With support from the U.S. Mission to Pakistan, the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), in strategic partnership with LMKT, hosted a five-day masterclass June 23-27, 2025 titled “Mastering the Business Life Cycle” at the National Incubation Center (NIC) Karachi.
This in-residence program brought together over 40 U.S. exchange alumni from across Pakistan, representing all 14 PUAN chapters and a range of sectors including technology, manufacturing, services, and social entrepreneurship. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Scott Urbom, U.S. Consul General in Karachi, noted that the masterclass would drive long-term economic progress beyond its five-day span.
Vice Chancellor of NED University, Professor Dr. Muhammad Tufail, highlighted that entrepreneurship is the future of Pakistan’s economy and emphasized that such programs empower promising individuals to lead economic progress.
The day began with an engaging session on Understanding the Business Lifecycle, led by Syed Azfar Hussain, Project Director at NIC Karachi, who walked participants through the critical stages of business growth, sustainability, and transformation.
This was followed by a dynamic workshop on Building Sustainable Business Models, conducted by Muhammad Salik Khan, Head of Incubation at NIC Karachi, helping participants explore strategies to design resilient ventures rooted in real market value.
The afternoon featured a compelling panel discussion on Challenges in Business Growth, moderated by Andeel Ali, with insights from Sara Munir, Syed Naseh, and Furqan Qureshi — all of whom brought diverse experience in scaling startups, operations, marketing, and innovation across Pakistan’s evolving business landscape.
We wrapped up with a focused mentorship session on Operations & HR, led by Khizer Ahmed, Founder of Kaacib and Hukum Janab, who shared practical frameworks and people-first strategies to strengthen startup foundations.
Throughout the week, participants engaged in expert-led sessions, interactive training, exposure visits, and collaborative workshops designed to equip them with practical tools for scaling businesses, building brands, managing risks, and leading effectively.
Stay tuned for updates as the masterclass continues to unfold, showcasing a week of learning, innovation, and impact.
