NICAT - Key Persons
Agha Abdul Rahman has a strong track record of supporting startups and helping them succeed through his work in incubation and innovation management. As the Head of Department at the Startup Incubator at the University of Lahore, he built and led the startup incubator which became a hub for innovation, providing resources, mentorship, and support to early-stage startups.
Agha also served as a Program Manager for a Japan-based startup accelerator, where he worked with 10 growth-stage startups to expand their businesses in Southeast Asia. During his time at Rainmaking-Startupbootcamp/X-Hub Accelerator, he played a critical role in managing the accelerator program, helping 10 Japanese startups to establish a foothold in the Southeast Asian market.
Agha has also demonstrated his expertise in innovation and entrepreneurship consultancy for corporates and the education sector while working at E&I Management Consultants. He has a certification in Startup Incubation Management from Cranfield School of Management and DICE British Council, which he utilizes to help corporates and educational institutions set up and manage their own startup incubators.
Agha's accomplishments extend beyond his work in incubation and acceleration. He is also one of the few Pakistanis to have been selected for the Y-Combinator Startup School in 2019, and one of only three Pakistani startups to have been chosen for the Al Basr Hajj Hackathon 2019. With a Bachelor's in Computer Science and a certification in Blockchain Hyperledger Fabrication, Abdul brings a unique combination of technical expertise and business acumen to his work.
Ahmed Mujtaba Khan has a wealth of experience in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation. As Director of Entrepreneurship at Innovators Garage, his responsibilities include strategic planning, organizing, and directing all phases of Entrepreneurship & Innovation programs, business development, consulting, and teaming programs. He is also responsible for fiscal management, budgeting, marketing, and for being the external face of all programs in the department.
Prior to his current role, Ahmed served as a Senior Manager at the Center for Global Innovators, where he led the Social & Creative program at National University of Modern Languages Islamabad and contributed to the project from proposal to inception and inception to conclusion stage. He also has experience as a Manager at Max Strategy, where he was responsible for hunting for and evaluating the business opportunities in the market, building collaborations with key players, and engaging expats both consultants & industry practitioners to connect them to the local market.
Before joining Max Strategy, Ahmed worked as an Assistant Manager at Analytics, where he was primarily responsible for business development and resource management. He started his career as a Senior Associate at Grant Thornton Consulting, where he worked with the managements of numerous prestigious organizations from public and private sectors like the Board of Investment Pakistan, Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Punjab Education Foundation, Benazir Income Support Program, UNFPA, Mercy Corps, Development in Literacy and Shifa International Hospital.
Ahmed holds a Chartered Accountant degree, which is highly relevant to his experience in incubation management, and has received certification in Startup Incubation Management from Cranfield School of Management & DICE British Council as well as in Startup Incubator Management from Al-Basr Incubator KSA.
Job Titles:
- Asst. Manager Digital Marketing
Aiysha Gulalai is a young and talented marketing graduate with a strong foundation in marketing. She has already gained valuable experience by co-founding a startup, where she successfully managed marketing campaigns, budgeting, and PR. Additionally, Aiysha's experience as a content writer and sales and marketing manager has provided her with the skills to develop effective marketing strategies and research marketing opportunities. Her strengths in creative thinking, communication, leadership, and time management make her a valuable addition to any marketing team. Aiysha's personal projects, such as organizing events, pitching business ideas, and conducting research, demonstrate her ability to work collaboratively with a team, manage logistics, and think analytically. Overall, Aiysha's experience and zeal is set to bring meaningful contributions to our program and community.
Aroosa Sajid is a Masters of Business Administration graduate from Lahore School of Economics, where she also earned her Bachelors in Business Administration (Honors). She is currently a PR and Communications Executive at Nspire, an incubation initiative by Netsol Technologies. With her experience and expertise, she develops and implements strategies, initiatives and services to support and nurture aspiring entrepreneurs in the local community. Additionally, she manages budgets, coordinates with partner organizations, monitors the progress of entrepreneurs and their projects, develop and execute effective PR and communications plans to promote the brand, develop and maintain public and media relations and facilitates the development of mentorship programs and other support networks. During her internships at Bank of Punjab and Ferm Rock, she managed day to day account operations, interacted with customers to handle their queries, and managed social media applications. As a person, Aroosa is an enthusiastic foodie, a socially strong-headed extrovert, a fashion enthusiast and a creative soul, possessing strong leadership and teamwork skills.
