24/05/2026
Ideas don't fail because they're weak. They fail because no one shows the founder the way.
Two out of every three Pakistanis are under 30, and the ideas are already here. What founders need is guidance.
That was the spirit at IBA CED as we brought together our newest wave of ambitious founders and distinguished industry leaders for our Mentor-Mentee Kickoff Session.
In his opening remarks, Muhammad Hassan Khan, Associate Director IBA CED, made the case plainly. Startups with strong mentorship are roughly twice as likely to survive their first five years. That is the gap this program exists to close. Following an insightful program overview by Dr. Kanza Sohail, Incubation Lead, the event moved into dynamic 1-on-1 sessions where founders and seasoned experts tackled real challenges and mapped out growth strategies.
Cohort 2 brings together 20 founders building real solutions across AI-driven healthcare, fintech, agritech, and sustainable manufacturing, each matched 1-on-1 with the right mentor.
This is how we drive entrepreneurial success. Looking forward to the milestones this cohort will achieve.