# NIC Karachi picks 35 startups for Cohort 16 from over 700 applications

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/technology/nic-karachi-picks-35-startups-for-cohort-16-from-over-700-applications)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 17 Oct 2026
Updated: 17 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 18 Oct 2026

> The Ignite-funded incubator, run by LMKT with Lucky Landmark, adds Orbit Ventures as an international partner. Its startups have raised over Rs 13 billion so far.

**NIC Karachi, the National Incubation Center in Karachi, has taken 35 startups into Cohort 16 of its incubation programme, picked from more than 700 applications from across Pakistan**, [Business Recorder reported](https://www.brecorder.com/news/40444686/nic-karachi-inducts-35-startups-into-cohort-16) on Saturday 17 October 2026. That is roughly one place for every 20 applicants.

## Who runs it and what the startups get

- **Funded by** Ignite, the National Technology Fund under the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication.
- **Managed by** LMKT in partnership with Lucky Landmark (Pvt) Ltd.
- **International partner:** Orbit Ventures, which will give Cohort 16 extra mentorship, acceleration and introductions to foreign investors.
- **Support:** structured incubation, mentoring, training and access to industry networks.

Project Director Syed Azfar Hussain said the quality and range of ideas this year showed the country's growing entrepreneurial ambition.

## The track record

Startups incubated at NIC Karachi have together generated **more than Rs 13 billion in revenue** and raised **more than Rs 13 billion in investment**, according to the centre. At today's [dollar rate](/data/usd-pkr) of about Rs 277, each figure is roughly **$47 million**.

## What it means for founders

If you missed this round, the numbers tell you what to expect next time: hundreds of applicants for a few dozen places. Founders who get in usually show:

1. **A working product or pilot**, not just an idea.
2. **Early customers or revenue**, even small.
3. **A team** with the skills to build it, rather than a solo founder.

Pakistani startups are also going abroad for exposure: 20 Pakistani firms pitched at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco this week ([our report](/news/technology/20-pakistani-tech-firms-pitch-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2026-in-san-francisco-from)). Founders taking a salary from their startup can work out their tax with our [income tax calculator](/tools/tax/income-tax-calculator), and freelancers moving into a company can compare with the [freelancer tax calculator](/tools/tax/freelancer-tax-calculator).

## Sources

- NIC Karachi inducts 35 startups into Cohort 16 (17 Oct 2026) (Business Recorder): https://www.brecorder.com/news/40444686/nic-karachi-inducts-35-startups-into-cohort-16

How to cite: "NIC Karachi picks 35 startups for Cohort 16 from over 700 applications", Searchable, 17 Oct 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/technology/nic-karachi-picks-35-startups-for-cohort-16-from-over-700-applications