KARACHI: Pakistan Business Council (PBC) and The Pakistan Initiative (TPI) have jointly announced the launch of a Startup Pitch Competition aimed at showcasing high-potential Pakistani and Pakistan-focused ventures at the upcoming Pakistan Conference at Harvard 2026.
The initiative is designed to provide a global platform for emerging startups, connecting them with investors, business leaders and key stakeholders, while promoting commercially viable ideas aligned with Pakistan’s economic growth objectives.
According to the organizers, the competition will follow a rigorous selection process, with short-listed founders invited to present their ideas live at the conference. A jury comprising business leaders, venture capital representatives and investors will evaluate the pitches, focusing on ventures that demonstrate clear problem-solving approaches, scalability and practical execution.
The competition is being launched under the broader theme of the conference, “From Potential to Performance,” highlighting the importance of translating ideas and talent into measurable economic outcomes.
The initiative comes at a time when Pakistan faces significant employment challenges, with a large youth population and an estimated requirement to create 25 to 30 million jobs by 2030. Organizers say the pitch prize is intended as a practical step to support innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation by linking startups with capital and mentorship opportunities.
Chairperson PBC Zeelaf Munir said Pakistan’s future growth depends on building scalable and competitive enterprises, adding that platforms like the Harvard conference help connect local talent with global networks and investment. Vice Chairman PBC Ziad Bashir said the collaboration reflects the private sector’s willingness to support startups capable of driving productivity and economic expansion.
The Pakistan Conference at Harvard 2026, scheduled for April 12, is expected to be one of the largest Pakistan-focused gatherings in North America, bringing together participants from government, business, academia, media and the diaspora. The event will focus on key national issues including governance, productivity, investment, innovation and Pakistan’s global narrative.
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