Technology and entrepreneurship make a formidable team. Nabeel Qadeer is the driving force behind Pakistan’s first business reality show, Idea Croron Ka as well as leading the Entrepreneurship wing at the Punjab Information Technology Board, Government of Punjab as Director. He heads Plan9 (technology incubator), TechHub Connect (co-working space for freelancers), E-Rozgaar Project and PlanX (technology accelerator). We asked Nabeel Qadeer to share his insights from 2017, and what he foresees for 2018. This is what he said:
Technology and entrepreneurship make a formidable team. Nabeel Qadeer is leading the Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development wing at the Punjab Information Technology Board, Government of Punjab as a Director. He heads Plan9 (Pakistan’s largest tech incubator), TechHub Connect (co-working space for freelancers), E-Rozgaar Project and formerly led PlanX (technology accelerator). We asked Nabeel Qadeer to share his insights from 2017, and what he foresees for 2018. This is what he said:
As the saying goes ‘It always seems impossible until it’s done’. The biggest takeaway for 2017 has been to never give up in the face of hurdles and adversity. Challenges will come along the way, but you need to keep your focus on what you believe in.
The impact we have created over the past year includes tipping the 140 mark on incubating startups with 10th Launchpad at Plan9, launching the e-Rozgaar program with an aim to target 40 centers in Punjab and training 10,000 freelancers, establishing the grounds for IT Census at the 4th Round table Conference with Techhub Connect, executing the best ever summer camp for WhizKids that included over 100 kids getting the taste of entrepreneurship, Rs. 12 crores of investment in startups on Idea Croron KaSeason 1, and running the 4th cycle of Herself, to empower and train women and much more.
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This past year has been full of hard work paying off. What took years to gain acceptance among the masses is now being replicated by other provincial governments which is heartening to witness. It is known for a fact that your hard work and perseverance never goes to waste and 2017 has proved just that. So in short, perseverance and determination is the key.
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Speaking on the strategy for 2018, Nabeel Qadeer shares,
I see the projects that have gained recognition among the masses and what was an alien idea a few years ago has now become a trend that is followed by many public and private organizations. While many would consider that a threat, I personally feel it is heartening to see all these young graduates having multiple opportunities to explore with regards to their career.
There are still a lot of opportunities to grab and we need to work on new ideas on the likes of Pakistan’s first business reality show; Idea Croron Ka. I look forward to more similar shows coming up that can highlight the real heroes of Pakistan and bring the attention of the nation towards how they can make their and Pakistan’s future prosperous rather than drowning them in the problems that our nation is currently facing. So while there will be many challenges along the way, the organization’s vision is to support fellow institutes and together build a better future for Pakistan.
Interview conducted/edited by: IDG Pakistan
