Accelerate Prosperity Pakistan is an initiative of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Central and South Asia that provides technical expertise and creative financial solutions for driving high-impact and growth startups towards a prosperous future. In addition to its transformative initiatives, AP Pakistan has been actively facilitating job creation through its dedicated co-working spaces. This holistic approach not only empowers entrepreneurs but also contributes to the overall economic development of the regions it operates in. The impact extends beyond Chitral, as AP Pakistan has worked extensively in places like Gilgit and Skardu to uplift the startup ecosystem and create opportunities for aspiring Entrepreneurs.
The Women Techpreneurs program focuses on preparing entrepreneurs for business growth by providing customized financing readiness training. This equips female entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate the challenges of securing funding and scaling their businesses successfully. By empowering women in the tech industry, AP Pakistan is fostering inclusivity and diversity within the startup ecosystem, driving sustainable economic growth.
Muhammad Uzair (Founder, Blimp Digital Marketing & PR) is a seasoned entrepreneur and has been a dedicated supporter of Pakistan’s startup ecosystem since 2013. His notable initiatives, including Peshawar 2.0 and Basecamp, reflect his commitment to uplifting and strengthening the ecosystem. Uzair’s contributions have made him an integral part of the entrepreneurial community, inspiring and empowering others along the way.
Recently, Blimp had the privilege to co-manage AP Pakistan’s Women Techpreneurs 2023 program, hosted at the prestigious University of Chitral. Over the course of four days, this project became a beacon of inspiration, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with essential training to kickstart their businesses and refine their ideas. Various trainers led trainings on modules that are essential for all startups to kickstart their businesses
Day 1: To equip the 40 aspiring entrepreneurs with the necessary skills and knowledge to develop effective business models, Muhammad Uzair himself conducted an engaging training session on the Business Model Canvas. This session laid the groundwork for their entrepreneurial journeys, ensuring they had the strategic vision and understanding to establish solid foundations for their startups.
Day 2: Juveria Akhlaq Arbab (Content Writer & Trainer for Marketing & Documentary Making) conducted an enlightening interactive workshop on the critical aspects of Marketing & Sales exclusively catered to the ambitious startups. This session served as a catalyst for strategic insights, empowering these aspiring tech entrepreneurs with invaluable knowledge and fostering their potential for remarkable growth and success.
Day 3: Quratulain (CEO, Ain Consulting Private Limited) conducted a comprehensive and informative training on Financial Modeling to empower the startups to navigate the complexities of business finance with confidence.
Day 4: Salman Ahmad (Co-founder, Peshawar 2.0) lent his expertise to the aspiring entrepreneurs, leading a training session on “The Art of Pitching.” Focused on refining their pitch decks for investment and growth, this workshop was instrumental in transforming their ideas into compelling narratives. The dedicated startups diligently worked on their final pitch decks, and the 14 finalists had the invaluable opportunity to present them to the trainer. With his valuable feedback, these entrepreneurs further refined their pitches for the upcoming demo session. The culmination of Women Techpreneurs 2023 was the final pitching session, held at AP Pakistan’s dedicated co-working space in Chitral.
AP Pakistan’s Women Techpreneurs 2023 program has successfull yequipped these aspiring female entrepreneurs of Chitral to navigate the challenges that lie ahead. With their innovative ideas and unwavering determination, they are ready to drive economic growth and shape a prosperous future for Pakistan’s startup ecosystem.
