Entrepreneurs in Pakistan have historically faced a number of barriers to success, particularly accessing funds and industry expertise. Jazz xlr8, the start-up accelerator programme by Jazz, a subsidiary of VEON in Pakistan, helps to build a thriving and sustainable start-up ecosystem by discovering and supporting Pakistan’s best start-ups and empowering them through technology.

Jazz is the country’s largest mobile operator in terms of voice and data network size and customer numbers. Jazz’s xlr8 runs entrepreneur training programmes, including the incubation program at the National Incubation Centre (NIC) in Pakistan, followed by a fast-track start-up accelerator that empowers entrepreneurs through global partnerships, learning and mentorship. The programme is a first of its kind public-private partnership, teaming Jazz with Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication.

The xlr8 programme has brought together innovators, mentors and investors in a state-of-the-art facility, offering technical training, access to leading communications technology and networking opportunities to create a start-up cluster that is driving technological and economic innovation in the country. These interventions provide a model of sustainable development for the country, through innovation and technology-driven economic growth.

During the 2019-2020 period the programme took on over 40 start-ups in areas including artificial intelligence, e-commerce and FinTech.

https://jazzxlr8.com.pk/

• Pakistan

• Youth
• Women
• People with disabilities
• Entrepreneurs

Based on the success of the programme so far, the Pakistani Government has supported the creation of four more NICs following the model of the first launched with Jazz in Islamabad.

The xlr8 programme has brought together innovators, mentors and investors in a state-of-the-art facility, offering technical training, access to leading communications technology and networking opportunities to create a start-up cluster that is driving technological and economic innovation in the country. These interventions provide a model of sustainable development for the country, through innovation and technology-driven economic growth.

Inclusivity underpins the xlr8 programme, and the NIC facility, which was built with accessibility at its core. This includes physical accessibility for disabled people and young people, who make up a significant proportion of xlr8’s users, and women. To facilitate working women, the facility has set up a day-care centre where female entrepreneurs can bring their children, while they focus on building their start-ups. Jazz’s programme benefits young people in Pakistan, as the country sees an increasing number of entrepreneurs emerge from its “youth bulge”, which represents 64% of the population according to the United Nations Development Programme. To date, there have been over 100 female participants on the programme and as part of the curriculum there have been events which encourage female entrepreneurship, including one for example, which focused on ‘Connecting women to opportunities in Pakistan’. The xlr8 programme also promotes sustainable economic development and local job creation in Pakistan by helping start-ups to grow and achieve scale, through close work with other entrepreneurs and founders. By creating a cluster at the NIC, xlr8 supports the country in achieving critical mass in terms of skills development and support networks for companies and entrepreneurs.