ISLAMABAD (BMZ REPORT )
Karachi is a city of 25 million. It attracts people from across Sind and across Pakistan who dream of building a better future for themselves and their families. Samsung Electronics, with its pursuit of nurturing entrepreneurial culture, has created “The Nest” I/O, an incubator and start up space, in partnership with P@SHA and other prestigious companies, to help these young aspiring entrepreneurs, turn their dreams into reality.
While the Pakistani startup community has shown tremendous growth in recent years, there’s still a vast potential for development that remains untapped. Samsung has given hope to young people in the tech community who aspire to start and run their own businesses, thus creating value for themselves, jobs for others and much-needed wealth for the country.
“By opening The Nest I/O, the Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT & ITES (P@SHA), in partnership with Samsung and Google for Entrepreneurs and with support from the U.S. State Department, is expanding its support to the Pakistani tech startup community.”
This was the combined message emanating from the speeches made by J.H. Lee – the MD of Samsung Pakistan, Ann Lavin- Head of Public Policy at Google Inc Asia/Pacific, Brian Heath- US Consul General Karachi and Jehan Ara- President of P@SHA at the vibrant launch event of this dynamic startup space.
“The Nest” in its first year of operation plans to support over 50 residential startups, and empower dozens more externally incubated startups and provide a community space that will create an impact for hundreds more.
The Nest i/o’s 6,500 sq ft of physical space will provide a home for talented entrepreneurs, where they’ll have access to mentors, training and community events, as well as access to current technology platforms and products for developing and testing. Showcasing innovative products to potential investors and customers is also a part of the vision of the new tech incubator.
As part of the “Google For Entrepreneurs” global community, this hub will be able to provide startups in Karachi the opportunity to freely sit and connect with over 30 startup hubs around the world from “Campus London” to “iHub” in Nairobi and avail the expertise of tech experts from the Samsung and Google network. It is hoped that The Nest I/O will provide the needed support to Pakistan’s next generation of entrepreneurs. Interested startups can apply to http://thenestio.com.