In a powerful display of innovation and collaboration, the PAFIAST Business Club, in partnership with the Business Incubation Centre (BIC), co-organized the Cohort-2 Pitch Competition, a three-day event dedicated to fostering grassroots entrepreneurship.
With a theme aligned to “Entrepreneuring Pakistan”, the competition acted as a stepping stone for creating a culture of innovation, giving aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse academic disciplines the platform to showcase their business ideas and drive Pakistan toward a brighter economic future.
🌟 Event Highlights: A Platform for Visionaries
The Cohort-2 event brought together 50 startup founders who pitched their unique ideas to a distinguished panel of judges, all vying for a spot in the BIC Startup Incubation Program. Here’s a closer look at what unfolded:
- Who Participated?
Budding entrepreneurs from varied academic disciplines, showcasing the inclusive vision of PAFIAST’s entrepreneurial initiatives. - What Was Assessed?
- Financial viability
- Scalability of ideas
- Return on investment potential
- Who Were the Judges?
The event featured an expert panel of academicians and professionals who are shaping Pakistan’s entrepreneurial landscape:- Dr. Moazam Maqsood – Founder, NewVative
- Dr. Hamza Khan – Assistant Professor, School of Business
- Mr. Shahram Yusuf Khan – Deputy Manager, BIC
- Mr. Muhammad Younas Khan – Lecturer, School of Business
- Dr. Nauman Habib – Manager, QEC-PAFIAST
🎓 Empowering Future Entrepreneurs
During the event, Dr. Nauman Habib, Head of the School of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Professional Development, inspired participants by emphasizing the critical role of scalability and innovation in solving Pakistan’s macroeconomic and microeconomic challenges.
Capacity-building exercises were also conducted to equip startups with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape successfully.
💡 Why Cohort-2 Matters for Pakistan’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
This initiative represents more than just a competition; it’s a movement toward building a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. Here’s how it’s making an impact:
- Creating Opportunities: Providing young entrepreneurs with mentorship, guidance, and a launchpad for their startups.
- Building Networks: Connecting startups with influential academicians, industry leaders, and investors.
- Nurturing Innovation: Encouraging homegrown ideas that address local challenges and create sustainable solutions.
🙌 Acknowledging the Contributors
Such a grand event wouldn’t have been possible without the combined efforts of:
- The volunteers of the PAFIAST Business Club, whose dedication ensured smooth execution.
- The leadership of BIC, for their unwavering trust and support.
