Open Karachi was launched in December 2011 after the OPEN Global Retreat where the formation of the Karachi chapter was approved by OPEN Global. The aim of OPEN Karachi is to develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Pakistan.
With an objective to help develop networking, mentoring, incubation and acceleration programs, OPEN Karachi aims to engage private sources of finance and creation of angel investor networks to provide funding for start-up ventures.
Recently, OPEN Karachi has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with one of the biggest hospitals in Karachi i.e. the Aga Khan University Hospital and Pharmevo Private Limited for to support digital health and innovation in healthcare projects at Aga Khan University Hospital.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Zakiuddin Ahmed, the President of OPEN Karachi and the Director Digital Health Pharmevo Private Limited with Mr. Firoz Rasul the President of Aga Khan University Hospital.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Zakiuddin said, “Innovation is the lifeline of our university as well as our country, and we are looking forward to new ideas and products from our students and faculty. AKU has emerged as the only university that has taken such an initiative and we are ready to support their students and faculty in materializing their innovative ideas.”
Furthermore, according to him OPEN is also currently running a virtual hospital where doctors and patients are connected through technology and regularly conduct webinars to promote health care in Pakistan. At the ceremony, four groups presented their projects and apps based on promotion of research, transforming workplace-based teaching, and improving student relations and helping them organize their studies.
