OUR CORRESPONDENT
ISLAMABAD: In a celebration of ingenuity and social impact, a team from Abbottabad emerged victorious at the National Final of the Enterprise Challenge Pakistan, hosted by the British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott, CMG OBE in Islamabad. Their groundbreaking business idea focuses on making printed materials accessible to the visually impaired, earning them the prestigious National Final Award.
Prince’s Trust International’s research into the future of work revealed that a quarter of young people in Pakistan are inclined towards entrepreneurship as a career path, underscoring the significance of platforms like Enterprise Challenge Pakistan in nurturing entrepreneurial talent. In collaboration with SEED Ventures, the competition showcased seven promising startup ideas sourced from regional competitions across the country.
The winning team, Roshni, captivated the audience with their vision of producing educational materials and offering a braille transcription service to empower the visually impaired community. Their project not only garnered the overall award but also secured the category title of “Most Impactful (Social-Inclusion).”
Sara, hailing from Karachi, was recognized with the prestigious Global Young Achiever – Asia 2023 award for her innovative business concept of plantable pencils, further highlighting the diversity and creativity of Pakistan’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Reflecting on her journey, Sara remarked, “Enterprise Challenge Pakistan opened up my mind and showed me the potential to contribute meaningfully to society while achieving self-sufficiency.”
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, CMG OBE, commended the efforts of these young entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of empowering youth to drive entrepreneurship and embrace social and environmental responsibility.
“These extraordinary individuals exemplify the spirit of innovation and social consciousness that we aim to cultivate,” said Marriott. “Their achievements underscore the importance of platforms like Enterprise Challenge Pakistan in fostering the next generation of changemakers.”
Enterprise Challenge Pakistan continues to be recognized globally, with Forbes naming it as one of the ‘five leading global programs supporting the next generation.’ For more information on Enterprise Challenge Pakistan and the National Final.