City of Austin and ID92 bring ATX+PAK Program to Pakistan for the second time!
After a magnanimous success of the first phase of the ATX+Pak Program (a 3 week long, fully paid entrepreneurial exchange to the city of Austin, USA), ATX+PAK launched its application for second phase earlier this year. After a tough competition, Innovation District 92 (backed by The Superior Group) has been announced as the in-country partners of ATX + Pak Advance!
ATX+Pak Advance is a longer, more extensive version of phase 1 and will focus on more concurrent programs (Global Market Access and Fashion Forward Initiative) for Pakistani entrepreneurs.
‘I’m super delighted to announce the renewal of ATX+Pak grant and have Innovation District 92 as one of our trusted partners in Pakistan. Through this partnership we will scale and grow 10 startups, increase import and export activity in fashion and grow businesses between Austin and Pakistan! Congratulations!’ – Alicia Dean
This partnership is a result of the combined efforts of Alicia Dean, Founder ATX+Pak Program and Strategic Marketing Communications Consultant, Government of Texas, USA, Nabeel A. Qadeer, CIO The Superior Group and Co-Founder Innovation District 92, and Faizan Mahmood, General Manager Innovation The Superior Group and Head of Strategy Innovation District 92.
Having previously sent 22 startups to Austin, out of which 70% succeeded in raising investments, the ATX+Pak Program is a tried and tested model to be followed. Moreover, the City of Austin and Lahore formally entered a Science City partnership to facilitate and promote increased commercial trade and cultural programming between Texas and Pakistan.
The current Advance version of this program operates in two tracks which are as follows:
- Global Market Access: An advanced business development program designed for growth-stage start-ups only. Through the GMAP, 10 startups will be graduated with viable global expansion/partnership plans that are ready to be implemented within a year of program completion.
During the one month Austin visit, the GMAP Team, Capital Factory, City of Austin, and mentors, using their extensive network will schedule several meetings with relevant industry contacts. Companies will also be provided free consultation from local experts in the areas of law, including immigration/visas, corporate, and tax.
- Fashion Forward Initiative: Designed to facilitate new commercial opportunities and creative partnerships for Textile manufacturers, fashion designers and fashion related startups in the U.S. and Pakistan, the initiative’s main focus is to increase import/export activity.
The initiative will also focus on developing strong commercial, cultural and collaborative links in the fashion industry. Currently there are 3 Pakistani designers (Erum Khan, Rana Noman and Maryam Khizer) showcasing Pakistan on the ramps of the ModaX fashion show in Austin, Texas.
‘Nabeel and I have always envisioned Pakistan as a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and through programs like these we aim to build capacity of the local talent by giving them an opportunity to create a global footprint.’ – Faizan Mahmood, Head of Strategy at ID92 and General Manager Innovation at Superior Group
While Innovation District 92 will serve as the home-base for this program, the call for applications are open for each and every entrepreneur of Pakistan! Representatives from GMAP and Capital Factory will travel to Pakistan during the 45 day call for applications and travel to each partner facility to scout maximum talent. Female founders are highly encouraged to apply for this exchange.
Applications open November 1st and close on December 15th, 2018. The first cohort of 5 companies travels in Fall 2019 and the second cohort of 5 companies travels in Fall 2020. The detailed itinerary, application timeline and selection criteria will be revealed soon on the ID92 website and the official GMAP website.
Click here for Program Details: http://id92.pk/atxpak-advance-program/
For more information and updates about ATX+PAK, City of Austin and ID92, visit the following links:
Facebook: /atxpakstartups
Facebook: /innovationdistrict92
Twitter and Instagram: @id92_pk
Website: http://austintexas.gov/