Islamabad's NIC swaps traditional career fair for startup matchmaking expo

From equity conversations to on-the-spot hiring, fair redefined how students connect with Pakistan's startup ecosystem

Islamabad's National Incubation Centre (NIC) hosted a Founder’s Fair from April 6 to 8, allowing for a curated, high-energy networking expo that bridges the gap between high-growth startups and top talent.

By replacing traditional career fairs with direct matchmaking, co-founder pairing, and on-the-spot hiring opportunities, the event aimed to connect innovative startups with students for high impact roles.

 

 

 

 

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The centre posted the event on its Instagram page, thanking the founders and students who showed up ready to build. “Last week, we traded small talk for high-stakes strategy and brochures for equity conversations," the centre wrote, adding, that the fair "wasn’t just a networking event; it was a curated matchmaking expo designed to bridge the gap between Pakistan’s brightest final-year talent and the high growth startups ready to scale”.

The organisation further noted that the next generation of builders is not focused on finding a “safe job”, but securing a seat at the table.

 

 

 

 

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The event also included workshops where assumptions were challenged, and students were allowed to explore financial clarity, investor understanding, and the art of building a compelling pitch.

 

 

 

 

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Sharing media of the event, the NIC posted images from a session where over 40 ecosystem leaders engaged in discussions, asked questions, and worked toward building mutual understanding. The Cohort-5 final judging panel includes founders, chairpersons, managers, and vice presidents of various companies, including the Chief Executive Officer of Takhleeq, Ali Shah, the Co-Founder of Marham, Asma Omer, along with the Chairman of Rozee, Monis Rahman, among other leading business figures.