- Web Desk
- Feb 15, 2025

Freedom Pitch 2024: empowering young entrepreneurs in KP
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- Waqas Buneri
- Oct 22, 2024

PESHAWAR: The Freedom Pitch 2024, a dynamic two-day entrepreneurial event, successfully concluded, at the Business Incubation Center, University of Peshawar. Despite challenges due to a week-long internet suspension, the event took place on schedule, attracting over 300 participants from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, representing all the major universities in the region.
Organized by National Influencers and supported by Business Incubation Center, Makka Agency, Students for Liberty, Ladies of Liberty Alliance, Liberty International and 3S dealer of Honda Motorcycles Peshawar, the event aimed to empower graduate and undergraduate students by addressing regulatory challenges in Pakistan, developing policy proposals, and promoting entrepreneurship.
The event featured 150 selected youth from a diverse educational background. They participated in a series of discussions, workshops, and the centerpiece of the event – a business plan competition with a prize of PKR 100,000.
Keynote speeches and interactive sessions were delivered by distinguished speakers, including: Atif Shehzad (CEO of Makka Agency), Adnan Jalil (CEO of Al-Jabran Enterprises), Dr Malik Shakeel Khan (Focal Person at BIC), Dr Hashim Khan (Marketing Specialist and Lecturer IMS), Arbab Abdul Wahid (CEO Brayt Enterprises), and Dr Fareeha Sami (Assistant Professor at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar).
Each speaker shared their entrepreneurial journeys, discussing international practices and the need to foster an environment of innovation in Pakistan. Their insights greatly inspired the participants to think critically about how to overcome the regulatory and financial hurdles young entrepreneurs face.
From an initial pool of 336 applicants, 8 finalists were shortlisted to pitch their business ideas in front of an esteemed panel of judges. After careful deliberation, the top three winners were announced during the closing ceremony:
1. Winner: Zarghun, a groundbreaking business initiative focused to empower the people of Peshawar with sustainable, climate-friendly gardening options by providing easy access to seasonal plants, vegetables and flowers tailored to local environmental needs, promoting greener urban spaces
2. 1st Runner-up: UPFLEX, which proposed to empower the people of Peshawar with sustainable, climate-friendly gardening options by providing easy access to seasonal plants, vegetables and flowers tailored to local environmental needs, promoting greener urban spaces
3. 2nd Runner-up: Medic Patron, recognized for its innovative approach to connect people to quality healthcare across borders and promote Medical Tourism.
The winners were awarded prizes and recognition for their outstanding entrepreneurial ideas, and the competition helped them to connect with potential mentors and investors.
Muhammad Sulaiman, the President of National Influencers, expressed his gratitude to all participants and sponsors, stating, “Freedom Pitch 2024 was a testament to the creativity and resilience of Pakistan’s youth. These young innovators are the future of entrepreneurship, and we are excited to see how their ideas will develop into successful ventures that will contribute to the economic growth of the region.”
The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, leaving the participants energised and motivated to take the next steps in their entrepreneurial journeys.
Freedom Pitch 2024 is an annual business competition that encourages young entrepreneurs across Pakistan to present innovative business ideas and solutions to regulatory challenges. The event provides participants with the opportunity to engage with industry experts, develop policy proposals, and compete for seed funding to kickstart their ventures.
