Boosting innovation and entrepreneurship: Pakistan Startup Fund and BridgeStart launched in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: Ignite National Technology Fund, in collaboration with the National Incubation Centre Peshawar (NIC Peshawar), organized the regional launch event of the Pakistan Startup Fund (PSF) and BridgeStart Pakistan on Friday.

According to a press release, the event was hosted at NIC Peshawar, 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). These initiatives aim to accelerate innovation, investment, and entrepreneurial growth in Pakistan. The projects are being executed by Ignite under the Ministry’s broader vision to strengthen the national startup ecosystem.

The event opened with welcome remarks by Asim Ishaq, Project Director at NIC Peshawar, who emphasized the transformative potential of the newly 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.

A detailed briefing was delivered by Nayab Babar, Chief Innovation Officer and Project Director of PSF, who highlighted the operational framework and vision behind 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,” said Nayab Babar.

The session included an interactive question-and-answer segment, followed by a startup success story shared by Mashaal Jawad, Founder of Stemverse. Ayub Zakori, CEO of Zakori Group, shared his entrepreneurial insights in a keynote address titled “The Art of Business.”The event concluded with closing remarks by Ahmad Junaid, head of Marketing at LMKT, who reiterated the importance of collaboration between the government, industry, and startups.