The Shahjehan Syed Karim Incubation Centre (SSKIC) at IoBM hosted the graduation ceremony of its fourth Cohort on Saturday, July 12, 2025. It marked a significant milestone for five promising startups poised to make an impact across various sectors. The event celebrated the successful completion of their intensive incubation journey, equipping them with the tools and mentorship needed to thrive in Pakistan's dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.
The ceremony was graced by esteemed guests, including Mr. Talib Karim, President IoBM; Prof. Dr. Tariq Rahim Soomro, Rector IoBM; Mr. Zubair Tufail, CEO of Tufail Chemical Industries Ltd., who served as the Guest of Honour, and Syed Azfar Hussain, Project Director of the National Incubation Centre (NIC), who was present as the Start-Up Choice Mentor. Their presence underscored the growing synergy between academia, industry, and the startup ecosystem in fostering innovation and economic growth. Present on the occassion were IoBM's Dr. Seema Ansari, Director ORIC; Ms. Juveria Baig, HoD, Internship, Placement and International Office; along with guests and team members of the graduation startups.
During his address, Mr. Talib Karim, admired Tufail Industries' consistent support for IoBM. He reflected on the economic conditions in 2020 when the Cohort program began, recalling concerns about a saturated job market and the challenges youth faced in finding employment. He noted that recent years had seen mergers and acquisitions further shrinking the job market. To address this, IoBM decided to aim for 20% of its graduates to emerge as startups, thereby becoming job creators rather than merely job seekers. He explained their decision to launch a degree program focused on entrepreneurship, linking it directly with SSKIC. Mr. Talib Karim advised startups to concentrate on scaling their ideas. He also stressed the need for business schools to write case studies on failed startups, allowing emerging entrepreneurs to learn from past mistakes. He concluded by appreciating Raza Abbas's efforts, which led to IoBM becoming the Pakistan Chapter for UNESCO EE NET.
When speaking on the occasion, Mr. Zubair Tufail commended the innovative ideas brought forth by youth-led startups. He urged industrialists to step up and continue contributing to the SSKIC-IoBM Cohorts to support these budding ventures. Congratulating the young entrepreneurs on their Cohort 4 graduation, he affirmed that Tufail Industries will continue to support this initiative at IoBM. Mr. Zubair Tufail also touched upon the reasons for companies leaving Pakistan, noting that overseas Pakistanis' remittances are crucial for maintaining economic stability. He advised the youth to identify new global trends and observe the changes unfolding in the USA, Europe, and Asia. He expressed optimism about the growing economy, encouraging Pakistani students and startups to pursue opportunities in line with these trends.
Syed Azhar Hussain, thanked President IoBM, Mr. Talib Syed Karim, for his vision in initiating the Cohort sessions five years ago. He noted that this ecosystem was created to foster a community of startups that can engage with industry and mentors, providing opportunities to scale their businesses. He observed the progress of the cohorts over time and extended his best wishes to the graduating cohort.
Earlier, during his welcome address, Mr. Raza Abbas, HoD, SSKIC-IoBM, emphasized that this graduation ceremony marks a new journey for the incubatees to contribute to Pakistan's economic landscape. He also paid tribute to the legacy of IoBM's late Founder President, Shahjehan Syed Karim. Mr. Raza Abbas highlighted that Cohort 4 incubatees gained valuable industry insights and are now prepared to become job creators. He acknowledged that entrepreneurship is rarely a straightforward path and encouraged the incubatees to follow their passion, continuously learn from mentors, expand their professional networks, remain humble, and give back to the community.
Syed Sehal Masoor, the valedictorian and Founder of Bioraff, described his journey as transformative. He stated that this graduation ceremony celebrates those who dared to chase their dreams. He acknowledged the SSKIC-IoBM team for their unwavering support to the startups and urged everyone to maintain belief and continue working hard.
The graduating startups from SSKIC Cohort 4 represent a diverse range of innovative ideas and dedicated teams. They are:
Throughout their time at SSKIC, these startups received comprehensive support, including mentorship, access to resources, and networking opportunities, enabling them to refine their business models and develop viable solutions. The graduation ceremony not only acknowledges their hard work and dedication but also signals their readiness to contribute to the nation's progress through their entrepreneurial ventures. The event was organized by the SSKIC-IoBM team under the guidance of Mr. Raza Abbas with support from his team including Agha Muhammad Hassaan, Syed Abdul Rafay and Maham Saleem.