Karachi School of Business and Leadership (KSBL) marked a milestone for its first undergraduate cohort with the successful execution of the Capstone 500 pitch fest. Curated and led by Maira Siddiqui, Head of Entrepreneurship, the event brought together nine emerging student-led startups representing five different industries. The pitch fest was more than just a classroom milestone—it was a showcase of entrepreneurial potential, clarity of purpose, and commercial readiness among the students.
Each team took the stage to present business ideas refined through months of development under the university’s entrepreneurship program. Their final presentations were judged by a panel of industry experts including Jehan Ara, Founder and CEO of Katalyst Labs; Anas Niaz, Founder and CEO of Bioniks; Dr. Talha Rehman, Co-Founder and CEO of Be Me.global; and Angel Imdad, CEO and Founder of Irverde-Gogreen. Their diverse industry perspectives brought depth to the evaluation process and encouraged sharp, investor-focused pitches from the student teams.
Three standout ventures were selected for incubation at KSBL’s upcoming startup center. Sew Dhaaga, a social impact venture aiming to support artisans through sustainable fashion and e-commerce, secured the top spot. Founded by Muhammad Rafay, Maha Abdul Rauf, and Konain Bhimani, the startup is building a direct-to-consumer model to showcase local craftsmanship at scale. Second place went to Khelcom, a platform that bridges the gap in professional-level sports data management and athlete development. Founders Sameer Ali Rajper, Qasim Raza, and Irtiza Abbas demonstrated how the venture addresses long-standing structural gaps in sports analytics in Pakistan. The third incubation spot was awarded to LinkEdu, an edtech platform that provides students with access to quality test preparation and mentorship for competitive exams. It is led by founders Hamna Khan, Muhammad Subhan Khatri, and Qazi Muhammad Arham.
Other teams received special mentions, with Sarhad, Quick Fix, and Sync Wellness earning commendations for their ideas and execution. While not immediately selected for incubation, these teams showcased strong business potential and were acknowledged for their thoughtful market positioning and technical preparation.
The Capstone 500 not only marked the academic completion of the entrepreneurship course for KSBL undergraduates but also set a precedent for how higher education institutions can integrate practical startup building into academic curriculum. The initiative reflects KSBL’s commitment to equipping students with the tools, mentorship, and real-world exposure necessary to move beyond theory and into tangible impact. As these early-stage ventures continue to grow, KSBL’s support infrastructure—through mentorship and incubation—aims to further develop these ideas into sustainable businesses. The school’s entrepreneurship programming is quickly emerging as a launchpad for student-led innovation in Pakistan.
