IBA-CED to launch Sindh's first startup accelerator

Marking a significant milestone for Sindh's entrepreneurial landscape, the IBA's Centre for Entrepreneurial Development (IBA-CED) and Sapphire Consulting Services have partnered to launch the province's first government-supported startup accelerator.

The initiative brings together the public sector, private industry, and academia in a first-of-its-kind alliance dedicated to nurturing high-potential startups and accelerating innovation in Sindh. The accelerator will support entrepreneurs registered in Sindh through an eight-month programme that provides business advisory, mentorship from industry experts, and access to investors.

Startups selected for the programme will work towards refining their business models, building market traction, and preparing for fundraising, culminating in a Demo Day at IBA Karachi.

The award marks one of the first instances of a Sindh government fund backing a structured academia-industry accelerator.

The signing ceremony took place at the SEDF headquarters in Karachi. The agreement was formally signed by Khizar Pervaiz, CEO of SEDF; Dr Lalarukh Ejaz, Director IBA-CED; and Faizan Gul Shaikh from Sapphire Consulting Services.

Key representatives from the government of Sindh, including Syed Qassim Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Investment and PPP Projects, and Raja Khurrum Shahzad Umar, Secretary, Investment Department, played an instrumental and visionary role in bringing this project to life and attended the ceremony.

The project aims to scale growth-ready startups by providing structured business support, strategic mentorship, and investment pathways, positioning Sindh not just to nurture individual startups but to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem that contributes to long-term economic growth and competitiveness.