Cybervision International, the managing partner of the National Incubation Centers (NIC) Islamabad and Faisalabad, has announced the appointment of Khayyam Abbas Jafri as its new Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
The move brings a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, and ecosystem development to the leadership team of Pakistan’s flagship incubation program.
Speaking about his appointment, Jafri said:
Every year, Pakistan produces between 20,000 to 25,000 IT graduates, but according to the State Bank of Pakistan, only around 10% find employment. This clearly shows that our economy cannot create enough jobs fast enough for our growing youth population. The real need of the hour is to nurture problem solvers at a national level who can pave the way for self-employment and employment generation through entrepreneurship. This is where incubation centers like NIC Islamabad and Faisalabad can play a transformative role.
Jafri’s career spans both the nonprofit and private sectors, giving him a unique perspective on building innovation-driven ventures.
In the nonprofit and donor-funded development space, he has collaborated extensively with leading global organizations, including UN Agencies and other donor agencies.
His work has focused on youth initiatives, women’s economic empowerment, and entrepreneurial ecosystem development. At TiE Islamabad, he managed large-scale donor-funded initiatives on entrepreneurship programs, ensuring quality, compliance, and impact delivery.
Earlier, as part of the Pakistan Innovation Foundation, he managed the National STEM School Program, where graduates went on to prestigious universities like MIT, Harvard, and Oxford, as well as the SCWomenInTech Programme in partnership with Standard Chartered Pakistan.
He also played a leading role in organizing one of Pakistan’s first major disability inclusion events in Karachi, designed with accessible venues, sign language interpretation, and inclusive participation.
In the private sector, Jafri has contributed to scaling startups and companies through strategic marketing and digital growth.
He was part of the founding team at Graana.com and Imarat Group, where he helped shape early marketing strategies and brand development.
Later, at IrisVision, a Silicon Valley–backed healthtech company creating wearable assistive devices for the visually impaired, he led content and communications, achieving a 43.98% organic growth.
As Marketing Manager at CitrusBits, he developed B2B strategies in niches such as AR, IoT, and QSR, driving a 22% increase in inbound conversion in overall revenue.
Alongside, his independent consultancy has supported both private and development-sector clients, including Sukali (PAK), Biz of Dev (UK), Vague (US), MayDay Dental Staffing (U.S.), etc.
At Cybervision International, Jafri will be responsible for cultivating an entrepreneurial landscape, designing and leading innovation initiatives, investment readiness programs, digital training and skill development, investment relations, strengthening strategic partnerships, and expanding mentorship frameworks at NIC Islamabad and NIC Faisalabad.
His focus will be on enabling startups to scale and on building inclusive pathways for underrepresented groups to access the digital innovation economy.
Murtaza Zaidi, CEO of Cybervision International, welcomed the move, saying:
Khayyam brings a rare blend of grassroots program design and private sector growth expertise. His leadership will be pivotal in evolving NICs into true hubs of innovation, inclusivity, and entrepreneurship that shape Pakistan’s future. At a time when the country urgently needs youth-focused initiatives and a culture of problem-solving through entrepreneurship, his appointment marks a critical step toward unlocking that potential.