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NICAT Launches Cohort 6: Pioneering Aerospace Innovation in Pakistan

Islamabad – July 2025
The National Incubation Center for Aerospace Technologies (NICAT) has officially announced the launch of Cohort 6, opening its doors once again to ambitious startups and innovators working at the cutting edge of aerospace and frontier technologies. With its unique position at the intersection of defense, deep tech, and private innovation, NICAT is calling on Pakistan’s best minds to apply and be part of a national effort to build technological sovereignty.

This latest cohort marks another milestone in NICAT’s journey to transform Pakistan’s innovation ecosystem, encouraging startups that align with national strategic needs — while also preparing them for global competitiveness.

NICAT: An Innovation Engine Powering Pakistan’s Aerospace Future

Founded in 2022, the National Incubation Center for Aerospace Technologies (NICAT) is more than just a startup accelerator. It is a strategic platform built to catalyze high-impact entrepreneurship in sectors traditionally underrepresented in Pakistan’s tech scene — namely aerospace, defense technologies, and emerging frontier domains.

The center is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of IT & Telecom, executed through Ignite – National Technology Fund. It is managed by a powerful consortium led by Netsol Technologies, in collaboration with NASTP (National Aerospace Science & Technology Park), Air University, and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra — institutions deeply rooted in Pakistan’s aerospace and defense infrastructure.

NICAT’s location, mission, and partnerships uniquely position it within Pakistan’s defense-tech ecosystem, enabling participating startups to gain real exposure to national priorities, high-stakes R&D, and advanced manufacturing.

Impact So Far: 77 Startups, Billions in Revenue, Thousands of Jobs

In just three years, NICAT has already delivered results that underscore its value:

  • 77 startups incubated

  • Over PKR 1.2 billion in facilitated investments

  • More than PKR 3.1 billion in collective revenues

  • Creation of 20,000+ jobs

  • Participation in international showcases, forging global partnerships

These milestones are not just statistics; they represent a vibrant pipeline of deep-tech innovation that is steadily expanding Pakistan’s technological frontier.

Cohort 6: What’s New?

With Cohort 6, NICAT is doubling down on purpose-driven innovation. This cohort will place stronger emphasis on:

🎯 Need-Based Startup Scouting

NICAT is moving from passive applications to proactive identification of startups that are aligned with national security priorities and high-growth tech domains.

🛰️ Full-Spectrum Aerospace Innovation

From avionics and drones to private aviation systems, space technologies, and AI-based defense tools, Cohort 6 is focused on filling critical gaps in Pakistan’s aerospace supply chain and advanced manufacturing ecosystem.

🌐 Dual-Use & Frontier Technologies

NICAT is welcoming dual-use technologies that can benefit both defense and civilian sectors. Startups working on robotics, clean energy for aerospace, AI, IoT, cybersecurity, and smart materials are especially encouraged to apply.

What Sets NICAT Apart?

NICAT operates on a bootcamp-driven, sprint-based model that gives founders the tools they need to scale — quickly and with precision.

⚙️ Agile, Founder-First Approach

NICAT’s programs are not one-size-fits-all. Instead, they are tailored to the startup journey, ensuring that entrepreneurs receive support aligned with the technical and regulatory challenges of aerospace and defense innovation.

🔬 Access to High-Tech Labs

Startups accepted into the cohort gain access to state-of-the-art labs, simulation facilities, manufacturing units, and engineering environments that are typically inaccessible to early-stage companies.

🤝 Industry-Integrated Mentorship

NICAT’s ecosystem is rich with aerospace veterans, engineers, technologists, and defense planners who mentor founders in real time, ensuring practical alignment with market needs.

🧭 Strategic Growth Pathways

Each startup undergoes structured modules in:

  • Market validation

  • Compliance and regulation

  • Prototyping and pilot production

  • Investor readiness

  • Global market entry strategy

Voices Behind the Vision

Shayan Yar, Program Director, NICAT

“We built NICAT for founders who are curious, driven, and serious about solving tough problems. If you’re working on something ambitious — especially in aerospace, defense, or frontier technologies — this is where you’ll find the people, partners, and support to take it further.”

Shayan emphasizes that NICAT isn’t just about facilities; it’s about building deep-tech communities, empowering founders, and connecting them with real systems, markets, and missions.

Adeel Aijaz Shaikh, CEO of Ignite

“NICAT is a testament to how public-private collaboration can build a world-class platform for indigenous innovation. Cohort 6 is another step toward making Pakistan a competitive player in the global high-tech economy.”

According to Mr. Shaikh, NICAT exemplifies how ecosystem synergy — between government, academia, private tech, and startups — can produce lasting economic and national impact.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Core Value

NICAT is actively working to ensure that every aspiring innovator has a seat at the table. Diversity isn’t a side-note; it’s a central strategy.

💪 Supporting Women and Marginalized Innovators

  • Startups led by women, differently abled persons, and innovators from underserved regions are encouraged to apply.

  • NICAT provides a safe, inclusive, and enabling workspace that respects different backgrounds and facilitates equal opportunity.

