The National Incubation Center Islamabad hosted a high-energy pitch night as EO Islamabad presented the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, giving student founders a stage to showcase bold ideas, breakthrough technology and scalable business models. Ten startups faced the pressure of a fifteen-minute pitch format, each vying for mentorship, funding and industry connections that can accelerate their growth.
Teams came from leading Pakistani institutions including NUST, Riphah International University, Pak Austria Fachhochschule, Fatima Jinnah Women University, AIR University and NUML, demonstrating the depth of student entrepreneurship across the country. The event highlighted solutions ranging from AI-powered office productivity tools to sustainability-focused ventures, reflecting the local relevance of early-stage innovation.
A panel of experienced judges brought varied industry perspectives, with Ms. Rohma Labeeb of Accelerate Prosperity, Bilal Farooq Khan as Ecosystem Support Consultant at AP, Ms. Amber Nosheen of Prosol, Ms. Mariam Abdullah Abbasi the Founder and MD of Direct Trading, Hatim Tabani of the Tabani Group of Companies, Dr. Muhammad Usman from Quest AI and Ms. Muazzima Batool Agha, Community Engagement Manager at NIC Islamabad, evaluating pitches and mentorship potential.
At the close of competition, Office Flow AI, led by Ms. Alina Nasir, was declared winner and awarded PKR 100,000 for its innovation and scalable approach. HemAidx, represented by Mr. Shaheer Ahmed, earned the runner-up prize of PKR 50,000 in recognition of its strong problem-solving potential. Both teams received certificates, exclusive mentorship access, strategic guidance and networking opportunities designed to help them scale.
NIC Islamabad supported the event as the official venue and strategic partner, reinforcing the city’s growing role as a hub for student entrepreneurship. The platform created by EO Islamabad GSEA connected young founders with mentors and industry leaders, opening pathways to further development and investment.
EO Islamabad GSEA Chair Mr. Omais Khattak praised the determination and creativity on display, saying, “The creativity we witnessed today is nothing short of inspiring. Competitions like GSEA are more than wins or losses—they’re about learning, showing up, and becoming better entrepreneurs.” He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to mentorship and global exposure as tools to help Pakistan’s next generation of leaders build sustainable ventures.
