uhammad Siddique has pioneered the introduction of gasification technology as a smoke-free fuel solution in Pakistan through his startup, Creeco. Amid the worsening smog crisis, this startup is emerging as a key player in tackling air pollution. Specialising in the manufacturing of biomass gasifier plants, Creeco converts agricultural waste into environmentally friendly and cost-effective fuel gas.

Muhammad Siddique’s groundbreaking achievement recently earned him recognition as one of the five runners-up in the introduction of new technologies across Pakistan’s National Incubation Centers. He is a proud graduate of cohort 3 at the National Incubation Centre Faisalabad.

In a conversation with The News on Sunday, Siddique said that gasification technology can be helpful in the transition to clean and green energy. Machinery, including engines, tractors, threshers, generator sets, burners and boilers can use this technology to lower their emissions.

“Our startup provides a sustainable and affordable alternative for farmers and industries through gas and electricity derived from biomass. This is crucial for a country like Pakistan grappling with rising fuel prices and environmental challenges,” he said.

He said that the new fuel not only reduces carbon and greenhouse gas emissions but also lowers production costs for industries by offering affordable electricity and gas.

Siddique’s work highlights the untapped potential of utilising local resources to decrease reliance on non-renewable energy, aligning with Pakistan’s sustainability goals and international climate commitments.

SAWiE is a digital platform offering precision farming advisory and data-driven solutions. By utilising satellite imagery and machine learning models, this startup predicts crop health and provides farmers with actionable insights, enhancing productivity in the face of changing climate conditions. The platform’s real-time monitoring detects and mitigates crop diseases early, leading to higher yields.

SAWiE was the second runner-up at the prestigious Greentech Hub Initiative held during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. This milestone underscores the startup’s dedication to revolutionising agriculture through advanced AI-powered solutions, empowering farmers and improving supply chain efficiency, thereby playing a pivotal role in the sector’s sustainability.

According to SAWiE’s founder, Dr Khalid Mehmood, their success stems from a commitment to integrating AI and data-driven solutions into agriculture.

“Our system facilitates complete traceability of agricultural products using QR codes. Consumers can access detailed information about a product’s origin, the type of pesticides and chemicals used and farming practices employed. This enhances transparency and trust in agricultural supply chains,” he said.

Dr Mehmood also said that real-time weather updates, crop-specific advisory alerts and tailored recommendations can be accessed through a mobile phone app.

“These insights empower farmers to make informed decisions, optimise resource use and reduce risks while improving productivity. We deliver customised advisory solutions for farmers, agribusinesses and stakeholders,” he said.

He said that the core mission of SAWiE is to enhance the agricultural sector’s performance, promote sustainability and bridge the gap between technology and traditional farming methods while addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

Hamid Ali, an engineer by profession, is the founder of Refurb N Up. He says that 670 million tonnes of e-waste, comprising mobile phones, laptops, computers and accessories, is discarded annually around the globe. In developing countries like Pakistan, most of this e-waste ends up in landfills or is processed through environmentally harmful methods to extract valuable metals like gold.

“Our startup’s core idea is to prevent e-waste from reaching landfills and give it a new lease of life. By repairing or refurbishing digital devices, we aim to make technology more accessible and affordable for the average person while harvesting usable components from e-waste to create improved devices,” says Hamid.

Over the past two years, the NICF has nurtured more than 76 startups, creating 1,110 jobs, generating revenues of Rs 52.9 million and securing investor commitments of Rs 404.5 million. “Faisalabad’s entrepreneurial mindset sets it apart from other cities,” says Zeeshan.

He says that Refurb N Up has a critical role in combating climate change by significantly reducing carbon emissions. “Refurbishing three to four laptops or five to six mobile phones can prevent over a tonne of carbon dioxide emissions. This also conserves valuable minerals, resources and water.”

Hamid says the financial potential of converting carbon reduction into carbon credits. “Each tonne of carbon dioxide avoided equals one carbon credit, which is globally traded at $80-120. Carbon-negative companies are eager to buy these credits. Pakistan has untapped potential in this area.”

Hamid says detrimental e-waste recycling practices in Pakistan often involve burning waste, resulting in additional carbon emissions and the loss of many reusable parts. His startup aims not only to streamline the informal e-waste recycling sector but also collaborates with Smart One, Pakistan’s third-largest fin-tech company. They refurbish and repair their POS machines, repurpose e-waste into batteries, and plan to start local assembly of POS machines to conserve foreign exchange.

