Edison – CIC: Pakistan–Boston Global Accelerator (Cohort 1)

About

Cohort 1 is an equity-free, four-month program for Pakistan-based B2B technology companies that combines 12 weeks of virtual US-market preparation with four weeks of in-person buyer, investor, and ecosystem access at CIC Cambridge.

Benefits

• 🚀Equity-free program
  The program is equity-free; neither CIC Catalyst nor Edison takes equity
• 💸Covered program, round-trip flights, and accommodation
  Edison Innovation Services covers the program, round-trip flights, and accommodation in Cambridge for selected founders; founders cover meals outside program sessions and visa costs
• 🤝US buyer and investor access
  The program includes one-on-one meetings with US buyers, procurement teams, or channel partners and a closed-door US investor pitch session
• 🌍Boston ecosystem immersion
  Selected founders spend 4 weeks in person at CIC Cambridge with mentors, founder panels, curated tours, daily coworking, and Showcase Night at Venture Café Cambridge

Eligibility Criteria

• Pakistan-based company with engineering, operations, or headquarters in Pakistan
• Own B2B technology product with paying customers
• Seed to Series A stage
• At least one founder or C-level executive able to join every virtual session and all 4 weeks in Cambridge
• Working English sufficient to follow lectures and run a sales conversation
• Passport valid until at least November 2027 and a US B1/B2 visa or a booked visa interview
• US$250K+ ARR preferred
• A clear idea of who the company would sell to in the US preferred
• Not eligible: consumer e-commerce, quick commerce, ride-hailing, local logistics, and IT-services firms without their own product

Participation Commitments

• Submit company details, traction, US target, and a 2-minute pitch video in English during the application window
• One founder or C-level executive must join every virtual session and all 4 weeks in Cambridge; a second C-level decision-maker may join the virtual sessions
• Expect about 31 hours across the 12-week virtual acceleration, including group sessions, 1:1 sessions, and assignments
• Expect about 20–24 hours of structured sessions over the 4 in-person weeks in Cambridge, plus full coworking access
• Selection review runs 19 November 2026 to 19 December 2026 and may include a short video interview; decisions are due by 19 December 2026
• Virtual acceleration runs 4 January 2027 to 4 April 2027
• In-person immersion at CIC Cambridge runs 12 April 2027 to 16 May 2027
• Hold a passport valid until at least November 2027 and a US B1/B2 visa or a booked visa interview; the visa must be in hand by 12 March 2027
• Edison Innovation Services covers the program, round-trip flights, and accommodation in Cambridge; founders cover meals outside program sessions and visa costs
• The program is equity-free; neither CIC Catalyst nor Edison takes equity
• Applications close 18 November 2026, 11:59 PM PKT

Target Region

Pakistan-based companies with engineering, operations, or headquarters in Pakistan. The 4-week in-person component takes place at CIC Cambridge in Kendall Square, Massachusetts, but this delivery location does not create an additional applicant-eligibility requirement.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Healthcare & Life Sciences