PAKATHON
Learn more about how we're making this happen
Expanding Clinical Trials to Pakistan
Maham Siraj & Irtaza Haider, CReSP
CResP solves the high costs of the US pharmaceutical industry by creating and auditing a network of quality clinical research sites in Pakistan that can offer clinical trials at lower cost. CRESP’s founders are Maham Siraj, a Master's student at Harvard University and Irtaza Haider a graduate of UC Berkley. They have 12 years of combined experience working in the US Biotech industry.
Authenticating Medicines
Saim Siddiqui, Founder of ProCheck
After pitching his idea for a mobile phone based platform for the serialization of authentic medicines at our hackathon, Saim Siddiqui founded Karachi-based ProCheck. Saim left Toronto to work on building the company in Pakistan. Partnered with one of the country's leading manufacturer of medicines, ProCheck allows more than 50,000 patients access to genuine medicines.
Empowering Professional Women
Hira Rizvi, Founder of She'Kab
Hira founded She'Kab, a subscription carpooling service for professional women in Islamabad. By working with the city's existing taxi infrastructure, the company allows 800 women to commute safely. After graduating from Georgia Tech, Hira worked with mentors and Pakathon to scale her business.
Helping Pregnant Women
Kamil Shafiq and Israa Nasir, Founders of Ammi Service
Kamil and Israa from Team Ammi won first place at Pakathon's 2015 Global Finals in Toronto. Their product helps provide critical information regarding maternal care to pregnant women. Pakathon helped them apply into the Invest2Innovate accelerator program in Islamabad. The team has been accepted into the fall program and have moved to Pakistan.
Training Teachers
Ahmed Tariq Khan
Ahmed participated in Pakathon’s hackathon event in Boston in 2014 while he was still working for Fidelity Investments. In 2015, Ahmed moved back to Pakistan and is currently working to launch a teacher training company to improve educational standards in Pakistan and is rolling out a pilot with Lecole, a private educational institute in Pakistan.
Sustainable Energy Solutions
Fatima Fasih, EcoEnergy
"Thanks to Pakathon, I was introduced to my current boss, Jeremy Higgs from EcoEnergy. I had always been passionate about energy issues in Pakistan and so decided to apply and eventually work for this company that provides affordable, accessible and sustainable energy solutions to those that live in off-grid Pakistan. My role allows me to visit interior, rural Pakistan and understand the needs and wants of Pakistanis that live in complete darkness because of lack of electricity. After living as an overseas Pakistani all my life, it was this invisible nudge by Pakathon that pushed me into moving to Pakistan and work for greater impact."
Partners
Press
This is what your journey could look like
Phase One
Boston: You want to work on a project in Pakistan
You are based outside of Pakistan and want to do meaningful work in Pakistan. Come to events hosted by your local chapter or start your own.
Phase Two
You are ready to start your journey to Pakistan
You're still in Boston. When you're ready to move back to Pakistan, apply to our Returners Program through the application form on our website. If you think this is not for you, you might consider being a volunteer or donor to help others who are moving back.
Phase Three
Karachi
You have landed in Karachi. We will be checking in with you at least once a month to help you with your goals and whether you need any other connections outside of the accelerator program you have gotten into.
Phase Four
Your company is maturing and hitting milestones
We will evaluate your company for a potential investment of $10 - 50K.
Leadership
We work hard to cultivate an open entrepreneurial ecosystem
Asad Badruddin
President
Azhar Rizvi
Chairman
Core Team
Faizan Diwan
Boston Lead
Myra Khan
Toronto Co-Lead
Ayisha Memon
Toronto Co-Lead
Sughra Mehdi
Dubai Lead
Akbar Agha
Chicago Lead
Danesh Gilani
Washington DC Co-Lead
Rustom Birdie
Bay Area Co-Lead
Osman Khan
New York City Co-Lead
Saroosh Gull
New York City Co-Lead
Ramiz Khan
Director of Operations
Vajiha Sipra
Global PR Lead
Taha Jalil
Global Software Lead
Ali Taiyeb
Global Partnership Lead
Qarib Kazmi
Pakistan Partnerships
Juhi Jaferi
Global Design Lead
Advisory Committee
Dilawer Syed
President, Freshdesk, President OPEN Global, Member of President Obama's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans
Imran Sayeed
MIT Faculty member; started and sold two companies. Former Head of Innovation at NTT Data, Founding Member OPEN
Rehan Jalil
Founder and President of cloud security company Elastica; sold to BlueCoat for $280 million. Previously founder of WiChorus
Jay Corless
Senior Advisor, United Nations Foundation. Advocacy and funds mobilization with governments, private sector and civil society
Fawzia Naqvi
VP Soros Economic Development Fund with expertise structuring and implementing investment strategies
Naeem Zamindar
Pakistan Country Director and CEO Acumen Fund, former CEO Wateen Telecom
Shoaib Zaidi
Dean, School of Science and Engineering at Habib University; Co-Creator of 23 US patents
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