The recently concluded ESO Masterclass, Designing Investment Readiness Intensive Programs, emerged as a significant success in Karachi. Led by the highly respected Maria Carolina Romero, in collaboration with The World Bank, this two-day workshop was designed to enhance the capabilities of Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs) in developing effective investment readiness programs.

The masterclass addressed a range of vital topics essential for fostering a thriving startup ecosystem. Key discussions included defining investment readiness, identifying startup and investor personas, understanding the dynamics of fundraising, integrating gender considerations into programming, promoting team cohesion, enhancing investor engagement, mastering budget management, and implementing strong monitoring and evaluation systems.

The event benefited from the participation of representatives from notable organizations like National Incubation Centers (NICs), TiE Lahore, Jazz, and INNOventures Global Pvt Ltd, who shared valuable insights and diverse perspectives. The collaborative efforts of all attendees, trainers, and the implementing team were crucial in making this masterclass a resounding success.

As Pakistan continues to grow its startup ecosystem, initiatives like this masterclass are critical for ensuring that ESOs have the necessary skills to prepare startups for investment opportunities and long-term success.