Deadline: 20-Sep-2025
Applications are now open for the Elevate Next Startup Challenge, a national-level competition designed to discover, nurture, and launch the next generation of Pakistani innovators.
The competition welcomes all early-stage startups and idea-stage entrepreneurs in four broad themes: Tech for Good – EdTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, FinTech; Sustainable Ventures – Green Energy, Circular Economy, Waste Management; Social Impact Startups – Women Empowerment, Disability Inclusion, Rural Development; Creative & Digital Economy – E-commerce, Content Creation, AI Solutions.
It is open to participants at two stages: Pre-Seed for idea-stage entrepreneurs with defined concepts yet to launch operations, and Seed for startups operating less than 24 months, with a prototype or early customer traction.
Awards and benefits include cash prizes of up to PKR 300,000 for winners in each category and for the Viewers’ Choice award, two months of guided mentorship with field experts for the top 20 startups, and access to pitch to local and overseas angel investors after the mentorship phase. Additional benefits include brand visibility through SIF digital media and marketing partners as well as fast-track referrals to incubators and accelerators.
The eligibility criteria require applicants to be aged 18–36, with teams ensuring at least 50% of members are within this range. Both local Pakistanis and overseas Pakistanis willing to operate in the country are eligible. Team size must range between 1 to 5 members. For Pre-Seed applicants, ideas must be well-defined but not yet operational, while Seed startups must have a prototype, MVP, or early customer traction and be under 24 months old.
Startups and ideas will be judged on innovation and creativity, problem-solving, feasibility and scalability, impact, and the quality of their presentation and pitch. The registration fee ranges from PKR 1,000 to 2,000 depending on the category, and the last date to register is 20 September 2025. The top 20 startups selected will undergo a two-month mentorship period with experts in their respective fields, after which they will have the opportunity to pitch to both local and overseas angel investors.
For more information, visit SIF.
