IDEATE. INITIATE. GROW.

The Media Lab

Accelerating the Digital Media in Pakistan

Pakistan’s first incubator and accelerator for tech-based / digital media startups

ABOUT MEDIA LAB

A first of its kind venture in Pakistan aimed at identifying, supporting and accelerating early-stage innovative media startup-ideas focused on tech-based innovation in digital media and creating original content or other digital media products.

The Media Lab’s main objective is to contribute to the creation of an ecosystem that encourages digital media content monetisation in Pakistan, especially for small-scale content producers and media innovators.

The Media Lab is a youth-initiative focused at young and aspiring media professionals and seeks to invest in the next generation of digital content producers in Pakistan.

Our Process

1. YOU APPLY

Use our simple form below to tell us about your idea. Make a short video to share some details.

2. WE SHORTLIST

After reviewing all the applications, we will shortlist 12 ideas.

3. YOU PITCH

The selected 12 will be invited to an interview and a pitching session.

1. WE CHOOSE

The Media Lab will choose 6 ideas to join the Fellowship!

5. YOU GROW

The lucky six will be incubated at The Media Lab for 12 months and get access to all kinds of resources to accelerate their growth

THE MEDIA LAB FELLOWSHIP

The ‘Media Lab Fellowship Program’ is our process for selecting startup-ideas for a 12-month incubation.

Fellowships will be awarded to be startup-ideas pitched by a team of applicants, ideally comprising of 2 to 4 members. In addition to the standard incubation services, the selected startup-ideas will be provided a wide range of resources as a part of the program including but not limited to access to top-of-the-line video production equipment, investment opportunities and much more!

If you are interested, please read following sections carefully.

WE OFFER

INCUBATION

A dedicated workspace in a central location in Islamabad and access to exclusive resources, including state of the art video and cinematic production equipment lineup, a recording studio with an option to install a ‘customised set’, networking opportunities with investors and advertisers and a chance to work with a dynamic team with over 40 years of collective media experience.

Teams will be offered customised fast track skill development solutions, led by experts and top-notch professionals, with an aim to localise basic skills and resources required for each startup. Startups will also have access to exclusive events, including hackathons, lightning talks, skill development workshops and networking opportunities with top media professionals.

ACCELERATION

Customised growth solutions and hands-on training, coaching, and support in ideation, and business modeling and development to each selected start-up idea.

To help the idea translate into a business entity, hands-on legal support for ‘setting up shop’ and other related matters including financial management, and regulatory issues would be provided. Each startup would have access to long term, customised programmatic mentorship. That includes hands-on support in identifying, reaching out and pitching to potential [and pre-identified] supporters, investors, advertisers, and strategic partners and potential seed funding opportunities of up to $5,000 USD for selected startup-idea.

Finally, Media Lab startups will also have the opportunity to contest for an international exchange and placement program with related international media companies and startups.

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Phase I
Ready

Initiation of the fast-track skill development program [details of which will be shared by shortlisted startup-idea teams only]
Assistance in creating legal structures and related policies
Post incubation ideation for product and business development
Design workshops for business modelling

Phase II
Set

Selection and designation of external mentors [each startup-idea team can nominate their mentor of choice]
Comprehensive mapping of opportunities and challenges of the field, key players, markets and potential partners and investors
Pilot product development
Post pilot design fine tuning and business modelling

Phase III
Go

Marketing strategies and related engagements
Assistance in relationship development

Phase IV
Grow

Assistance in fundraising / capital generation
Assistance in partnership development
Operational assessment and support

Joining the Fellowship

The application process to join the Media Lab Fellowship is easy as pie!
Just make sure you read the categories and eligibility criteria below carefully.
Apply using the very simple google form linked below. All you need to do give some basic information about yourself and make a post a ‘video pitch’. See the application form for details.

Remember, what we are looking for is a great idea and the people who can bring that idea to life, the rest, we can help you with. Please read through this section carefully.

ELIGIBLE CONTENT CATEGORIES

The Media Lab Fellowships are not limited by the content categories. Applicants can choose from a wide range of eligible content categories — i.e. journalism, entertainment, film, food and travel vlogs, infotainment, chatbots, AI content engines etc — as long as the applicants can demonstrate a solid thought process behind your idea. A potential viability and sustainability plan to supplement the ideas will be an added plus.

