A panel of expert judges at PLAN9’s 10th Launchpad, Lahore Chapter declared Nazdeeq, Noerric, Studentary, BagAdverts, TeamUp, Her Ground, Virtual Eye, Foodappa and RC Health Care startups as successful, which will be incubated for a period of six months.
Laraib Ali CEO and founder of ‘Studentary’ told The Nation that Studenary is about buying and selling the old books. “The old books which usually going to be wasted will get potential buyers through our services,”
“Previously we ran our pilot project in five universities including LUMS, LSE, FC, UMT, and UCP. Now we are going to launch our incubator in August,” Laraib said.
He said Plan9 which is Pakistan’s largest technology incubator will help us to reach out our voice to maximum number of people and we could fulfill in our mission which is to save the old books.
Discussing his business model Laraib said we mark some percentage and build a link between buyer and seller. LUMS Center of Enterpreneuship financed the project and motivated Laraib to flourish the idea at bigger level.
Laraib have a team of dedicated people who also weighed his mission to save the old books. He has business statistics degree from England.
During the past five years Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB)’s project Plan9 incubated 130 startups, created 1000 jobs, attracted $2.5 million investment and generated $70 million accumulated valuation.
PITB Chairman Dr Umar Saif said while addressing the concluding ceremony of Plan9’s 10th Launchpad.
He said that it was encouraging that for 10th cycle more than 1000 applications received and among them 150 were shortlisted for competition, which resulted in nine declared successful for the 10th Launchpad for incubation, which was the future of Pakistan.
Dr Umar Saif further said: “When Plan9 was established, people came in with dreams which looked improbable but we are proud that we were able to establish a platform through which they could realize their dreams. This is a platform which allows, a common Pakistani a chance to make their mark in the world. I hope the entrepreneurial ecosystem flourishes and we get to see Pakistani startups making it big in the world.”
US Consul General Yuriy Fedkiw, accompanied by Ann Mason and Meghan Mercier, also attended the event.
While talking to the young entrepreneurs, he said: “I hope many of you here today will take your ideas, implement them and soon we’ll be using your products. Whether you win or lose today, keep celebrating the dreamer in you and keep pursuing your dreams.”
