More than 300 student-led startups from universities across Sindh competed in the regional round of the World Startup Championship - SEE Pakistan 2026 at NED University of Engineering and Technology, seeking a route to the national stage and an opportunity to turn their ideas into viable businesses. Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited sponsored the regional competition through Tameer, its social-investment initiative, in partnership with NED University, according to a press release issued on Tuesday. The World Startup Championship is an annual international entrepreneurship competition and exhibition designed to create opportunities for students and young innovators to develop their ideas into businesses.

The Sindh regional round gave aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their concepts, interact with industry leaders and receive expert feedback. Participants also competed for advancement to the national stage of the championship.

The event brought together academia, industry and emerging businesses at a time when Pakistan's entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to develop. The collaboration was intended to provide young innovators with access to platforms where ideas can be tested and developed into sustainable ventures. Imran Qureshi, Director Corporate and Government at Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited, said young entrepreneurs possessed the ideas, ambition and resilience needed to address some of Pakistan's pressing challenges. 'We are committed to giving them access to the platforms and opportunities they need to transform those ideas into sustainable businesses,' Qureshi said.

He added that the collaboration with NED University and SEE Pakistan reflected the company's view that supporting young innovators could contribute to Pakistan's future economic growth. The initiative forms part of Wafi Energy Pakistan's Tameer programme, which focuses on supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.

According to the company, the programme seeks to help young people develop businesses, generate employment and create solutions aimed at contributing to a stronger and more resilient economy. The regional competition's immediate test, however, was more practical: giving more than 300 student ventures from across Sindh the chance to move beyond university-based ideas by exposing them to industry scrutiny, expert assessment and competition for a place at the national stage.