Quantum Valley Pakistan launches in Islamabad with Plug and Play and CIC

Quantum Valley Pakistan was formally launched in Islamabad on 16 September. The national initiative aims to connect universities, startups, researchers and investors, with a focus on AI, quantum computing, fintech, agritech, biotechnology and medtech.

Two agreements were signed at the launch, one with Cambridge Innovation Center and one with Plug and Play. According to TechX, Plug and Play plans innovation hubs in Islamabad and Karachi and will run acceleration for 300 startups from leading Pakistani universities.

A Global Venture Acceleration Programme will give local startups 15 weeks of mentorship, followed by a two week immersion in Silicon Valley or Boston. The strategic framework was developed with St John's Innovation Centre at the University of Cambridge.

Delivery involves the ministries of planning, IT, science and technology, and defence, along with Ignite, the national technology fund. The platform will be based at the Evacuee Trust Complex in Islamabad.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the chief guest, said the planning ministry wants to connect academia, entrepreneurs, government and investors to turn knowledge into solutions. He noted that about 60 percent of Pakistan's population is young, and said the aim is to make them innovators rather than service workers. TechX also pointed to earlier steps, including 10,000 PhD scholarships and national centres for AI, robotics, big data and cybersecurity.

The launch event also included Tim Rowe, chief executive of Cambridge Innovation Center, and Seena Amidi, managing partner at Plug and Play.

The government links the effort to its goal of a 1 trillion dollar economy by 2035. Analysts quoted by TechX said execution will be the main test. They called for tax incentives, research grants and intellectual property protection, and for clear measures of success such as funded startups, patents and jobs.

Reported from coverage in TechX.