In a major step toward strengthening Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, Fatima Gobi Ventures (FGV) has partnered with the Centre for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi. The collaboration aims to help young entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into scalable ventures that contribute to Pakistan’s new economy.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the IBA City Campus by Dr. Lalarukh Ejaz, Director of CED, and Mr. Naiel Ikram, Partner at Fatima Gobi Ventures, in the presence of representatives from both organizations.
Through this strategic partnership, CED and FGV aim to bridge the gap between academia and the investment community, offering students and early-stage founders access to mentorship, investor networks, and real-world insights into venture building.
“Entrepreneurship thrives at the intersection of innovation and opportunity,” said Dr. Lalarukh Ejaz. “By working with FGV, we’re ensuring that our young entrepreneurs have the exposure, resources, and guidance they need to build businesses that scale, not just survive.”
FGV, one of Pakistan’s most active venture capital firms, brings a wealth of experience in investing across diverse technology sectors. Its partnership with CED is designed to nurture investor-ready founders, improve access to capital, and foster collaboration between academia and industry experts.
According to Naiel Ikram, Partner at Fatima Gobi Ventures, “Our collaboration with IBA CED underscores our commitment to supporting the next generation of Pakistani founders. By aligning educational programs with market realities, we can create a stronger, more sustainable startup ecosystem.”
The partnership will involve joint workshops, mentorship sessions, and startup pitch events, providing entrepreneurs with both the technical and financial literacy required to grow their businesses. It also reflects a shared vision between academia and investors to build a robust pipeline of innovation-driven ventures that can contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s digital and economic transformation.
This initiative represents a significant move toward building a more inclusive and growth-oriented entrepreneurial ecosystem, where students, researchers, and early-stage founders can collaborate with venture investors and industry leaders to bring ideas to life.
By leveraging IBA’s legacy of entrepreneurial education and FGV’s venture capital expertise, the collaboration is set to unlock new opportunities for Pakistan’s next generation of innovators and startup leaders, shaping a future where creativity, capital, and capability come together to drive national progress.
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