65 startups to pitch ideas to experts at HEC
PHOTO: FILE
A two-day startups’ pitching competition under ‘Innovator Seed Fund’ (ISF) programme kicked off at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in the federal capital, where around 65 startups are set to pitch their innovative business ideas in front of the jury comprising a variety of industry and business experts.
HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed graced the occasion as chief guest at the opening ceremony.
ISF had initially received 205 concept notes against the available funding slots. The received concept notes were from different thematic areas such as agriculture, transportation, logistics, housing, e-commerce, digital media, construction, food resources etc.
Of the total received concept notes, 175 were shortlisted and were given pitching training. Furthermore, 65 startups were shortlisted for pitching competition before the final award ceremony for 30 winner startups which is scheduled for September 1, 2023, at Pak-China Centre, Islamabad.
The grant winners will receive up to Rs10 million (equivalent to $35,000) in seed funding in addition to support through BICs in the form of entrepreneurial training, legal training and support, financial education, business development service provision and investment readiness training.
Last year 15 ISF projects were awarded while this year 30 ISF projects will be awarded in various key thematic areas.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 30th, 2023.