Aga Khan Economic Planning Board for Pakistan has announced the opening of registrations for the Entrepreneur Mentorship Programme (EMP) Bootcamp 2025, designed to empower early-stage entrepreneurs, ideation-stage founders, and small growing businesses (SGBs). The program is structured as an intensive three-day journey that combines mentorship, training, and networking opportunities with a strong focus on investor readiness.
EMP is more than a mentorship initiative—it is a launchpad aimed at helping founders redefine problem statements, align with market needs, and prepare their ventures for scale. By equipping participants with the right skills, strategies, and tools, the program ensures that businesses are ready to compete for larger investments and access incubation opportunities. With tailored professional mentorship, EMP is set to guide participants in advancing their entrepreneurial journeys while strengthening their ability to innovate, sustain, and expand.
The program specifically welcomes founders and co-founders between the ages of 18 and 45, with startups already at prototype or validation stage, beyond just an idea. A unique eligibility condition is that the core team of applicants must belong to the Ismaili community, reflecting the initiative’s focus on uplifting and supporting talent within the community.
EMP Bootcamp invites ventures across a wide range of sectors, including trading, manufacturing, healthcare, ICT, agriculture, tourism, construction, green businesses, and other innovative industries. Applicants are expected to present legal and sustainable business ideas that carry the potential for growth and market impact.
One of the most significant features of the program is its accessibility. Training, mentorship, and professional guidance are provided free of cost, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder promising entrepreneurs from joining. Participants, however, are required to self-arrange travel and stay, which makes the opportunity highly affordable and within reach for motivated founders across the region.
The EMP Bootcamp will be hosted across two locations in Gilgit-Baltistan: Hunza/Gilgit and Ishkoman Puniyal/Gupis Yasin. These areas, rich in culture and entrepreneurial spirit, are strategically chosen to attract aspiring business leaders from diverse communities. By bringing such opportunities to regions outside of traditional startup hubs, the program reinforces its mission of inclusivity and regional empowerment.
Beyond mentorship, the program emphasizes core entrepreneurial pillars—innovation, scalability, and sustainability. Participants will receive guidance on how to refine their business models, identify investment opportunities, and position their startups for long-term growth. Through expert sessions and peer learning, founders will also gain insights into market trends, customer acquisition strategies, and operational best practices critical for achieving traction.
The application deadline for EMP Bootcamp is October 10, 2025. Interested founders can register online to secure their spot in this competitive program. With its focus on mentorship, investor readiness, and community-driven empowerment, EMP Bootcamp is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs from northern Pakistan and beyond.
By creating an ecosystem where startups and small businesses are nurtured with professional guidance, the Entrepreneur Mentorship Programme is not only supporting individual ventures but also contributing to Pakistan’s broader entrepreneurial landscape. Initiatives like EMP demonstrate how tailored mentorship and community-driven support can create lasting impact, equipping entrepreneurs with the confidence and resources to take their ideas from prototype to scalable business success.
