Austin to Host ATX-PAK Tech Exchange Program

A new exchange program created to link Austin technology entrepreneurs with their colleagues in Pakistan will be presented in April. The program, which is named ATX+PAK, aims to place almost 24 entrepreneurs from the Pakistan-based Information Technology University’s business incubator in Austin-based incubators and accelerators for three weeks.

Austin to Host ATX-PAK Tech Exchange Program

According to an announcement from Austin’s economic development department, coordinators believe the placements to offer the entrepreneurs with advanced training, mentorship and networking opportunities.

The two-year program is being sponsored by a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan. The first of four groups of participants is planned to visit Austin in April.

The Pakistani program comes on the resoles of similar exchange programs including local tech entrepreneurs set up in 2015.

The Tech Ranch business incubator in mid-2105 teamed with the Japan-based Science, Art and Research for Reconstruction as one of 12 initiatives concentrated on the development of Japanese startups and global expansions. The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development of Japan, or NEDO, assigned $50 million of matching funds for companies funded by approved programs.

Another native incubator, the Capital Factory during March of that year, revealed plans to work with Dublin, Ireland-based Gravity to offer mutual facilities to members of the Austin incubator and co-working space in an effort to endorse startups and mid-sized businesses.