By championing gender equity and regional inclusion, NICAT is laying the foundation for a more holistic innovation ecosystem that reflects Pakistan’s demographic realities.

Who Should Apply?

Applications are now open for Cohort 6. NICAT is looking for mission-driven teams that have moved beyond the idea stage and are ready to build and scale.

Eligible Startups Must Have:

  • A Prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

  • A clear roadmap to product-market fit or scale-up

  • Solutions aligned with one or more of the following sectors:

Targeted Sectors:

  • Aerospace Technologies

  • Defense-Tech & Dual-Use Systems

  • AI, Machine Learning & Big Data

  • Internet of Things (IoT)

  • Advanced Manufacturing

  • Space Exploration & Private Aviation

  • Clean-Tech & Energy for Aerospace

  • FinTech for Defense Ecosystems

  • Agri-Tech & Bio-Tech with Strategic Value

  • SDG-aligned Deep-Tech Innovations

Whether you’re working on drones that support disaster response, AI-powered threat detection, or sustainable propulsion systems, NICAT wants to hear from you.

Why NICAT? Why Now?

As the global aerospace and defense landscape evolves, Pakistan must not be left behind. NICAT is Pakistan’s proactive answer to:

  • Global militarization of AI and space technologies

  • Changing economic models for aerospace startups

  • Increased demand for local tech solutions in defense and security

By helping startups develop intellectual property, build local capacity, and connect with international markets, NICAT is bridging the gap between talent and opportunity.

Real Stories, Real Success

From drone companies securing defense pilot contracts, to AI startups partnering with international R&D labs, NICAT has produced a pipeline of startups that break silos and build for global challenges.

Graduates of previous cohorts are now working with:

  • Government agencies

  • Global investors

  • Regional manufacturing hubs

  • Research institutions

These real-world deployments and linkages are proof that NICAT’s model works — and works fast.

Timeline & Application Process

📅 Application Deadline: August 15, 2025

📍 Location: NICAT Campus, Islamabad

Selected startups will join a 12-week intensive program starting in September 2025. This includes on-site training, prototype development, mentorship, and demo-day pitching to local and international investors.

How to Apply:

Visit www.nicat.tech or follow their official LinkedIn page for updates, eligibility criteria, and submission details.

Final Thoughts: Pakistan’s Moonshot Begins Here

NICAT is not just an incubator — it’s a national mission wrapped in a startup program. In a world where technological dominance defines national power, platforms like NICAT can help ensure that Pakistan becomes a builder, not just a consumer, of frontier tech.

If you’re a founder building something bold — especially in domains that others shy away from — then NICAT may be the launchpad you’ve been looking for.

NICAT Launches Cohort 6: Pioneering Aerospace Innovation in Pakistan

Islamabad – July 2025
The National Incubation Center for Aerospace Technologies (NICAT) has officially announced the launch of Cohort 6, opening its doors once again to ambitious startups and innovators working at the cutting edge of aerospace and frontier technologies. With its unique position at the intersection of defense, deep tech, and private innovation, NICAT is calling on Pakistan’s best minds to apply and be part of a national effort to build technological sovereignty.

This latest cohort marks another milestone in NICAT’s journey to transform Pakistan’s innovation ecosystem, encouraging startups that align with national strategic needs — while also preparing them for global competitiveness.

NICAT: An Innovation Engine Powering Pakistan’s Aerospace Future

Founded in 2022, the National Incubation Center for Aerospace Technologies (NICAT) is more than just a startup accelerator. It is a strategic platform built to catalyze high-impact entrepreneurship in sectors traditionally underrepresented in Pakistan’s tech scene — namely aerospace, defense technologies, and emerging frontier domains.

The center is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of IT & Telecom, executed through Ignite – National Technology Fund. It is managed by a powerful consortium led by Netsol Technologies, in collaboration with NASTP (National Aerospace Science & Technology Park), Air University, and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra — institutions deeply rooted in Pakistan’s aerospace and defense infrastructure.

NICAT’s location, mission, and partnerships uniquely position it within Pakistan’s defense-tech ecosystem, enabling participating startups to gain real exposure to national priorities, high-stakes R&D, and advanced manufacturing.

Impact So Far: 77 Startups, Billions in Revenue, Thousands of Jobs

In just three years, NICAT has already delivered results that underscore its value:

  • 77 startups incubated

  • Over PKR 1.2 billion in facilitated investments

  • More than PKR 3.1 billion in collective revenues

  • Creation of 20,000+ jobs

  • Participation in international showcases, forging global partnerships

These milestones are not just statistics; they represent a vibrant pipeline of deep-tech innovation that is steadily expanding Pakistan’s technological frontier.

Cohort 6: What’s New?

With Cohort 6, NICAT is doubling down on purpose-driven innovation. This cohort will place stronger emphasis on:

🎯 Need-Based Startup Scouting

NICAT is moving from passive applications to proactive identification of startups that are aligned with national security priorities and high-growth tech domains.

🛰️ Full-Spectrum Aerospace Innovation

From avionics and drones to private aviation systems, space technologies, and AI-based defense tools, Cohort 6 is focused on filling critical gaps in Pakistan’s aerospace supply chain and advanced manufacturing ecosystem.