“Our vision is to become Pakistan’s leading refurbishment house,” says Hamid. He says he wants to follow the example of major tech companies like Apple, HP and Dell, which retrieve damaged devices from customers and provide them to responsible refurbishment centres for sustainable recycling and reuse.

Ali Asghar, founder of another startup, Fine Thread, identified the need to align with global eco-friendly trends. He developed an innovative thread blend using 50 percent recycled PET fibre and 50 percent polyester, reducing reliance on virgin materials. Fine Thread also in-sourced its dyeing process and became Pakistan’s first to achieve OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, ensuring eco-friendly production. Despite high costs and challenges, it invested in wastewater treatment and sustainability certifications. It exemplifies how profitability and environmental responsibility can thrive together in Pakistan’s textile industry.

Aman Khokhar and Faraz Nayyar, founders of the Clearlife Technologies startup, have developed an affordable portable water purification plant that makes water safe for reuse in agriculture. The innovation has the potential to revolutionise Faisalabad’s textile industry, which has long been criticised for discharging untreated industrial wastewater. By ensuring compliance with local and international environmental regulations, this solution provides a sustainable and cost-effective method to address water scarcity. The plant’s portability and reliance on solar energy make it an eco-friendly option for water management.

The young founders are now working to enhance the capacity of their portable wastewater treatment plant to meet industrial requirements, with plans to market it commercially.

The National Incubation Centre Faisalabad was established in 2022 as Pakistan’s premier agri-tech incubator. A public-private partnership under the Ministry of Information Technology and a consortium led by the FFC, the centre provides mentorship, resources and financial support to startups, empowering them to address critical industry challenges with innovative solutions.

Zeeshan Shahid, the NICF project director, said climate change was impacting agriculture, a vast and diverse sector. He said that the NICF’s agri-tech startups were pivotal in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

“Our startups are addressing water conservation and wastewater treatment, introducing low-cost energy solutions using agricultural waste to combat smog and enhancing agricultural productivity. Others are working on improving livestock productivity, reclaiming barren lands and upgrading irrigation systems,” he said.

Shahid said that while the startup ecosystem in the America and other developed countries matured decades ago, Pakistan’s ecosystem was still in an early stage.

“Although Pakistan’s startup ecosystem cannot yet compare to those in the US, China or other advanced economies, our startups have garnered significant recognition, particularly in Central Asia and the Middle East. Several investors have expressed interest in funding our startups, reflecting their growing potential and impact,” he said.

As Pakistan’s only dedicated agri-tech incubation centre, the NICF attracts startups from across the country, offering specialised support tailored to agri-tech needs. “We help transform innovative ideas into profitable commercial ventures,” he said. “We’ve also converted numerous patents and research from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad into successful businesses.”

Most startups approach the NICF seeking funding or mentorship. The centre holds individual assessments to equip entrepreneurs with the skills needed to turn their ideas into thriving enterprises.

“Our partnership with the Silicon Valley-based Founders Institute, one of the world’s top incubation centres, allows us to use their curriculum, which emphasises hands-on, practical training for entrepreneurs rather than conventional academic approaches. We also connect startups with industry players and prepare them to secure investments,” he said.

Over two years, the NICF has nurtured more than 76 startups, creating 1,110 jobs, generating revenues of Rs 52.9 million and securing investor commitments of Rs 404.5 million. “Faisalabad’s entrepreneurial mindset sets it apart from other cities,” said Zeeshan. “People here are naturally inclined towards business. Their ideas often revolve around solving real-world industrial challenges. When these entrepreneurs join us, we link them with industry stakeholders, accelerating their growth significantly.”

Discussing opportunities for Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, Zeeshan said there was immense potential. “With 40-45 per cent of the population engaged in agriculture, there is vast scope for startups to enhance productivity and drive digitisation. Additionally, over 100 million people lack access to financial services, presenting untapped opportunities for fin-tech startups and investment. E-commerce is another rapidly expanding sector in Pakistan, offering substantial room for new startups as several international platforms enter the market.”

Startups face significant challenges, including political instability and disruptions in internet connectivity.

“Most of these startups are technology-driven. Interruptions in internet service can halt their operations entirely. Resolving this issue will empower the ecosystem on its way ahead,” he said.

The writer has been associated with journalism for the past decade. He tweets @naeemahmad876