Pakistan StartUp Cup concludes

Islamabad

The US Embassy here and the Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Islamabad Chapter celebrated the conclusion of the 2015 Pakistan StartUp Cup, an intensive, nationwide business competition, says a press release.

At the closing ceremony Ambassador David Hale and Minister of CAAD presented awards to the winning startups, and the two runners-up, who competed in the national pitch session on January 26.

At the closing ceremony US Ambassador David Hale and State Minister for CAAD, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry presented awards to the winning startup, startups Patari, and the two runners-up Wifigen and MARO Tandoors. The prize money of Rs1,000,000; 750,000 and 500,000 was distributed among the winner, first and second runner-up respectively.

Through the 2015 StartUp Cup, over 450 startups from around Pakistan received coaching through multi-day ‘Build-a-Business’ workshops and regular mentoring and pitching sessions to help turn their ideas into viable businesses. Participants learned to design viable business models, develop customers base, and launch or accelerate their businesses.

The 2015 StartUp Cup in Pakistan introduced new partnerships with entrepreneurship centers across Pakistan, including the world’s first Women’s Entrepreneurial Center of Resources, Education, Access, and Training for Economic Empowerment (WECREATE) in Islamabad sponsored by the US Department of State  in collaboration with the US Pakistan Women’s Council; the Lahore University for Management Science Center for Entrepreneurship; Plan 9 and Karachi-based technology incubator ‘The Nest I/O.’

Through StartUp Cup, TiE Islamabad’s aim is to provide startups with sustained support and mentoring, essential tools for long-term success. TiE Islamabad support Pakistani entrepreneurs by increasing their access to financial resources, supporting opportunities for entrepreneurship education, and nurturing an entrepreneurial culture.  

Founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley by a group of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior professionals with roots in the Indus region, TiE’s mission is to foster entrepreneurship globally through mentoring, networking, and education.  There are currently more than 13,000 members and over 2,500 charter members in 63 chapters across 17 countries.  TiE Islamabad Chapter was founded in 2008.