In a significant move to enhance cross-border entrepreneurial cooperation, Riyadh-based Tech Horizons Venture (THV) has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Incubation Center (NIC) Lahore. The collaboration is designed to create a seamless pipeline for high-growth startups in both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, providing them with the structural support, regulatory guidance, and investor networks needed to scale internationally.
Facilitating Market Entry Through The SoftLander Program
A cornerstone of this partnership is the “Soft Landing” initiative, which aims to simplify the complexities of entering the Saudi market for Pakistani startups. Through THV’s specialized SoftLander program, international founders gain access to essential services including market research, business planning, and legal and regulatory compliance.
The program is designed to reduce the traditional barriers to entry in the Kingdom, allowing ambitious startups to leverage THV’s extensive local network and business development expertise. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader economic goals of attracting global talent and fostering a diverse, technology-driven economy.
Building Direct Links To Regional Investors
Beyond market entry, the partnership focuses on bridging the funding gap between the two regions. Tech Horizons Venture and NIC Lahore will co-organize high-impact pitching sessions and networking events, connecting Pakistani founders with Saudi-based venture capitalists and angel investors.
By integrating these two vibrant ecosystems, the collaboration seeks to foster joint webinars, knowledge exchange sessions, and innovation projects. These efforts are intended to harmonize the startup cultures of Riyadh and Lahore, ensuring that entrepreneurs from both nations can share best practices and collaborate on creative business solutions.
Strengthening The Saudi-Pakistan Tech Corridor
This partnership reflects a growing trend of “venture building” across the MENA and South Asia regions. While NIC Lahore brings its experience as a pioneering incubator supported by Pakistan’s Ignite National Technology Fund, THV contributes its “SoftLander” and “Gaming Studio” capabilities. Together, they are establishing a formal corridor that allows top-tier startups to move beyond their domestic borders and thrive in the dynamic Saudi economy, which remains one of the most active investment landscapes in the region.
About Tech Horizons Venture
Tech Horizons Venture (THV) is a Riyadh-based venture building and investment firm that specializes in efficiently scaling startups by matching talent with proven growth processes. THV operates as a “one-stop-shop” for entrepreneurs, offering services ranging from ideation and validation to product development and market entry. Its flagship “SoftLander” program is specifically tailored to help international companies navigate and expand within the Saudi market, while its Gaming Studio develops and publishes localized content for the MENA region.
About NIC Lahore
The National Incubation Center Lahore (NIC Lahore) is a premier technology incubator in Pakistan, supported by the Ignite National Technology Fund and the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication. Spearheaded by a consortium led by NetSol Technologies and including partners like HBL and Plug and Play, NIC Lahore hosts approximately 50 startups annually in its incubation program. The center is dedicated to transforming Pakistan into a global innovation hub, with a strong emphasis on supporting women-led ventures and providing international acceleration opportunities.
Source: Tech Horizons Venture
