Islamabad (TDI): The Swiss Ambassador to Pakistan, Georg Steiner, lauded the ingenuity and determination of Pakistani startups during the final round of the Davos Startup Challenge, held at Amaanibagh, Angoori.
Organized by the CITADEL Pathfinder Group’s School of Excellence, Centre for Innovation, Technological Advancement, Digital Entrepreneurs and Leadership, the event brought together promising entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and diplomats to celebrate innovation and the spirit of Pakistani enterprise.
Ambassador Steiner praised the participating startups for their professionalism and visionary approach, describing their efforts as a testament to Pakistan’s growing capacity to compete on the global stage.
“The courage to innovate and the determination to succeed shown here today truly embody the spirit of Pakistan’s youth,” he remarked, urging young entrepreneurs to continue pursuing excellence and embracing innovation despite challenges.
The event underscored Pakistan’s emergence as a key player in the international innovation ecosystem. Air Commodore (Retd) Khalid Banuri, representing the Pathfinder Group, expressed gratitude to Ambassador Steiner for supporting Pakistan’s innovation landscape.
He highlighted that the startups’ achievements demonstrated the country’s potential to drive sustainable progress through collaboration and technology.
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Imran Jattala, Advisor at CITADEL, introduced the Davos Startup Challenge and outlined its mission to empower Pakistani entrepreneurs through mentorship, global exposure, and networking opportunities.
A distinguished panel of judges, including Engr. Dr Shahid Mahmud (Chairman, Interactive Group), Wajid Gulistan (CEO, Rapidev Group), Dr Lalarukh (Director, CED at IBA Karachi), Muhammad Aneel Iqbal (Sector Specialist, Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives), Umar Azad (CEO, NADRA Technologies), and Barira Hanif (Sector and Innovation Specialist, Ministry of Planning), evaluated a range of dynamic pitches.
Competing startups such as Wiser Machines, Swich, Edversity, EKKO, Edkasa, Vector AI, SmartSphere, Eocean, Asani.io, Exambites, and Chrio presented innovative solutions across sectors including education, fintech, AI, and sustainability.
Their projects reflected not only creativity but also a strong drive to address real-world challenges through technology-driven models.
Air Commodore (Retd) Farhan Ahmed, Director of CITADEL, closed the event by expressing gratitude to all participants and stakeholders for fostering an environment that encourages innovation.
Concluding the ceremony, Ikram Sehgal, Co-Chairman of the Pathfinder Group, commended the young innovators for their resilience and creativity. “Pakistan’s greatest strength lies in its talented youth,” he said. “Do not just compete, surpass expectations. This is Pakistan’s moment.”
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
