In a major boost to Pakistan’s tech and startup ecosystem, all seven cybersecurity startups backed by Ignite — the innovation arm of the Ministry of IT & Telecom (MoITT) — have been officially shortlisted for the highly competitive North Star Pitching Competition at GISEC Global 2025, currently taking place in Dubai. This international recognition is a significant milestone for Pakistan’s rapidly growing cybersecurity and innovation landscape, highlighting the strength and potential of the country’s tech entrepreneurs on a global platform.
The selected startups represent a diverse range of cybersecurity solutions, from AI-powered cyber defense mechanisms to cutting-edge blockchain-secured frameworks. The shortlisted companies include Compliance Machine.ai, ThingzEye, PKIChain, Whisper Frames, Cys.AI, Securitanium – Phishstop.ai, and SmartSphere – GuardianAI. Each of these ventures reflects the core vision of #DigitalNationPakistan, where innovation, resilience, and forward-thinking technology intersect to address global challenges.
The North Star Pitching Competition is a cornerstone event of GISEC Global, the Middle East’s largest and most influential cybersecurity conference. The selection of all seven Ignite-affiliated startups underlines the exceptional quality of talent emerging from Pakistan’s National Incubation Centers (NICs) and showcases the strategic success of public-sector efforts to cultivate a robust tech innovation ecosystem.
Ignite’s announcement has sparked excitement among stakeholders across the region. This achievement not only elevates the international visibility of Pakistani cybersecurity startups but also places the country firmly on the map as a rising #TechDestiNationPakistan. Industry observers view this as a strong signal to global investors, venture capitalists, and innovation leaders that Pakistan’s startup landscape is ripe with opportunity, vision, and scalable solutions.
The shortlisted startups are known for offering solutions that are both locally relevant and globally adaptable. For instance, Phishstop.ai, under Securitanium, is known for its advanced anti-phishing algorithms, while Cys.AI leverages artificial intelligence to detect and neutralize threats in real time. PKIChain is pioneering blockchain-based identity verification, and Whisper Frames focuses on privacy-preserving communication tools. These innovations are being incubated and accelerated with the support of National Incubation Centers in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, and the NIC for Aerospace Technologies.
This collective success serves as a validation of Ignite’s continued efforts to provide a nurturing environment for startups through mentorship, funding, and global exposure. By enabling these companies to participate on prestigious global stages like GISEC, the Ministry of IT & Telecom is effectively advancing Pakistan’s ambition to be seen as a regional leader in cybersecurity and deep-tech innovation.
As the world tunes into GISEC 2025, all eyes will be on these Pakistani startups, which now have the platform to pitch to international investors, secure partnerships, and potentially scale their impact globally. Their presence at this level also reinforces the importance of sustained investment in innovation, incubators, and public-private collaboration in shaping the future of technology from Pakistan.
With #GISEC25 now underway, the participation of these startups is more than just a moment of celebration — it is a turning point in Pakistan’s evolving innovation narrative.
