The National Incubation Center Islamabad hosted a high-energy Global Student Entrepreneur Awards event on 5 December 2025, where EO Islamabad put Pakistan’s brightest student founders on a national stage. GSEA Islamabad drew attention to student-led innovation across AI, sustainability and other tech-driven fields, creating a platform for early-stage ventures to pitch, connect and grow.
Ten startups from institutions such as NUST, Riphah International University, Pak Austria Fachhochschule, Fatima Jinnah Women University, AIR University and NUML took part, each given 15 minutes to present their vision and business model. The competition reflected a diverse range of solutions from campus founders and underlined how GSEA Islamabad is fostering entrepreneurship in Pakistani universities.
Industry leaders and ecosystem builders evaluated the pitches, including Ms Rohma Labeeb (Accelerate Prosperity), Bilal Farooq Khan (Ecosystem Support Consultant, AP), Ms Amber Nosheen (Director, Prosol), Ms Mariam Abdullah Abbasi (Founder & MD, Direct Trading), Hatim Tabani (Director, Tabani Group of Companies), Dr Muhammad Usman (Consultant, Quest AI) and Ms Muazzima Batool Agha (Community Engagement Manager, NIC Islamabad). NIC Islamabad served as the official venue and strategic partner for the event.
The top prize of PKR 100,000 went to Office Flow AI, led by Alina Nasir, recognized for its innovation and scalable business model. The runner-up position was claimed by HemAidx, represented by Shaheer Ahmed, which received PKR 50,000 for impactful problem-solving and growth potential. Both teams also earned certificates, exclusive mentorship access, strategic guidance and networking opportunities with industry experts to help them scale.
EO Islamabad GSEA Chair Omais Khattak praised the students’ perseverance and creative thinking and emphasised the long-term value of exposure and mentorship. He noted that GSEA Islamabad is part of the organisation’s commitment to invest in the next generation of leaders by providing mentorship, resources and international links that can turn campus ideas into commercially viable ventures.
By bringing investors, mentors and student founders together, GSEA Islamabad continues to strengthen Pakistan’s startup ecosystem and create new pathways for young entrepreneurs to transform ideas into sustainable businesses.