🌐 Dual-Use & Frontier Technologies

NICAT is welcoming dual-use technologies that can benefit both defense and civilian sectors. Startups working on robotics, clean energy for aerospace, AI, IoT, cybersecurity, and smart materials are especially encouraged to apply.

What Sets NICAT Apart?

NICAT operates on a bootcamp-driven, sprint-based model that gives founders the tools they need to scale — quickly and with precision.

⚙️ Agile, Founder-First Approach

NICAT’s programs are not one-size-fits-all. Instead, they are tailored to the startup journey, ensuring that entrepreneurs receive support aligned with the technical and regulatory challenges of aerospace and defense innovation.

🔬 Access to High-Tech Labs

Startups accepted into the cohort gain access to state-of-the-art labs, simulation facilities, manufacturing units, and engineering environments that are typically inaccessible to early-stage companies.

🤝 Industry-Integrated Mentorship

NICAT’s ecosystem is rich with aerospace veterans, engineers, technologists, and defense planners who mentor founders in real time, ensuring practical alignment with market needs.

🧭 Strategic Growth Pathways

Each startup undergoes structured modules in:

  • Market validation

  • Compliance and regulation

  • Prototyping and pilot production

  • Investor readiness

  • Global market entry strategy

Voices Behind the Vision

Shayan Yar, Program Director, NICAT

“We built NICAT for founders who are curious, driven, and serious about solving tough problems. If you’re working on something ambitious — especially in aerospace, defense, or frontier technologies — this is where you’ll find the people, partners, and support to take it further.”

Shayan emphasizes that NICAT isn’t just about facilities; it’s about building deep-tech communities, empowering founders, and connecting them with real systems, markets, and missions.

Adeel Aijaz Shaikh, CEO of Ignite

“NICAT is a testament to how public-private collaboration can build a world-class platform for indigenous innovation. Cohort 6 is another step toward making Pakistan a competitive player in the global high-tech economy.”

According to Mr. Shaikh, NICAT exemplifies how ecosystem synergy — between government, academia, private tech, and startups — can produce lasting economic and national impact.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Core Value

NICAT is actively working to ensure that every aspiring innovator has a seat at the table. Diversity isn’t a side-note; it’s a central strategy.

💪 Supporting Women and Marginalized Innovators

  • Startups led by women, differently abled persons, and innovators from underserved regions are encouraged to apply.

  • NICAT provides a safe, inclusive, and enabling workspace that respects different backgrounds and facilitates equal opportunity.

By championing gender equity and regional inclusion, NICAT is laying the foundation for a more holistic innovation ecosystem that reflects Pakistan’s demographic realities.

Who Should Apply?

Applications are now open for Cohort 6. NICAT is looking for mission-driven teams that have moved beyond the idea stage and are ready to build and scale.

Eligible Startups Must Have:

  • A Prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

  • A clear roadmap to product-market fit or scale-up

  • Solutions aligned with one or more of the following sectors:

Targeted Sectors:

  • Aerospace Technologies

  • Defense-Tech & Dual-Use Systems

  • AI, Machine Learning & Big Data

  • Internet of Things (IoT)

  • Advanced Manufacturing

  • Space Exploration & Private Aviation

  • Clean-Tech & Energy for Aerospace

  • FinTech for Defense Ecosystems

  • Agri-Tech & Bio-Tech with Strategic Value

  • SDG-aligned Deep-Tech Innovations

Whether you’re working on drones that support disaster response, AI-powered threat detection, or sustainable propulsion systems, NICAT wants to hear from you.

Why NICAT? Why Now?

As the global aerospace and defense landscape evolves, Pakistan must not be left behind. NICAT is Pakistan’s proactive answer to:

  • Global militarization of AI and space technologies

  • Changing economic models for aerospace startups

  • Increased demand for local tech solutions in defense and security

By helping startups develop intellectual property, build local capacity, and connect with international markets, NICAT is bridging the gap between talent and opportunity.

Real Stories, Real Success

From drone companies securing defense pilot contracts, to AI startups partnering with international R&D labs, NICAT has produced a pipeline of startups that break silos and build for global challenges.

Graduates of previous cohorts are now working with:

  • Government agencies

  • Global investors

  • Regional manufacturing hubs

  • Research institutions

These real-world deployments and linkages are proof that NICAT’s model works — and works fast.

Timeline & Application Process

📅 Application Deadline: August 15, 2025

📍 Location: NICAT Campus, Islamabad

Selected startups will join a 12-week intensive program starting in September 2025. This includes on-site training, prototype development, mentorship, and demo-day pitching to local and international investors.

How to Apply:

Visit for updates, eligibility criteria, and submission details.

Final Thoughts: Pakistan’s Moonshot Begins Here

NICAT is not just an incubator — it’s a national mission wrapped in a startup program. In a world where technological dominance defines national power, platforms like NICAT can help ensure that Pakistan becomes a builder, not just a consumer, of frontier tech.

If you’re a founder building something bold — especially in domains that others shy away from — then NICAT may be the launchpad you’ve been looking

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