Two startups from NICKarachi’s Cohort 13 have been awarded PKR 500,000 each at the Sindh Innovative Startups Exhibition 2025, organized by Sindh HEC in collaboration with FPCCI Karachi. ECOPLAST and RobAutoSTEM, both early-stage ventures with high-impact visions, stood out among several participants for their focus on real-world solutions through innovation in sustainability and education technology. Their success highlights the potential emerging from local incubation programs and the growing support system for startup development in the region.
ECOPLAST, founded by Warisha Malik, Wareesha Atif, Laiba Waheed, and Amna Naz Shuhaiber, is focused on developing eco-conscious alternatives to conventional plastic. The startup is rooted in the need for sustainable materials and aims to reduce environmental harm through biotech-driven innovation. Their work addresses an increasingly urgent global challenge—plastic pollution—while providing locally viable solutions. With an emphasis on scientific application and environmental responsibility, ECOPLAST is creating momentum around sustainable product development in Pakistan.
RobAutoSTEM, founded by Dr. Riaz Uddin and Humayun Naveed Khan, is making strides in transforming the learning experience for school students by integrating robotics and STEM-based modules. The startup is designing educational tools and curricula that foster curiosity and critical thinking, with a strong focus on hands-on learning. Their goal is to create a foundational shift in how science and technology are taught in classrooms, using automation and interactive platforms to increase student engagement. By promoting STEM education through accessible tools, RobAutoSTEM is contributing to workforce readiness and future-focused learning.
The recognition and funding awarded to both startups reflect the strategic direction of startup development initiatives currently underway in Sindh. NICKarachi, a national incubation center, has played a key role in nurturing these ventures from concept to pitch stage. Their presence at the exhibition not only demonstrated product-market relevance but also showcased the value of structured mentorship and incubation programs in accelerating innovation. The exhibition offered a platform where academic, industrial, and public sector entities intersected to spotlight early-stage businesses ready to scale.
Support from Sindh HEC and FPCCI Karachi was instrumental in organizing the exhibition and ensuring visibility for high-potential ventures. The event drew attention to the importance of collaborative platforms that connect entrepreneurs with funding, validation, and industry insight. By awarding grants to ECOPLAST and RobAutoSTEM, these institutions reinforced the notion that targeted financial support can serve as a catalyst for innovation, particularly when aligned with societal needs such as environmental sustainability and educational advancement.
Both ECOPLAST and RobAutoSTEM exemplify a rising cohort of Pakistani entrepreneurs driven by purpose and equipped with the tools to solve challenges in meaningful ways. Their achievements at the exhibition contribute to the narrative that impactful innovation is not only possible but thriving in Pakistan, thanks to the growing support from incubators, government institutions, and collaborative networks.
