National Entrepreneurship Summit for Startups in Peshawar

SCCI in collaboration with PITB Incubation and in partnership with Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) successfully conducted a two-day National Entrepreneurship Summit for the startups of Peshawar, Pakistan, on 2-3 November 2022.

The main objective of the summit was to guide and train the young entrepreneurs to develop their startups into the next levels of their business ventures, to give them an opportunity to present their startups to a panel of mentors and business experts thereby gaining their feedback on the startups, direct constructive advice, and to give the trainees an opportunity to have access to valuable business networks across South Asia and beyond.

The bootcamp was attended by 55 startup entrepreneurs who were mentored by leading startup mentors, Ms. Karishma Zakaullah, Program Associate, Code for Pakistan/KPITB, Ms. Maryam Arshad Mahmood, Director, Organization Impact Dynamics, and Mr. Syed Shakaib Ali Naqvi, Investment Associate, Zayn Capital.

The bootcamp covered all important dimensions of the development of startups such as growth hacking, how to pitch, business canvas and investment readiness.

Senator Haji Ghulam Ali, Vice President SCCI, in his remarks stated that “Startups can play a prominent role in creating employment opportunities and addressing societal issues. Through the SCCI summit series, we intend to establish this region as a preferred investment destination while maximizing technology and innovation potential by strengthening the startup ecosystems.”

Senator Haji Ghulam Ali, Vice President SCCI, addressing the startups

Mr. Zubair Ahmad Malik, Executive Committee Member SCCI, addressed the young entrepreneurs and praised the efforts of SCCI and PTIB in organizing such events. He also suggested that the three important components of a startup ecosystem, that is innovation, entrepreneurship, and favorable policy, can accelerate the creation of a new generation of homegrown businesses, which would result in speeding up the nation's economic growth.

The Mayor of Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan Mr. Zubair Ali while addressing the participants said “I am excited to continue our support for all programs that benefit youth”. He further stated, "the future of business in the world is technology-driven e-commerce platforms, so developing an entrepreneurial mindset among young minds is critical." I am grateful to SCCI, PTIB, FNF, mentors, and startups for supporting the creation of job opportunities for the masses, Mr. Ali added. 

Address by Mr. Zubair Ali, Mayor of Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan

The summit concluded with the certificate distribution ceremony.