Zindigi Prize powered by JS Bank, Pakistan’s largest entrepreneurship competition, marked another milestone with the resounding success of its KPK Regionals, co-hosted by the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI), the Directorate General of Science and Technology, and The Catalyst. The event, which spanned three days, was a vibrant celebration of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship, bringing together some of the brightest young minds from the KPK region.
The event kicked off with an inspiring opening ceremony, setting the tone for three days of intense competition and collaboration. Attendees were treated to a series of engaging workshops, insightful talks by renowned Pakistani entrepreneurs, and a dynamic Speed Dating session designed to foster connections and mentorship opportunities. The grand finale featured over 85 shortlisted startups from across the region, each showcasing their groundbreaking ideas in a bid to win the prestigious Zindigi Prize.
After rigorous evaluation by a panel of judges, Cosmosys from the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (FAST) emerged as the winner of the Zindigi Prize at the KPK Regionals hosted by GIKI. The runner-up spots were claimed by Visuar Solutions from Air University and Tahr-un-Nisa from Fatima Jinnah Women University.
Adeel Hijazi, Chief Marketing Officer at Zindigi, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “We are passionate about giving back to society, and the Zindigi Prize enables us to fulfill that commitment by empowering our most valuable assets—Gen Z and millennials. Zindigi Prize has now become the largest entrepreneurial platform in Pakistan.”
Pro Rector Sardar Amin Ullah of GIK Institute also shared his pride in hosting the event: “At GIKI Institute, we take immense pride in hosting the Zindigi Prize initiative, a testament to the powerful synergy between academia and industry. It has been a great privilege to be a part of this entrepreneurial competition, which not only fosters innovation but also underscores the vital role of such partnerships in driving societal progress. The impact of Zindigi Prize in our region is truly remarkable, and we are honored to contribute to this transformative journey.”
The event’s Chief Guest, Sajid Shah, Director General of the Directorate of Science and Technology, KPK, highlighted the significance of the Zindigi Prize in shaping the startup landscape of the region. “Zindigi Prize has consistently played a pivotal role in shaping the startup landscape of our region. As a government institution, we are more than happy to support this initiative and its far-reaching impact. We are also eager to extend our support in funding the commercialization of these startups and expanding this positive influence into other regions of KPK. Together, we can continue to foster growth and innovation across the province,” he remarked.
With its unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and empowering the next generation, Zindigi Prize continues to pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for Pakistan. The success of the KPK Regionals is yet another testament to the competition’s growing influence and its role in driving the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem forward.