AVM Asad Ikram (R) has extensive expertise in the aviation and engineering industry, having worked in various leadership ...
Job Titles:
- Asst. Manager Outreach
- Regional Manager for the Startup World Cup Chapter Pakistan
Asma has commendable contributions to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in Pakistan. Starting her career at the Office of Research and Innovation at NUML, Asma quickly developed a talent for organization and communication. Her ability to keep projects on track and ensure all team members were on the same page proved crucial in achieving project deadlines and goals. Her passion for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship led her to join the Center for Global Innovators and operationalize the largest innovation hub at NUML University in Islamabad. As a Program Coordinator, she developed strategies to boost the company's reputation and drive qualified startups. Her experience in managing and designing programs also served her well in her role as the Startup Summer School Program Manager at Innovators Garage, responsible for organizing and delivering an online program for aspiring entrepreneurs and university students across Pakistan.
As a Regional Manager for the Startup World Cup Chapter Pakistan, Asma played a crucial role in organizing competitions for young entrepreneurs in major universities across Pakistan. Her ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders helped her to successfully promote the competition and encourage the launch of disruptive, impact-centered startups. Her role with NICAT requires her to connect and manage relationships with partner institutes to bring in the best opportunities for startups, including talent, funding, and partnerships. Asma's self-discipline and consistency, along with her excellent conceptual and analytical skills, make her a valuable asset to any team. Her passion for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in Pakistan is evident in her work, and her ability to build relationships and connect people makes her an ideal fit for her current role as Outreach Manager.
A highly experienced entrepreneur with a proven track record of success in various industries. He has over 20 years of experience in technology, healthcare, and non-profit sectors.
As President and Entrepreneur-in-residence at the National Incubation Center for Aerospace Technologies he leads the project implementation team, oversees implementation, manages stakeholder relationships and leads partnerships and collaborations. He currently holds multiple leadership positions, such as being the Founder/CEO of HospitALL, a healthcare brand looking to disrupt how patients access care through in-person and technological interventions. He has also set up a home for elderly mothers, ‘Maa Basera' and supports a number of other philanthropic initiatives.
Additionally, he is the Executive Director at Nspire, the business incubator of Netsol Technologies, where he manages and develops a high-performing team, scouts, mentors, and coaches high-growth and high-impact startups and entrepreneurs, and evaluates various disruptive business ideas and startups for investment and acquisition. In the past, Ayub has also held various leadership roles at Netsol Technologies, including Head of Information Security Solutions, and leading the implementation team in Germany and Europe. Furthermore, he has also founded and managed a fashion startup, where he was responsible for manufacturing in Karachi and export in two cities of England; London and Southhall. He is certified in Coaching from Resource Consulting Services, Australia and holds a certification in Business to Business (B2B) marketing: creating and sustaining business partnerships from LUMS.
Job Titles:
- Admin
- Operations Executive
Faakhir brings over 25 years of distinguished service in the Pakistan Air Force to his role as an administrative and operational executive. During his time as a junior commissioned officer in the air force, he received operational training in various electronic communication systems, navigation aids, and technical intelligence and surveillance equipment. Faakhir's experience in repairing and installing technical intelligence and surveillance equipment, as well as his ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues, is invaluable in his administrative and operational role. Faakhir's experience in the military has honed his attention to detail, leadership skills, and ability to work effectively in high-pressure situations. He is a dependable and resourceful team player who is committed to achieving organizational goals. His strong work ethic and dedication to excellence make him an asset to any organization.
Job Titles:
- Project Director
- Chief Innovation Officer at Pakistan Investment Portal
Imran Jattala is a Startup & Innovation Ecosystem Builder who has coached over 25,000 aspiring entrepreneurs and mentored over 600 startup teams, helping them raise more than $5M in investments. Since 2016, he has led innovation programs in 100+ universities and incubators throughout Pakistan, with a dream of making Pakistan a Top-50 Innovative Nation with a $500B Innovation Economy by 2030.
