More than 80 young men and women presented innovative business ideas during the regional round of the World Startup Championship 2026 in Gilgit, organizers said.
The pitching session, held at uFusion Pvt. Ltd., brought together aspiring entrepreneurs from across Gilgit-Baltistan as part of SEE Pakistan’s efforts to empower the next generation of innovators.
The World Startup Championship 2026, a flagship initiative of the SEE Pakistan Entrepreneurial Expo, is the country’s largest platform for entrepreneurship and innovation. Business Incubation Center KIU is the Community Partner for SEE Pakistan. The program aims to connect students, startup founders, industry leaders and investors to accelerate innovative ideas and promote economic growth.
A panel of industry experts and academics evaluated startup ideas spanning multiple sectors. The judging panel included Ghulam Rehman, founder of Needs Online. and The Gignomist, Muhammad Iqbal, CEO of Ideo Matrix; Salar Hussain, CEO of uFusion; Naeem Sardar, co-founder of Uconnect; Shaukat Hayat, co-founder of Tech Alphalogix; Rahila Karim, business analyst; and faculty members from Karakoram International University, including Director BIC Kaleemullah Dar, Dr. Zaigam Ali, Dr. Naveed Ahmed, Ammar Hussain, Dr. Razia Arif and Rubi Alam.
Winners from the regional competition will advance to the national and international rounds. Top-performing startups will receive opportunities for mentorship, investor engagement, strategic partnerships and prizes.
“Whether you’re a startup founder, innovator or dreamer, this is your moment to shine,” organizers said in a statement. said Muhammad Ali Khan,, Program Manager See Pakistan.
The championship includes startup exhibitions, live pitching sessions, investor networking, mentorship and funding opportunities. Participants also receive expert feedback to strengthen their business models and improve their readiness for growth and investment.
The event management team, Manager Muhammad Ali Khan, Team Lead Muhammad Umar and Director ORIC — KIU Kaleemullah Dar, thanked the judges for their contributions and support in promoting entrepreneurship and innovation among the youth of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Regional rounds are continuing across Pakistan, with the international finale scheduled for later this year. Organizers said the initiative aims to position Pakistani startups on the global stage by providing exposure, networking opportunities and access to the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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