The Global Entrepreneurship Network Pakistan and Institute of Business Management Shahjehan S Karim Incubation Center have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding that aims to strengthen support structures for emerging entrepreneurs across the country. The MoU was signed on November 12, 2025, aligning both organisations to initiate joint activities in the lead up to Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025 and marking a significant step toward enhancing collaboration between academia and the startup community.
The partnership is based on a shared intent to nurture talent through a more holistic approach rather than limiting support to isolated engagements. By bringing together the international reach of GEN Pakistan and the academic strength of IoBM, the collaboration intends to introduce structures that help emerging founders progress from concept to scalable business models. Professor Tariq Rahim Soomro PhD, SMIEEE, Rector of IoBM, said that the agreement reflects a commitment to creating opportunities for students and entrepreneurs, explaining that the focus is on providing guidance, exposure and resources that enable innovative ideas to translate into ventures that contribute value. He stated that the institution is dedicated to helping individuals build confidence and capability through access to appropriate tools and mentorship.
The collaboration will centre on several key initiatives that both organisations will jointly undertake. These include a mentorship programme through which IoBM’s startups will be paired with mentors from GEN Pakistan’s international network, enabling them to receive guidance shaped by global best practices. The organisations will also co host workshops, seminars and pitch events, with major activities planned around GEW 2025. Knowledge sharing will be a significant part of the partnership, with both sides coordinating on incubation methods, strategies for sustainable scaling and insights into accessing global markets. Engr. Syed Rizwan Ali, Regional Coordinator for GEN Pakistan, said that collaboration with institutions such as IoBM is essential for supporting innovation at scale. He added that the partnership will help ensure that local talent benefits from exposure beyond national boundaries and gains opportunities to engage with experienced mentors worldwide.
The MoU was signed by Professor Tariq Rahim Soomro PhD, SMIEEE, Rector of IoBM, with Mr. Raza Abbas, Head of the Shahjehan S Karim Incubation Center, serving as the focal person for the institute. Representing GEN Pakistan was Engr. Syed Rizwan Ali, who is also Assistant Professor and Head of the Business Incubation Center at Bahria University Karachi Campus. Both parties expressed confidence that the collaboration will support long term capacity building within Pakistan’s startup landscape by developing initiatives designed to address the challenges faced by new founders.
GEN Pakistan and IoBM will now begin implementing the activities outlined in the MoU, with a focus on preparing programmes that will benefit entrepreneurs over the coming months and during GEW 2025. The partnership reflects increasing alignment among national institutions working to cultivate innovation, encourage entrepreneurship and strengthen the support ecosystem for emerging founders across the country.
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