The Media Lab aims to be inclusive, not exclusive, and so all innovative ideas with a focus on digital media content generation, especially if they are accompanied with a clear, concise and thought-out business plan, are welcome.

Please note that an intelligent business-model for your startup-idea is NOT a prerequisite for the fellowship application.
Quick Tip: don’t be bogged down by over-thinking on the business model, instead, try and focus on the content, quality, viability, and production strategies.

THE CATEGORIES

Niche or community based media

Startup-ideas that focus on community based, or niche content development. For example, a tech-based product reviews, a video platform or a channel for local sports fans, a food travel or fashion blog, or any other category of people combined around a special interest or area

News and journalism

Startup-ideas that focus on news and journalism content generation for a local, national or international audience including but not limited to short-videos, features and documentaries. Priority will be given to startup-ideas focusing on media and information literacy, fact-checking, and other innovative solutions to push back on online misinformation and disinformation

Digital advertising

Startup-ideas that focus on creative content production for digital advertising, data generation on brand informatics and intelligence, communication strategies for small-scale startups and business ventures

Entertainment and infotainment

Startup-ideas that focused on creating any kind of entertainment or infotainment content, including but limited to, short-films or films of a variety of genres [fantasy, drama, sci-fi etc], reality programming, digital theatre, comedy routines or stand-up stints, travelogues, or anything in this general category.

Tech and data

Startup-ideas that focus on provision of technical service-delivery to media startups, including generation of informatics for advertisers, creation of plugins and apps that can aid journalists & media industry, processing of big data for journalism and media, custom news feeds for news consumers, VR and augmented reality solutions for content delivery, or anything in this general category.

Content distribution & financial resilience

Startup-ideas that focus on improving the delivery & reach of digital content for media startups & companies including but not limited to distribution strategies & developing resilient and innovative revenue generation models and strategies for tech-based digital media startups.

Information based services

Startups focused on provision of information targeted at niche or general audience. For example development of chatbots focused on specific themes, automation of information collection, and information collection and verification tools for newsrooms.

Eligibility Criteria

To make the most out of the Media Lab’s resources, the selection will be strictly based on the defined eligibility criteria. Please read the following carefully. Applications not matching the criteria maybe disqualified.

Teams Not Individuals

The fellowship program is designed for teams to encourage a multi-disciplinary participation. Teams should include at least two, and no more than five members. Applications by individuals will not be considered for the fellowship program. Interdisciplinary teams [with members from various disciplines such as computer science, media, business] will be given preference.

Must Have a Lead

Applying teams must nominate a focal person in the application i.e. at least one person should be dedicated to the startup completely, without any other full-time engagement such as a day job or a running degree program.

Thought Process Is Important

Teams should be able to demonstrate that they have thought the idea through, including market viability, revenue generation and potential sustainability. The ‘thinking process’ — not the ‘plans’ — is important for us. It is alright if you don’t have a ‘plan’ as long as your thinking process is solid.

Diversity Is Important

Founders of the Media Lab strongly believe in equality, provision of equal opportunities and empowerment. Pitching teams that are diverse and inclusive will be given priority.

Necessary Knowledge Required

Teams pitching for tech-based startup-ideas that require substantial knowledge of coding and specific techologies must demonstrate substantial skill within the team members.

THE TIMELINE

Application for the Media Lab fellowship will open from 21st March 2019 and will remain open till 1st May 2019. We encourage aspiring and young media professionals to make the best of this opportunity and start thinking out-of-the-box media startup-ideas.

Remember, all that matters for us is a good thinking process. Good ideas and a corresponding sustainability plan are important, but only if there is a solid thinking process to support them.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch should you have a question regarding the application and selection process. See the section below for our contact details. If you want us to arrange a talk for you and fellow students in your university, write to us at the email given below.

Good luck!

MEET THE FOUNDERS

ASAD BAIG

FOUNDER

Asad Baig is a techie turned media professional who has a passion for innovation and digital media. He is a strategist and a doer and believes that Pakistan is at the cusp of a digital revolution and this is the perfect time for digital media startups to grow.

@asadbeyg

SADAF KHAN

CO-FOUNDER

Sadaf Khan is a writer with over 15 years in media & related fields. She is fascinated by the impact
that media has on the people’s lives and minds and thrives on being a part of media’s development and
progress.

@nuqsh

MOHSIN SALEEM