly emerged as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation, strengthening Hyderabad’s role on Pakistan’s digital map.
Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, attended the ceremony as Chief Guest, joined by senior officials from the Ministry, Ignite, LMKT, PTCL, academia, and the local business community. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the graduation of startups from NIC Hyderabad showcases the resilience and creativity of Pakistan’s youth, who are shaping the country’s digital future by driving economic growth, generating employment, and gaining international recognition. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Prime Minister’s Digital Nation Vision under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
Ignite CEO, Rafique Ahmed Buriro, highlighted that NIC Hyderabad demonstrates how entrepreneurship can thrive beyond Pakistan’s largest cities, while LMKT Vice President Asim Ishaq Khan emphasized that Hyderabad-based startups are scaling nationwide and internationally. Project Director Sayed Sana Shah reflected on NIC Hyderabad’s journey, noting that over 150 startups have been incubated, generating Rs1 billion in revenue, securing Rs470 million in investment, and creating more than 4,100 jobs in just three years.
The graduation ceremony honored 32 startups for their achievements, adding to NIC Hyderabad’s track record of fostering over 150 startups since its inception. With Rs1 billion in revenue generated, Rs470 million raised in funding, and thousands of jobs created, NIC Hyderabad continues to fuel Pakistan’s knowledge-based digital economy.