Imran's journey began with the development of a UAV as his final year project at Air University, which led to a decade of Defense R&D experience. He was part of the First Successful Shahpar UAV flight at AWC and even reverse-engineered the Fire Control Computer of Al Zarrar Tank, which he presented to President Musharraf. In 2016, he designed and established Pakistan's First Social Creative Incubation Program in partnership with the British Council and Cranfield University, UK - scaling incubation to seven university campuses across Pakistan.
Imran serves as the Chief Innovation Officer at Pakistan Investment Portal, managing the innovation process inside the organization to develop new capabilities, architectures, and business models. His expertise has been recognized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and USAID, where he serves as an SME Accelerator Expert. He is also the Regional Director of Startup World Cup in Pakistan and the Founding Director of Hult Prize Pakistan. Academically, he is the author of the book "Innovate Faster: Disruptive Innovation Framework" and served as an Adjunct Professor at Air University in Islamabad. As the Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Zauq Group, he led the group's initiatives to build a $500B innovation economy and make Pakistan a Top-50 Innovative Nation by 2030. From 2020-2021, Imran also served as the Director of Innovation at Lahore Garrison University, where he transformed the learning ecosystem into an innovation engine within the innovation economy. Founding the Pakistan Chapter of Hult Prize and scaling it to over 70 universities across Pakistan, he has mentored over 600 startup teams and served over 100 universities and incubators in Pakistan.
Nadeem Afzal is an experienced finance professional with a strong background in financial management and accounting. He has an MBA in Finance and has worked in various industries managing financial operations. He is proficient in MS Word, MS Excel, Quick Books, and Oracle NetSuite ERP, and has a solid understanding of financial regulations and compliance, and experience of procurement.
Throughout his career, Nadeem has been responsible for ensuring timely preparation of financial information, periodic financial statements, and financial analysis. He has implemented accounting software, coordinated with financial institutions, and ensured compliance with regulatory bodies. His experience in working with government authorities and managing joint venture partners on financial matters has given him good experience of cross-border operations. Nadeem's computer and IT knowledge, including proficiency in MS Excel, MS Word, Quick Books, and Oracle NetSuite ERP, make him an asset for startups seeking to establish or enhance their financial management systems. His expertise in managing joint venture partners on financial matters and working with government authorities provides valuable insights and experience for everyday business needs.
Having an MBA in Finance, a decade an a half's experience managing financial operations for companies in various industries, strong problem-solving skills, sense of attention to detail, and ability to multitask, Nadeem has developed a keen sense to evaluate control systems to improve processes and increase efficiency, he is an asset to any project and company.
Job Titles:
- Facilities & Accounts Specialist
Nadeem Afzal is an experienced finance professional with a strong background in financial management and accounting. He has an MBA in Finance and has worked in various industries managing financial operations. He is proficient in MS Word, MS Excel, Quick Books, and Oracle NetSuite ERP, and has a solid understanding of financial regulations and compliance, and experience of procurement.
Throughout his career, Nadeem has been responsible for ensuring timely preparation of financial information, periodic financial statements, and financial analysis. He has implemented accounting software, coordinated with financial institutions, and ensured compliance with regulatory bodies. His experience in working with government authorities and managing joint venture partners on financial matters has given him good experience of cross-border operations. Nadeem's computer and IT knowledge, including proficiency in MS Excel, MS Word, Quick Books, and Oracle NetSuite ERP, make him an asset for startups seeking to establish or enhance their financial management systems. His expertise in managing joint venture partners on financial matters and working with government authorities provides valuable insights and experience for everyday business needs.
Having an MBA in Finance, a decade an a half's experience managing financial operations for companies in various industries, strong problem-solving skills, sense of attention to detail, and ability to multitask, Nadeem has developed a keen sense to evaluate control systems to improve processes and increase efficiency, he is an asset to any project and company.
Raamish Khan is an experienced professional in the field of IT and operations management. With over two years of ...
Noor ul Huda brings a wealth of marketing expertise to our incubator, having worked in a variety of roles that have equipped her with the skills and knowledge necessary to help startups grow their businesses.
