EcOlivia, a startup co-founded by Israr Afridi and part of Cohort 3 at the Business Incubation Center at the University of Peshawar, has reached the Top 30 finalists of the 13th Wafi Tameer Awards 2026. The center congratulated him and his team, saying the result reflects the innovation, entrepreneurial ambition, and dedication shown by its Cohort 3 startups. The news comes days after the center celebrated Elaj Ghar, founded by Shawal Zahid, which also reached the finalist list from the same cohort.
Two finalists from one university incubator is a notable result in a national competition. The Top 30 were chosen from more than 700 applications representing 56 districts across Pakistan, so every place is contested by founders from many cities and fields. The Wafi Tameer Awards are run by Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited and recognize young entrepreneurs and innovators working on real problems. For the center, having two Cohort 3 startups in the finalist group points to the quality of the founders it supports in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
EcOlivia’s tagline points to a focus on farmers, livelihoods, and a greener future, though the announcement did not describe the product or say which award category the startup entered. The finalists now move to the Final Pitch Day, to be held on November 5, 2026, at Wafi House in Karachi, where each of the 30 will present to a panel and winners will be named across the awards’ categories. A trip to Karachi to pitch before a national panel gives the Peshawar founders exposure to investors, industry leaders, and other young founders, whatever the final result.
The center wished Israr Afridi and his team the very best for the event. For the Business Incubation Center, the two finalist places add to its record in its first years of operation, and they give its newer cohorts a clear example of what founders from the university can achieve on a national stage.
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