Edversity makes history as first Pakistani finalist at Asia’s leading student startup competition

BANGKOK, Thailand: In a groundbreaking achievement for Pakistan’s startup and education ecosystem, Edversity, from Pak-Austria Fachhochschule: Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (PAF-IAST) has made history by reaching the grand finals of the Bangkok Business Challenge (BBC) 2025, Asia’s longest-running global student startup competition.

Edversity emerged as a standout among 86 elite universities from 16 countries, ultimately ranking in the Top 4 global finalists—a category that included the prestigious Harvard University, this year’s overall winner.

This marks the first time in 23 years that a Pakistani team has reached the final stage of the competition. Founded by Saad Siddiqui, Edversity is Pakistan’s leading tech-education startup, dedicated to empowering youth with job-ready skills in AI, Blockchain, and Web3.

Under Saad’s leadership, the company has trained over 12,000 students across Pakistan and the Middle East and has been recognized by both the Prime Minister and President of Pakistan for its transformative work in digital upskilling.

 “We didn’t just compete; we challenged the world’s best,” said Saad Siddiqui, founder of Edversity. “This was about showing the global stage that innovation thrives in Pakistan, and our youth are ready to lead the future of tech and entrepreneurship.”

The Bangkok Business Challenge is co-hosted by the Sasin School of Management and SCG, attracting the most promising student-led startups from around the world. The 2025 edition focused on startups solving real-world problems with scalable, sustainable solutions.

Edversity’s performance in the competition demonstrated Pakistan’s growing stature in global innovation, signaling that the country’s next generation of entrepreneurs is prepared to take bold ideas beyond borders. The team’s success has already drawn attention from global investors and institutions seeking to collaborate with impact-driven startups from the Global South.

This moment is not just a win for Edversity, it’s a defining milestone for Pakistan’s startup ecosystem.

About Edversity:

Edversity is Pakistan’s fastest-growing edtech startup focused on bridging the digital skills
gap in emerging markets. Through live courses, AI-driven mentorship, and global industry
partnerships, Edversity empowers youth with future-forward skills in emerging tech, including
AI, Web3, and cybersecurity.

PAF-IAST:

Pak-Austria Fachhochschule: Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology is one of
Pakistan’s leading applied sciences institutions, known for its German-Austrian collaborative
model of industry-aligned education, fostering innovation and research excellence.