The National Science and Technology Park (NSTP) and the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) have joined hands to enhance financial and digital inclusion in Pakistan. This collaboration aims to contribute to the development of skills and expertise of entrepreneurs, innovators, startups, and SME founders, fostering the kind of creative thinking that leads to innovation and eventual success in the ever-changing market environment of the 21st century.
The WBAF Financial Inclusion Programme, a global initiative of WBAF, aims to promote financial inclusion by providing startups and SMEs with access to knowledge, funding, and networks. The NSTP, in line with NUST’s vision to transform itself into a comprehensive research-led university, has maintained a focus on technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The collaboration between NSTP and WBAF is expected to benefit co-founders of startup ventures and SMEs at the NSTP through the WBAF Financial Inclusion Center.
The WBAF Financial Inclusion Center, an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), will provide support to entrepreneurs and startups by offering access to a global network of angel investors, venture capitalists, and corporate partners. This will help entrepreneurs in Pakistan to connect with potential investors and explore funding opportunities, which are essential for the growth of startups and SMEs.
The NSTP and Research & Innovation (R&I) Office of NUST, are working towards establishing an ecosystem for innovation-centric R&D, its commercialization, and fostering industry-academia linkages on the grounds of mutual benefits. The R&I Offices/Centres, including Research, Innovation & Commercialization, Placement, University Advancement, and Alumni Offices, work under the approved policy of the NUST Academic Council since April 2012.
This collaboration between NSTP and WBAF is a significant step towards promoting financial and digital inclusion in Pakistan. By providing access to a global network of investors and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, this collaboration will help Pakistan’s startups and SMEs to grow and contribute to the country’s economic development. We invite all co-founders of startup ventures and SMEs at the NSTP to benefit from the WBAF Financial Inclusion Center and explore the opportunities that it offers to help drive innovation and success.