Having started her career in a marketing role in a startup she has unique insight into the needs and challenges of emerging businesses. She then went on to earn an MS in Project Management, with a focus on communication and quality management. This educational background, coupled with her hands-on experience in sales and marketing, makes her wellequipped to help startups develop and implement successful marketing strategies.
Noor has a proven track record of creating effective marketing campaigns and increasing sales. Her ability to think creatively and strategically has helped her to develop targeted marketing plans that meet the unique needs of each client. In her current role as Marketing Manager, Noor is responsible for promoting the incubator, its events and offerings, as well as its portfolio of startups. She is passionate about helping startups succeed and is dedicated to building strong relationships with each of our incubated businesses.
Noor is a skilled communicator and has a talent for simplifying complex ideas into clear and concise messages. She is proficient in a variety of tools and software, including MS Project, MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint, which enables her to create engaging and visually appealing marketing materials. With Noor on board, startups can expect to receive personalized marketing support that is tailored to their specific needs. Her knowledge, skills, and passion for marketing make her an invaluable asset to our team and to the success of the startups we support.
Raamish Khan is an experienced professional in the field of IT and operations management. With over two years of ...
Job Titles:
- Investments & Legal Advisor
Saad is a highly skilled and accomplished individual with a successful track record of leading cultural transformation efforts in challenging communities and societies through academic and entrepreneurial engagement. He is known for creating impactful platforms and brands for empowerment, culture, and education, including The Knowledge Factory (TKF), a platform that has received wide national recognition and international acclaim.
In addition, Saad has gained extensive experience as an entrepreneur and startup coach through TKF's Entrepreneurs' development program and working with Netsol Technologies. Previously, he has also served as faculty of law at LUMS and FAST for a number of years, and been engaged with the British Council as a partner, consultant and international delegate to the UK. His work experience along with his educational background of Law, Statistics and Web Enterprise Development has equipped him with a strong foundation in enterprise development, digitization, e-commerce and advanced technologies.
Saad has numerous certifications from US universities, including in Entrepreneurship from Wharton, Digital marketing and social from North Western, Organizational Analysis, Machine Learning from Stanford, Critical thinking skills from Michigan and others. Saad has been recognized as a leader for culture, organizational and civic engagement by both US Dept. of State and British Council, and worked in the abroad with entrepreneurs and business development organizations. He is certified as a consultant, advisor and trainer for Startups and SME by SMEDA Pakistan, and also licensed to practice law in the high courts in Pakistan. Overall, Saad's diverse background and proven success in driving revitalization and cultural transformation efforts have positioned them as a respected leader and valuable resource for startups and entrepreneurs.
Job Titles:
- Asst. Manager Community & Events
Sarah's strength lies in her ability to build relationships and inspire others. As the Speaker and Logistic Manager for Future Fest, she successfully coordinated more than three hundred worldclass speakers and managed more than thirty thousand audience members, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. In her previous roles, she was responsible for hiring, training, and managing staff, while maintaining a positive and motivating work environment. In addition to her people skills, Sara has a keen eye for detail and is exceptional at organizing and executing events.
She has a wealth of experience curating panel discussions, fireside chats, and keynote speaker sessions on various topics, making her well-equipped to handle the diverse needs of a startup community. Sarah's experience in public relations has also equipped her with the ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders and engage with the wider community. As the Vice Principal at Zainab Foundation, she was the front face for all parent meetings, and her ability to manage staff, human resources, curriculum, and schedules ensured the smooth running of the organization. Academically Sara studied Arts, Sociology, and Psychology, and has good understanding of Commerce, Business Studies, English Literature, Religious Studies, and English Language. Her diverse background and experience in community management, event organization, and public relations make her the right fit to help our members directly.
Sarah is a natural leader with a proven track record of managing large teams and building communities. Her extensive ...
The Sir Syed CASE Institute of Technology is a premier research intensive private university located in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Job Titles:
- Creative Expert at Nspire
Tamleek is a creative expert at Nspire, an incubation initiative by Netsol Technologies. With a Master's Degree in graphic designing she is an experienced graphic designer and has worked on a wide range of projects, from marketing collateral for software products to creating logos and designing user interfaces for mobile applications, Illustrations and digital art. Her impressive portfolio of work demonstrates her ability to create visually stunning designs that capture the client's needs.